There is a song that has spoken to me lately. One line especially. It says "Break my heart for what breaks yours."
Break my heart.
Do you ever pray this?
Do I?
And if so, when is the last time.
I have often prayed that the Lord would let me see people through His eyes.
I remember two distinct times when this happened.
When I knew without a doubt that He was doing exactly what I asked.
One time was when we were doing an outreach event in Toronto's "Cabbage Town" and were taken into what is called the "tenderloin" area.
We were to be open to the Holy Spirit's leading, and to pray with someone if THEY initiated it, or asked.
I will admit, I was a little scared of the surroundings.
I was taken aback by what I saw.
I did not want to just "make something happen" but really wanted to be in tune with the Holy Spirit.
All of a sudden I knew by what I was experiencing/feeling/seeing through different eyes ~ that I was seeing these young male prostitutes and drag queens through the eyes of Jesus.
And
I
Wept.
The other time I truly experienced the same thing
was when I sat in the church foyer of the church we attended for 32 years, and where I pastored for 7
I sat in the foyer with my special friend Barry
He was dirty
Freezing (it was in the deep cold of winter)
and intoxicated.
He was drinking a coffee slowly.
I sat and chatted with him a little.
At one point he said something to me and I had the STRONG sense that in his round a bout way, he wanted prayer.
The Holy Spirit was pushing me.
(and believe me I know that when the HS pushes, you just HAVE to give in!!)
So I asked him, "Barry do you want me to pray with you."
He said YES and immediately bowed his head.
He all of a sudden seemed totally sober.
He was quiet.
I all of a sudden saw this broken and needy man
through the eyes of Jesus.
I prayed.
He got up and said he was going now.
And sauntered out through the crowd of well dress church people, were giving him room to pass through the foyer conversations to the cold outdoors.
I got up and went into the washroom
And
I
Wept.
When I heard this song - it reminded me again. That we have a responsibility as Christ followers. It is not a choice really. It is something Jesus said we should do! (remember the greatest commandment - Love the Lord your God with all your heart strength and soul and love your neighbour as yourself?"
Matthew 25:44-46: Then they also will answer Him, saying, "Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?" Then He will answer them, saying, "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me." And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.
Oh Jesus ... I pray, please break my heart for what breaks yours. Please. And Holy Spirit - make me in tune to your urges/nudges/convictions to move and act!
Joy, have you heard of love lives here. You would like their ministry!
ReplyDeleteHi Deanna.
ReplyDeleteYes, actually we worked with them once when I was in ministry at McIvor and planned a service night instead of a "church" service. When we prayed with one of the women on the street - after she asked us to - I had to fight back tears.
Are you involved with this ministry?
Joy