The Answer To Prayer...

Today was an induction day to the District along with all the other newbies, and the Chair of the District kicked off the day with a reflection on the following story from the New Testament (The Message version, Matthew 9-10):

9:35-38 Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. “What a huge harvest!” he said to his disciples. “How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!”

10:1 The prayer was no sooner prayed than it was answered. Jesus called twelve of his followers and sent them into the ripe fields. He gave them power to kick out the evil spirits and to tenderly care for the bruised and hurt lives.

It's one I've read before, and I've heard teaching on and I've taught, but the application today set in in real context and opened my eyes. Are you ready? Jesus tells his disciples to pray. They pray, and straight away the prayer is answered and the workers and hands are there.

My role is a new role, borne out of vision and prayer, following consultation and a passion to be a church that is active and equipped to serve young people. They prayed for a youth worker, and they prayed for someone like me. Beyond that, the excitement that I have seen in people who had been on their knees at the prospect of what is to come is genuine and it's scary!

I am the answer to someone's prayer...
That means I must be in the right place...
That must mean I am equipped for what is to come...
That must mean that there is a plan and a purpose to this calling...
That means the pressure is on...

That revelation is a simple one, but it has changed my thinking today.

​God help me to continue to be the answer to those prayers!