A one word prayer answered in less than 15 minutes

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” Revelation 12:11a

This is the inspiration for the feature sections of the newsletter. “The Blood of the Lamb” to empower you to receive communion during your personal time with God. “The Word of their Testimony” to give you faith to believe that God cares about the circumstances you face, even right now, and will step in on your behalf.

The Word of their Testimony

A one word prayer answered in less than 15 minutes

One of my New Year’s resolutions in 2017 was to pray as soon as I got to work in the morning. We had a racquetball court just inside the front door that was the perfect spot to get on my knees and pray. The time was usually spent praying for leadership, my direct reports, important projects or business needs and the overall health and safety of our associates. I didn't spend more than 5 minutes a day, but I didn't miss a day.

A few years in I was going through a really difficult time at work and at home, it felt so overwhelming at the time. One morning when I arrived at work, I couldn’t pray for anyone, the only thing I could muster was a one word prayer… help. The time I spent on my knees was brief. Afterwards, I went to my desk to drop off my bag and start my computer, then headed to the café for some coffee.

While on the way back to my desk, with a cup of java hand, I was stopped by a coworker. He told me he appreciated me and gave me a high five. Then another coworker gave me a hug. A few minutes later someone else brought me cookies, what is going on? As I sat down and started to read my emails, I noticed a few messages of encouragement in my inbox. Reading them, still wondering what was going on, I noticed they were replies to an email I sent, but I didn't write that email. Come to find out when I left my desk to get coffee a coworker sent an all-company email from my account! The subject line read, Need Encouragement and the body of the email expressed that I was having a bad day. My coworkers practical joke ended up being the instrument God used to remind me how much he cares for me.

The rest of the day was much of the same, high fives and hugs, emails and words of encouragement from caring coworkers. At the end of the day, I replied to the entire company to share how God had answered my prayer. Even though the troubles that were surrounding me in those days did not disappear, I had peace through it because God answered my one word prayer in less than 15 minutes. 

The Blood of the Lamb 

Every time we come to this table we are given the opportunity to celebrate the new covenant. It's an invitation to the new relationship with God mediated by Jesus upon our sincere declaration that he is our Lord and Savior. It's a promise from the father that through the doorway of the cross we can come boldly to the father and become our true selves. 1 Peter 1:3 says praise be to the God and father of our lord Jesus Christ, in his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. We're made new creations, we’re born again by the spirit and he makes all things new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ you are a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come. So my encouragement today to you as you remember and receive, cast off the old and purpose to live in the reality of the new, all that Jesus purchased, all that he as provided for you in this meal.

Body/Bread

For on the night he was betrayed he took the bread and he gave thanks and he broke it and said this is my body which is given for you, do this in remembrance of me. (Receive the bread)

Blood/Wine

Likewise, after supper he took the cup, and Jesus said, this is my blood which confirms the convenient between God and his people for the forgiveness of sins. [Raise your cup.] We are forgiven today and we can stand in the new reality that we are sons and daughters of the living God. (Receive the wine)

In case you missed it

Lyric of the week

“Here I am fully surrendered” 

This struck a cord with me this week. What does being fully surrendered look like in my life? I pray that God would reveal to you what being “fully surrendered” looks like in your life today.

Scripture

In the midst of uncertainty, a verse we can lean on.

Share your story

We would love to hear your story. Share your testimony by emailing us at [email protected]