A SPECIAL MESSAGE
ministry of prayer in action

my mentor, paula rayburn, sat at her kitchen window one morning looking out at the most vacant lots surrounding her square block in alvarado.  she could imagine homes built that would temporarily house abused women and children as they transitioned to a new life.  she worked in community services and counseled many as they came and went (often without all the help they needed).  she was a strong woman of God with a gift of discernment and operated heavily in the ministry of deliverance.  (yes, deliverance is a ministry; one we all need a measure of on occasion.)

that was just a part of her ministry.  she also felt led to do more, as though called to give her life for Jesus.  she formed the ministry of prayer and obtained her authorization from the government, knowing it would take God's guidance alone to accomplish all in her heart.  she officially received her tax-exempt notice in january of 1999.

she has since gone home to our Lord but family and friends continue the work she birthed by one woman's faith in a God of the impossible.

my testimony

unfortunately, i have been in and out of Jesus most of my life.  if i had "stayed in", i would have definitely saved myself much heartache. i suppose it wasn't until 1982 that my lasting commitment began.

i have tried to live my personal witness but never really felt myself "called into ministry".  it wasn't until 1999 when my dear friend paula was led to form the "Ministry of Prayer" -- and somehow she just kind of dragged me along.  i didn't even consent to be on the board for several years -- even though i helped her in every way i could.  i even helped her get her 501(c)3 to be officially recognized as tax exempt.

i have always been kind of a passenger on the bus instead of the driver.  behind-the-scenes is where i feel most useful.  i maintain her websites, do the newsletter, graphics and printing needs.  i have been in the printing industry all my life.

if there are any rewards to be had for my portion, they certainly belong to paula.  and if there is ever any glory, i gladly pass it all up to Jesus.  every time i consider His most precious gift it overwhelms me and tears flow freely.  paula has always said i was a worshiper.

my part

we have since done many wonderful things.  as designated administrator of world outreach, i will only speak of my part and what i know for sure.  our activities have mostly been in nigeria, kenya and in india.  being a small ministry has not limited the scope of lives we touched, influenced and changed.  after all, it only took one Jesus to change the whole world.  it only took - THE Jesus. "therefore God, Your God has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions." psa 45:7b

we have built homes and churches for those desiring to reach the many lost in their own country.  we have built wells for the thirsty and purchased food for the hungry.  we have clothed many of the naked and comforted their grieving hearts.  all this has been done to christian and muslim alike so the love of Christ would be revealed.  and the little children, how He loves the little children and so do we.

the stories i could relate;  stories of battles and victories against witchcraft and demonic activity as the muslims surrounding did all they could to extinguish us and the work.  and now the whole world is waking up to those same spiritual forces.  assuredly we battle not against flesh and blood but spiritual force in high places.  as i look at the state os israel on the map i say, "but God, she is so small."  but our God is enough!

conclusion

now as i look back at all our work i am honestly surprised God could use such a soul as me.  He can use anyone, even you.  our ministry work still continues in it's many works and now God has allowed this simple soul to reach out to a kind of ministry of her own; a prison ministry.  "for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me." matt 25:35-36

how fitting that God would use my dwindling years to fill out the the assignment we all were given.  it is now a race to see which comes first - the rapture or our long awaited reward; to see Jesus face to face.

have any of us ever stopped to consider how many lives our life touches?  and what kind of affect it has had on them.  there's so much i think i should have, could have and wished i had done different.  so much could have been done better.  but we must be as paul.  "forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead" phil 3:13b  we must all press ahead.  as long as there is breath in my body, let it serve His purposes and His glory.

now before anyone tries to think i boast of myself let me make it plainly clear: we are saved by faith in the atoning blood of Jesus alone.  it's possible to have no faith and no works.  it's also possible to have works and no faith.  but it's impossible to have true saving faith and no works.  christianity is not about faith and works either.  salvation begins with faith alone, but genuine christianity is about a faith that works.  "which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." eph 2:10b

one of my frequent, fervent prayers is that God never be ashamed to be called my God.  we are call christians because are supposed to be Christ-like.  not just in the proper places at the proper times but at all times.  i will forever strive to be called a christian and i pray i never cause shame to be cast on that precious name i an called by.