These were some of the responses to those Community Group Leaders that prayed over people this past weekend
The reason praying for people this weekend was meaningful
to me was because………..it is also out my comfort zone to ask someone that
I don't know, if they would like me to pray for them. I was a little
nervous when asked to do this on Sunday, but after giving this to God, and
asking the Holy Spirit to guide me, I found much joy in praying for
the women that came to me. I am one of those people who can't always
find the eloquent words that some people have when praying, but God
showed me today that all you need have is a caring heart and will to do
what God asks of us. – Karen
Yes, it was a touching time for me too. Just
standing there up front, seeing so many people come up.... it was impactful,
moving.I have to tell you a funny story that happened later that evening.Pam
and her mom, me and my aunt went out to a Mexican place in Tustin. When
we were done and headed out the door, I turned to say good-bye and this man who
I never saw before was coming out at the same time, and he said (out of the
blue) you can pray for me. He smiled and walked off. My mouth
dropped, and I asked my aunt if I heard him right? Yes, I had, and I just
couldn't get over it. As we got in our car, he drove slowly by, and
I asked if he could wait a minute. He was the passanger, and a woman was
driving. I got out of my car and I said, I'm sorry I looked so surprised,
but we had just come from church and it was all about prayer and then you came
up out of the blue and said that to me. ... His wife told me he always asks
people to pray for him (and he had seen me praying in the restaurant.) with
that, I told him I would pray for him as they drove off. I stood amazed.
God creates such fun intimacy at times! The reason praying for people this
weekend was meaningful to me was because……….. I could almost see the
hidden pain as people came forward. I got choked up, and thanked each
person for taking a risk to come forward (it felt brave for so many) It
was also meaningful because praying for someone, makes me feel very connected
to them in the spirit. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity. – Mindy
I'm blessed to be a blessing. Prayer is what heals me and
I want to extend that healing to others. – Marina
There are so many things that we neglect as a Church! It
is so easy for us to show up on any given Sunday and listen to a
sermon. So seldom do we as a Church have the opportunity to unite as we
did today! We cried together, we celebrated in our weakness, but most of all we
stood together as one in Prayer. As we start this next season, "No One
Stands Alone" I noticed today that we as one body, we will not let anyone
be left behind. – Roger
The person that came to me asked for a physical needs
prayer. I looked into their eyes that had dark circles around them and saw a
glimpse of a seriously real issue a person needed prayer for. This person
has a continued place in my heart and I continue to pray for them. This was meaningful
to me because I cannot overlook the need to pray for others. This is a serious
deal. – Matt
The
reason praying for people this weekend was meaningful to me was because it gave
me the opportunity to get out of my self seeking ways and be of service to another
human being who really needs the pray in their time of need. It was a humble
act where God could use me. It was such an intense feeling to be praying for a
couple who is going through a relational struggle while holding their hands
feeling them tremble. I felt very inspired afterwards. Thank you for the
opportunity to grow. – Jeff
...it
was a chance to let the people of our church know that we stand with them in
any circumstance they may be facing. –Miles
We had to pull in people from Guest Services to help pray
upstairs. Three women came up to me right after Tim's "alter call."
It was one of the most powerful Crossing experiences I have ever been a part of
...Thank you both for your leadership, vision, and hearts! – Nicole
The first and only guy that approached me for prayer was
a single dad there with his son. He told me he had just gone through a divorce
as he was crying. I could also see that his son was struggling with some kind
of pain. I stood there thinking "you have to be kidding me."
Hearing this Dad's story obviously struck a chord personally with me.
As he was sharing and crying, I began to cry and put my hand on his
shoulder and prayed for him and his son. We both stood there, praying through
our tears. Thank you for inviting me to pray and thank God for using my pain to
relate and pray for other hurting fathers dealing with divorce. – Ethen
.....because it made me feel connected to someone I didn't
know seconds before, and after praying and crying with them, I felt like we
were both part of the body of Christ and the Church. – Beth
I don’t want people to feel alone or broken. Where there
are two or more gathered in his name there is God with them, God,
can heal any hurt or brokenness if we ask him for it through prayers.
This was not about me it was about God, and letting those people know he is
with in every step of their life. – Pam
The
reason praying for people this weekend was meaningful to me was because Hearing
the stories of the people I prayed for reminded me of my own brokeness and
how God has helped to heal me and continues to give me peace through my own
struggles. – Robin
It was so awesome praying for people this weekend.
I was a little nervous thinking I wouldn't know what to pray or it
wouldn't be eloquent enough. The cool thing is the Holy Spirit spoke
through me and it was such an awesome experience. I was on fire when I
prayed for the women and it was all God. I pray that the women I prayed
for left the church with their burdens lifted and the peace of God within them.
To see the number of people come forward was amazing. We all carry
our burdens but God says to release them to Him and that is what I felt we
helped these people do yesterday. I learned last Friday that my dad was
diagnosed with leukemia so I know how important prayer is. He isn't a
believer so I carry that burden but God says I am not to be anxious about anything
and to trust in Him. What an awesome God we serve!!!! – Kim
Well, I broke the rule of men with men and women with
women. A sweet old lady asked me to pray for her daughter with severe migraine
headaches. Not going to pass that one up even if I have to deal with you and
Tim out back. This lady had Parkinson’s disease setting in and she never asked
to be prayed for. Her only concern was for her daughter. Kindly pray for her.
It was an honor to hold her shaking hands. – Chris
......only God has the power
for real comfort, real forgiveness, real wisdom and it's awesome to see the
smiles through the tears when someone looks up that you've just prayed
for. I saw those same tears and smiles as my brother said yes to Jesus
later that day, we serve a powerful and wonderful God and 7 years of my prayers
were answered too. Vicki
I prayed with a young lady named
Heather and Saturday night was her FIRST time at The Crossing!!! Wow, how cool
is that and she ended up praying for me at the end... What a complete Blessing
it was for BOTH of us!!! We then directed her to the kiosk to sign up for a
group! God is SO GOOD!!!!! – Monique
The reason praying for people
this weekend was meaningful to me was because everyone has a civil war going on
inside of them. And when someone actually takes the time to pure the Holy
Spirit into them when times are tough, it feels as though both our souls have
been washed clean with tears of joy. – Lisa
….I could impact a family, through the power of The Holy
Spirit. I could feel the need of hope and serenity that only He can
provide. I could reach out to people that are in dire need of His healing
hands, and apply the gifts that He has given me. – Kevil
