Saturday, 3 March 2012

Shock Wave, Madagascar

Mark 11:17
“My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

The night kicked off at 8:00p.m with mission videos attracting the attention of the crowd. Malagasy worship set the mood for the rest of the evening.  It was great to be amongst this nation worshiping and praising God.  It’s alive!  It’s electrifying!  It’s moving!  You can’t listen to their music and stand still, you move to the rhythm with ease.
Sharing my story was a beautiful moment.  My translator was amazing and she spoke with such outstanding character, stressing the words I stressed and using the same tone as I did.
I engaged with the crowd a few times, it was either through applause, a sound of sadness or a gasp of shock. 

It was incredible seeing the Malagasy cry out for the persecuted.  Standing there witnessing hundreds of prayers going up to Heaven, I knew deep within that something was shifting in the spiritual realm.
To see the youth and adults crying out before God to forgive persecutors and strengthened the persecuted was so encouraging.  The Kingdom of God was being shaken with prayers, globally.

The youth were such a blessing because they presented 4 nations that we were focusing on apart from the 10/40 window, Thailand, Nigeria, North Korea and Madagascar.   It was great to see God give them a heart for these nations as they performed their skits and shared information on the countries.
You could tell that minds were being broadened by the knowledge shared.
A young man went up on stage 3 hours into the prayer night and asked the crowd, “Why is it that the Christians are being persecuted to such an extent?”  His voice was emotional and my heart rejoiced because my prayer for the night was that no person will leave this event the same way they entered.
James 5:16 “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

As the night went on a scripture stayed in my mind, “No one can deliver out of my hand.  When I act, who can reverse it?”  Hearing stories of how the persecuted feel our prayers, it strengthened me to know that God’s hand is upon our persecuted brothers and sisters.

Living in freedom, I would encourage you to be thankful for it.  Having a bible to read at any time, confirming coffee dates for bible studies, praying for friends in public and sharing God so openly is something we all take for granted. 
When all you have is a concentration cell, constant beatings, death threats, emotional abuse, family members dying, your children being sent off and no Bible, you just have prayer and you are trusting that God is hearing you because it’s a dark, lonely and tough road.  Psalm 18:18 “but the Lord was my support.”  May they know, may they feel, may they be encouraged to hold onto Jesus’ hand.
This earthly life will soon pass away but the faint reality of eternity is our focal point.
It could be hazy and forgotten but that’s what separates us from every other religion.  We have freedom in God because He chose us to share an everlasting, covenant relationship with Him.  We have an open relationship with Him and we can connect with Him via His Holy Spirit, accepting Him fully.

1 comment:

  1. Hi! Sheri, Congratulation! This is an amazing story! I am encouraged by the way you shared you experience during this prayer event.
    It's good to be back in Tana after 36hours drive from the Xtreme south outreach. Hundreds of people in the very remote area of Bekitro heard the Good news of Jesus Christ. Thanks for your prayer support. We will appreciate your on going prayer for those who have heard the gospel that God will continue to work in their lives. Stay strong and firm - Many blessings! Luc from Madagascar

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