Devoted

This past Sunday was my last Sunday to teach junior high Sunday School (at least for a while). Our church uses a rotation system so the teachers don't get burned out...and I've taught for the last two rotations.

I just had one of my girls - and the one who showed up is the one who usually surprises me (in a really good way) with her insight and deep thoughts. The lesson covered the section of Scripture in Acts where the early church met together and devoted themselves to sharing in prayer and sharing with those in need. (Loose paraphrase.)

We talked about what it meant to be devoted. Her definition was that it meant the people were faithful and consistent in what they did. I thought that was a good way to put it. I asked her if she thought our churches today - not just our immediate church, but churches in general - were really devoted. We decided we are not. Not like that early church in Acts.

Our discussion stuck with me, because just a day earlier, God gave me a new assignment. It's a humbling one. Humbling because He could have given it to anyone and He chose to give it to me. I don't take lightly the responsibility that comes with it.

I want to tell you about it - but there are parts of it I have to respect privately, so I won't go into complete detail.

I have a friend that means so much to me, I couldn't tell you about it if I tried. He's been in my life for years and has been a gift God has used over and over to teach me about Himself. I love him deeply - in the way two kindred hearts love.

And he doesn't follow the Lord.

We talk about it from time to time. He knows where I stand. He knows all the things a person should know about loving Jesus. He was raised in it the same as I was.

And within the past few days, the Lord has laid on my heart an enormous burden to pray for him. To go to war for his heart. To do more than toss a "please speak to him" prayer Heaven's way.

In short, I've been called to devote myself to prayer for this man's heart.

To be faithful to pray - even when my schedule is busy. To be consistent in prayer - even if I don't see anything visibly changing in his life. To press forward when Satan presses back - as I know he will. To not give up - though something more appealing to my prayer life may appear.

It's a huge task. But the potential in his heart is unmistakable. When I think of the things God could do with him if He could have free reign in his life, I get literal goose bumps. How can I not devote myself to prayer?

Sunday, during church, God also pressed on my heart to use the book of Colossians as my template for these prayers. I love these words I just studied and prayed for him. I share them with you today because if you're in the middle of praying for someone's heart, I think these are incredible words to speak:

...we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. - Colossians 1:9-12