All In

Last spring I was in a ladies Bible study by Henry and Richard Blackaby.  One week there was a section on praying as a church that really hammered in the importance of regular meetings.  Now, my church has many activities and outreaches, but in all the years as a member, I could not remember hearing about prayer meetings.  How could that be? 

 **I’ll be honest:  even growing up in church did not stop me from being terrified of praying out loud.  When I had to pray in youth group and later women’s groups, I would start to terror sweat and try to think of what I was going to say before it was my turn. **

 After a few days of thinking about how we don’t meet for prayer, I went to the church Facebook page and sent a message about how we should have prayer meetings, even once or twice a month.  I received a reply that it was a great idea and would be passed on.  I read that and thought, “OK good, I have done my part.  Maybe someone will start this.”  Soon after that I was contacted by our minister of pastoral care, whom I had never met but is now a great friend.  He was so excited for us to get started!  US!  Here is yet another time I was terrified and excited at the same time.  We met throughout the summer to plan, and had our first meeting in August.  On the way to the first prayer meeting, the fear left me.  I knew that God was going to use me in this way, even though I felt inadequate.  Knowing I had to get over fear in order to help others really pushed me. 

Over the last year or two, I have realized that if I want to grow, I will be pushed out of my comfort zone.  If I want to be a help and encouragement to others, it means not sitting on the sidelines.  God put us here to love each other and bring glory to Him.  For the second time in a year, I had to totally rely on God’s power to take an uncomfortable step.  He keeps proving to me that each of these steps is worth it.  Hopefully one of these days I will learn to hear God’s voice and just say, “Sounds great. I’m all in!”