1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:03,600 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:07,880 --> 00:00:12,040 Speaker 2: Welcome to the Entangling Prayer Podcast. I'm Rachel Wojo, and 3 00:00:12,200 --> 00:00:17,520 Speaker 2: each week we unravel life'esnots through prayer. Here you'll find 4 00:00:17,680 --> 00:00:21,799 Speaker 2: practical wisdom and prayer encouragement to guide you through life's 5 00:00:21,800 --> 00:00:26,439 Speaker 2: hardest seasons. Join me as we untangle life's messes together, 6 00:00:27,120 --> 00:00:34,680 Speaker 2: one prayer at a time. Christy, it is such an 7 00:00:34,720 --> 00:00:37,880 Speaker 2: honor to have you on the Untangling Prayer Podcast. Thank 8 00:00:37,920 --> 00:00:40,960 Speaker 2: you so much for being willing to take the time 9 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:42,400 Speaker 2: out of your schedule to do this. 10 00:00:43,040 --> 00:00:45,160 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for having me. I'm looking forward 11 00:00:45,200 --> 00:00:45,800 Speaker 1: to it well. 12 00:00:45,880 --> 00:00:49,880 Speaker 2: I appreciate the work that you do with Samaritan's Purse, 13 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:53,360 Speaker 2: but I wanted to ask you a more personal question 14 00:00:53,600 --> 00:00:57,160 Speaker 2: before we dive into the work at Samaritan's Purse. I 15 00:00:57,280 --> 00:01:01,600 Speaker 2: wondered what your prayer life looked like before you started 16 00:01:01,640 --> 00:01:05,720 Speaker 2: working with Samaritans Perse and then if you saw a 17 00:01:05,920 --> 00:01:09,520 Speaker 2: change as you worked with the organization. 18 00:01:10,160 --> 00:01:13,920 Speaker 1: That's a really good question, and honestly, I'm thrilled to 19 00:01:13,920 --> 00:01:15,240 Speaker 1: be on here and I want to thank you. I 20 00:01:15,319 --> 00:01:17,920 Speaker 1: love your podcast and what you do, But prayer's always 21 00:01:17,920 --> 00:01:21,800 Speaker 1: been a struggle for me. I compare it to I 22 00:01:21,840 --> 00:01:24,760 Speaker 1: was an athlete played soccer. I compare it to reading 23 00:01:24,760 --> 00:01:27,560 Speaker 1: the Bible is like running to me, or lifting, you know, 24 00:01:27,640 --> 00:01:30,880 Speaker 1: something action oriented. You can tangibly take something away. But 25 00:01:30,920 --> 00:01:32,920 Speaker 1: prayer is more like stretching, and I think I've always 26 00:01:32,920 --> 00:01:35,919 Speaker 1: struggled with it even today. I just as an athlete, 27 00:01:35,959 --> 00:01:37,959 Speaker 1: I'd rather go for a run than sit and stretch, 28 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:40,600 Speaker 1: you know, because I think it prayer requires do you 29 00:01:40,640 --> 00:01:42,360 Speaker 1: to stop. I mean, you can pray on the go, 30 00:01:42,480 --> 00:01:44,920 Speaker 1: but I think it's just something that's more internal. You 31 00:01:44,959 --> 00:01:47,720 Speaker 1: can't see a tangible result, and so it's always been 32 00:01:47,720 --> 00:01:50,120 Speaker 1: a struggle. So I was a little hesitant to be 33 00:01:50,160 --> 00:01:52,400 Speaker 1: on here because I'm definitely not an expert. I'm learning 34 00:01:52,440 --> 00:01:54,960 Speaker 1: every day. But I will say I grew up as 35 00:01:55,000 --> 00:01:56,800 Speaker 1: an army brat. My dad was in the army, and 36 00:01:56,840 --> 00:01:58,840 Speaker 1: then I married my husband and we were in the army, 37 00:01:58,920 --> 00:02:02,559 Speaker 1: so we faced many deployments combat, and so I think 38 00:02:02,640 --> 00:02:06,560 Speaker 1: my prayer life, again, the physical is easier for me, 39 00:02:06,840 --> 00:02:09,760 Speaker 1: you know, if somebody's hurting or if he's in war, 40 00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:12,480 Speaker 1: it was easier for me to pray, and so Psalm 41 00:02:12,600 --> 00:02:16,480 Speaker 1: ninety one became one of my prayer anthems. I think 42 00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:18,400 Speaker 1: when he was deployed, I would be more urgent. I 43 00:02:18,400 --> 00:02:20,280 Speaker 1: would wake up pray for him. And then when we 44 00:02:20,320 --> 00:02:22,440 Speaker 1: got out. It's not that things got easier, but you know, 45 00:02:22,480 --> 00:02:25,200 Speaker 1: the spiritual attacks, they're just unseen. So I think you 46 00:02:25,600 --> 00:02:28,359 Speaker 1: think you're safe or And so I've actually been convicted 47 00:02:28,360 --> 00:02:31,040 Speaker 1: the last two years that I think spiritually we are 48 00:02:31,080 --> 00:02:33,480 Speaker 1: probably in a greater attack. I need to be praying 49 00:02:33,480 --> 00:02:36,119 Speaker 1: for my husband even more than when he was in 50 00:02:36,160 --> 00:02:39,520 Speaker 1: Afghanistan in the middle of a battle. It's just different. 51 00:02:39,639 --> 00:02:41,920 Speaker 1: So I think my prayer life has grown, and I 52 00:02:41,960 --> 00:02:46,080 Speaker 1: think I've been more convicted in the urgency. And you know, 53 00:02:46,200 --> 00:02:49,480 Speaker 1: in ministry we have an enemy. He is prowling around me. 54 00:02:49,560 --> 00:02:52,320 Speaker 1: Know that Ephaesian six tells us that. And so I 55 00:02:52,360 --> 00:02:54,800 Speaker 1: think being a part of a body that knows we 56 00:02:54,840 --> 00:02:57,280 Speaker 1: have an enemy, we are going to threatening places. And 57 00:02:57,320 --> 00:02:59,360 Speaker 1: like I said, the physical is dangerous, like we have 58 00:02:59,440 --> 00:03:01,520 Speaker 1: some teams in treating a bowler right now. We know 59 00:03:01,600 --> 00:03:05,079 Speaker 1: physically that's dangerous, But we are as an organization, we're 60 00:03:05,120 --> 00:03:08,079 Speaker 1: more aware of the spiritual danger. You know, Satan does 61 00:03:08,120 --> 00:03:11,399 Speaker 1: not like us sharing the Gospel, and so Samaritans perse. 62 00:03:11,639 --> 00:03:14,799 Speaker 1: We start as a body in devotions every morning we 63 00:03:15,120 --> 00:03:17,360 Speaker 1: read God's word but then we pray, and I love it. 64 00:03:17,440 --> 00:03:19,440 Speaker 1: We pray with our you know, whoever you're sitting with 65 00:03:19,480 --> 00:03:21,400 Speaker 1: at a table, you grab a couple of people. We 66 00:03:21,440 --> 00:03:24,320 Speaker 1: have prayer cards with our staff that are stationed overseas. 67 00:03:24,400 --> 00:03:27,040 Speaker 1: We pray for them by name their country office, and 68 00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:29,400 Speaker 1: we're able to communicate that with them. So I think 69 00:03:29,400 --> 00:03:35,040 Speaker 1: I've learned again the intentionality and to take seriously as 70 00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:37,600 Speaker 1: you know, God's workmanship, you know, the work that we 71 00:03:37,720 --> 00:03:40,920 Speaker 1: do for him. It's not always greeted, and you know 72 00:03:41,160 --> 00:03:43,200 Speaker 1: the enemy does not like it. So I think, right, 73 00:03:43,680 --> 00:03:45,960 Speaker 1: ebbs and flows, But I think I'm learning. You know 74 00:03:46,040 --> 00:03:49,360 Speaker 1: that physical isn't more dangerous than the spiritual. You know, 75 00:03:49,400 --> 00:03:52,240 Speaker 1: it's all right, we are to take everything to the Lord. 76 00:03:52,400 --> 00:03:53,560 Speaker 2: So good. 77 00:03:53,880 --> 00:03:54,760 Speaker 1: I'm still learning. 78 00:03:55,280 --> 00:03:57,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, we all are, we all are. And I was 79 00:03:58,000 --> 00:04:02,200 Speaker 2: thinking about years ago, I think it was maybe twenty fifteen, 80 00:04:02,640 --> 00:04:05,880 Speaker 2: maybe earlier, when I had the first opportunity to go 81 00:04:06,080 --> 00:04:10,360 Speaker 2: to the Billy Graham Library, and the thing that stood 82 00:04:10,400 --> 00:04:15,360 Speaker 2: out to me there was every exhibit mentioned prayer in 83 00:04:15,480 --> 00:04:18,960 Speaker 2: some way, shape or form, like it would talk about 84 00:04:18,960 --> 00:04:21,560 Speaker 2: the prayer teams, or it would talk about you know, 85 00:04:21,600 --> 00:04:24,479 Speaker 2: this was the verse that we prayed at this time, 86 00:04:24,680 --> 00:04:28,039 Speaker 2: and over and over again throughout all the exhibits. So 87 00:04:28,200 --> 00:04:32,719 Speaker 2: I know this almost generational prayer idea has been a 88 00:04:32,760 --> 00:04:36,680 Speaker 2: part of an important part of your family's ministry for 89 00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:40,000 Speaker 2: a very long time. You mentioned that your husband, Edward 90 00:04:40,240 --> 00:04:42,880 Speaker 2: was in the army for a long time, right fifteen 91 00:04:42,960 --> 00:04:49,680 Speaker 2: sixteen years, and your family surrendered that area and moved 92 00:04:49,800 --> 00:04:54,000 Speaker 2: into working at Samaritan's person in North Carolina. That's a 93 00:04:54,000 --> 00:04:58,000 Speaker 2: big change, and I know there are people listening who say, wow, 94 00:04:58,360 --> 00:05:01,599 Speaker 2: that was a big decision. So I wondered if you 95 00:05:01,640 --> 00:05:05,360 Speaker 2: could share what praying through that decision sort of looked like, 96 00:05:05,520 --> 00:05:08,640 Speaker 2: because it can be so easy to look back on 97 00:05:08,720 --> 00:05:11,640 Speaker 2: something and see it a little more clearly than when 98 00:05:11,640 --> 00:05:12,800 Speaker 2: you're walking through it. 99 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:16,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, I know, I like to write those things down, 100 00:05:16,680 --> 00:05:19,640 Speaker 1: you know, because those remembrance stones where God intervenes and 101 00:05:19,960 --> 00:05:22,440 Speaker 1: speaks to you. But Edward and I both you know, 102 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:24,640 Speaker 1: throughout his career in the military, every couple of years, 103 00:05:24,760 --> 00:05:29,039 Speaker 1: you know, you move, you change jobs. Transition is just 104 00:05:29,080 --> 00:05:32,400 Speaker 1: a part of the army, and so we would always say, okay, Lord, 105 00:05:32,440 --> 00:05:35,120 Speaker 1: before we commit to this two three year contract, is 106 00:05:35,120 --> 00:05:36,840 Speaker 1: this where you want us? And so we just constantly 107 00:05:36,880 --> 00:05:38,800 Speaker 1: were praying, Lord, is this where you want us? Close 108 00:05:38,800 --> 00:05:40,880 Speaker 1: the doors? Even though we both loved it, we would 109 00:05:40,880 --> 00:05:43,400 Speaker 1: have stayed in forever if that was God's will. We 110 00:05:43,520 --> 00:05:45,479 Speaker 1: never wanted to get out. But again we were always 111 00:05:45,520 --> 00:05:48,279 Speaker 1: surrendered God in our heart. We're planning our course, but 112 00:05:48,360 --> 00:05:50,640 Speaker 1: you are directing our steps, was our goal. And it 113 00:05:50,760 --> 00:05:53,440 Speaker 1: just felt like for many years the Lord was, yes, 114 00:05:53,640 --> 00:05:55,880 Speaker 1: this is where you're supposed to be. And Edward's dad, 115 00:05:55,920 --> 00:05:57,599 Speaker 1: you know, had asked for a couple of years for 116 00:05:57,680 --> 00:05:59,800 Speaker 1: him to come work with the ministry and to help him, 117 00:05:59,800 --> 00:06:01,880 Speaker 1: and he just said, no, I am called here. This 118 00:06:01,920 --> 00:06:03,800 Speaker 1: is where I'm supposed to be. And then we entered 119 00:06:03,800 --> 00:06:06,599 Speaker 1: a season where again another transition was coming and we 120 00:06:06,680 --> 00:06:10,480 Speaker 1: just started praying and God was really changing and softening 121 00:06:10,480 --> 00:06:12,240 Speaker 1: our hearts, and it came from out of nowhere. We 122 00:06:12,240 --> 00:06:14,720 Speaker 1: were very surprised. We were looking forward to the next 123 00:06:14,839 --> 00:06:18,720 Speaker 1: army job, and very clearly the Lord and I love 124 00:06:18,760 --> 00:06:20,839 Speaker 1: it to both of us separately, you know, he spoke 125 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:22,640 Speaker 1: to us. I think a lot of it like kind 126 00:06:22,640 --> 00:06:25,560 Speaker 1: of like the Angel coming to Marry and Joseph separately, 127 00:06:25,720 --> 00:06:29,280 Speaker 1: you know, before they would have Jesus. He really very 128 00:06:29,279 --> 00:06:31,960 Speaker 1: clearly spoke to both of us, and it was an 129 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:34,400 Speaker 1: answer to prayer, you know, because we did we said, 130 00:06:34,400 --> 00:06:35,880 Speaker 1: we need it to be very clear. This is a 131 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:39,880 Speaker 1: huge change, and ministry especially, you do not want to 132 00:06:39,880 --> 00:06:43,000 Speaker 1: go into ministry if not called so. But it was 133 00:06:43,040 --> 00:06:46,040 Speaker 1: it was pretty overnight, and so we very quickly made 134 00:06:46,040 --> 00:06:48,760 Speaker 1: that decision. And he got out very fast, which is 135 00:06:48,800 --> 00:06:53,279 Speaker 1: not you know, the norm necessarily, especially at sixteen years, 136 00:06:53,360 --> 00:06:57,320 Speaker 1: you know, retired for twenty years, that's rarely done at 137 00:06:57,320 --> 00:06:59,560 Speaker 1: that point. Most people get out ten years or twenty 138 00:06:59,640 --> 00:07:01,200 Speaker 1: and so people didn't even know what to do with 139 00:07:01,279 --> 00:07:03,440 Speaker 1: him in that. But God was with us every step. 140 00:07:03,480 --> 00:07:05,680 Speaker 1: I mean, it went very quick. In fact, people were 141 00:07:05,760 --> 00:07:07,800 Speaker 1: very surprised. How did you get out that fast? It's 142 00:07:07,960 --> 00:07:10,680 Speaker 1: but because God had gone before us and gave us 143 00:07:10,680 --> 00:07:12,720 Speaker 1: favor and gave us so it was it was a 144 00:07:12,800 --> 00:07:14,800 Speaker 1: very quick transition, but it wasn't quick to the Lord. 145 00:07:14,880 --> 00:07:17,680 Speaker 1: And we could see very clearly when we got here 146 00:07:18,080 --> 00:07:20,960 Speaker 1: as sad it was. It was. It was definitely a 147 00:07:21,040 --> 00:07:24,440 Speaker 1: laydown of our desires and our plans and our goals 148 00:07:24,240 --> 00:07:27,440 Speaker 1: for something that He had in us. But he confirmed 149 00:07:27,440 --> 00:07:31,560 Speaker 1: it with either you know, whatever came in the world events. 150 00:07:31,760 --> 00:07:33,800 Speaker 1: It seemed to be Edward was place for such a 151 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:36,320 Speaker 1: time as this, you know, in the cottership role, and 152 00:07:36,400 --> 00:07:39,560 Speaker 1: he was able to use his background and experiences. But 153 00:07:39,880 --> 00:07:42,320 Speaker 1: it was quiet. And I'll say this to people because 154 00:07:42,360 --> 00:07:46,520 Speaker 1: I spent about six months pretty depressed in tears. I 155 00:07:46,600 --> 00:07:49,360 Speaker 1: was very sad. It was a heartbreak and a loss 156 00:07:49,400 --> 00:07:52,160 Speaker 1: that I'd never experienced, and so I had to go 157 00:07:52,200 --> 00:07:55,280 Speaker 1: to God and I pray scripture a lot, because sometimes 158 00:07:55,320 --> 00:07:56,880 Speaker 1: I don't have the words, you know, And I clung 159 00:07:56,920 --> 00:07:58,720 Speaker 1: to a lot of David's words when he would just 160 00:07:59,160 --> 00:08:02,040 Speaker 1: I don't like this circumstance, but I trust in you, 161 00:08:02,040 --> 00:08:04,480 Speaker 1: you know. And God was very sweet. He didn't have 162 00:08:04,520 --> 00:08:07,040 Speaker 1: to do this, but he would confirm in small ways, 163 00:08:07,160 --> 00:08:09,160 Speaker 1: this is when I'm here for such a time as this. 164 00:08:09,400 --> 00:08:12,480 Speaker 1: You know, this is a job. Again, God can use anybody. 165 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:15,160 Speaker 1: But we felt that Ephaesians two ten, that we are 166 00:08:15,160 --> 00:08:18,080 Speaker 1: where His workmanship created in Christ Jesus, for work that 167 00:08:18,160 --> 00:08:20,120 Speaker 1: He had it advance for us to do. And it 168 00:08:20,240 --> 00:08:22,559 Speaker 1: was very clear in those early days and it still 169 00:08:22,640 --> 00:08:25,400 Speaker 1: is that God wanted us here and we could do 170 00:08:25,480 --> 00:08:28,480 Speaker 1: more for His kingdom than where we were. And again 171 00:08:28,680 --> 00:08:30,680 Speaker 1: we tell people in the military, we need godly people 172 00:08:30,760 --> 00:08:33,040 Speaker 1: and leader in the military too, my brother and my cousins. 173 00:08:33,080 --> 00:08:34,520 Speaker 1: I still have a lot of family that are in 174 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:36,720 Speaker 1: and we tell them stay in as long as he 175 00:08:36,760 --> 00:08:39,920 Speaker 1: wants you there, you know, because the center of the 176 00:08:39,920 --> 00:08:42,679 Speaker 1: Lord's will, that's where you're the most useful. And so 177 00:08:42,760 --> 00:08:45,000 Speaker 1: we were just embracing what the Lord had for us, 178 00:08:45,040 --> 00:08:46,960 Speaker 1: and we still are. But when I do and I 179 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:49,360 Speaker 1: still struggle with it because I still have family in 180 00:08:49,400 --> 00:08:52,080 Speaker 1: the military, so our paths cross a lot, and I 181 00:08:52,200 --> 00:08:54,640 Speaker 1: still ache and long for that life. But I have 182 00:08:54,760 --> 00:08:57,000 Speaker 1: to again go to those remembrance stones. You know, the 183 00:08:57,080 --> 00:09:01,120 Speaker 1: times were God clearly I can remember, and I've written 184 00:09:01,160 --> 00:09:03,679 Speaker 1: him down. He called me, he said this, you know, 185 00:09:03,800 --> 00:09:06,800 Speaker 1: So because we forget, we're forgetful. Yes, we have to 186 00:09:06,840 --> 00:09:09,040 Speaker 1: remember the ways that He's been faithful in the past, 187 00:09:09,080 --> 00:09:11,640 Speaker 1: and that helps launch us for the future. So I 188 00:09:11,640 --> 00:09:15,520 Speaker 1: guess I like people. It's a journey, yes, Yes, I. 189 00:09:15,520 --> 00:09:19,000 Speaker 2: Like the word that you used to though favor. When 190 00:09:19,320 --> 00:09:23,080 Speaker 2: God uses other people to kind of show you that path, 191 00:09:23,120 --> 00:09:27,520 Speaker 2: that's very helpful. And then also that internal peace where 192 00:09:27,920 --> 00:09:30,520 Speaker 2: you just know that you know and there's no real 193 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:34,400 Speaker 2: logical explanation, you just know that God has called you 194 00:09:34,480 --> 00:09:37,760 Speaker 2: and that piece that he brings into your heart as 195 00:09:37,800 --> 00:09:42,480 Speaker 2: a result. I was listening to the podcast on the 196 00:09:42,480 --> 00:09:45,360 Speaker 2: Ground with Samaritan's Purse, of which you are the host, 197 00:09:45,520 --> 00:09:48,480 Speaker 2: and I was listening to the episode Praising God through 198 00:09:48,520 --> 00:09:52,520 Speaker 2: the Storm. I wondered if hosting that show kind of 199 00:09:52,640 --> 00:09:55,920 Speaker 2: feeds your prayer life a little bit because you're talking 200 00:09:56,040 --> 00:09:59,120 Speaker 2: to so many people who are in hard spaces. 201 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:02,440 Speaker 1: Oh, it definitely does. And I love being in the field. 202 00:10:03,160 --> 00:10:05,559 Speaker 1: You know, going to Mississippi was an honor. I mean, 203 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:07,600 Speaker 1: to sit with people, you know, in the midst of 204 00:10:07,600 --> 00:10:09,560 Speaker 1: their grief, but that are praising the Lord. And one 205 00:10:09,600 --> 00:10:12,280 Speaker 1: of those pastors they were meeting for their Wednesday night 206 00:10:12,360 --> 00:10:16,160 Speaker 1: service when the tornado hit and they began praying and 207 00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:18,960 Speaker 1: singing hymns and praising to the Lord. And you know, 208 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:21,600 Speaker 1: they told told us that that we were just praising 209 00:10:21,640 --> 00:10:24,240 Speaker 1: the Lord and open handed God. If I you know, 210 00:10:24,280 --> 00:10:25,920 Speaker 1: to live as Christ, to die is gain, you know, 211 00:10:25,960 --> 00:10:27,840 Speaker 1: if we have more work for us to do. But 212 00:10:28,240 --> 00:10:30,400 Speaker 1: they just had that confidence and it did. It just 213 00:10:30,720 --> 00:10:33,720 Speaker 1: encouraged my heart. I mean, because some homeowners we meet 214 00:10:33,760 --> 00:10:35,960 Speaker 1: don't know Christ, and that is that is why we 215 00:10:36,040 --> 00:10:40,040 Speaker 1: go because I can't imagine facing you know, devastation without 216 00:10:40,040 --> 00:10:43,160 Speaker 1: the Lord. But then we also go to encourage and 217 00:10:43,200 --> 00:10:46,320 Speaker 1: bolster the church when they're down, and because that's when 218 00:10:46,440 --> 00:10:49,160 Speaker 1: the community needs the light the most. But it does. 219 00:10:49,200 --> 00:10:51,960 Speaker 1: It encourages me so much. And I think it's hard 220 00:10:52,000 --> 00:10:55,280 Speaker 1: to share heavy stories, but it's also a joy because 221 00:10:55,760 --> 00:10:58,559 Speaker 1: and you shared it, I think recently in Exodus. You know, 222 00:10:58,600 --> 00:11:01,000 Speaker 1: I love that the presence of God goes with us, 223 00:11:01,080 --> 00:11:04,600 Speaker 1: you know, even if physically our circumstances aren't lifted or 224 00:11:04,720 --> 00:11:08,000 Speaker 1: the hardship or what we're facing, but His presence is 225 00:11:08,040 --> 00:11:11,440 Speaker 1: with us, and in the presence there's a psalms. I believe. 226 00:11:11,520 --> 00:11:13,560 Speaker 1: In the presence is the fullness of joy, you know. 227 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:16,480 Speaker 1: And that's what we encounter every single time. And we 228 00:11:16,520 --> 00:11:19,839 Speaker 1: always partner with the local church. A local church hosts us, 229 00:11:19,920 --> 00:11:22,640 Speaker 1: hosts our teams, and then again we work with them 230 00:11:22,679 --> 00:11:25,120 Speaker 1: because we know they will be there after our work 231 00:11:25,160 --> 00:11:27,160 Speaker 1: is done. We will stay as long as our work 232 00:11:27,240 --> 00:11:28,800 Speaker 1: orders to complete and as long as there's work to 233 00:11:28,800 --> 00:11:31,680 Speaker 1: be done, but we will eventually leave and the church remains. 234 00:11:31,679 --> 00:11:34,600 Speaker 1: And so we want people to know that that's where 235 00:11:34,600 --> 00:11:37,560 Speaker 1: they can come for discipleship and ongoing care. But they 236 00:11:37,640 --> 00:11:40,040 Speaker 1: see a difference in the way the church handles things, 237 00:11:40,080 --> 00:11:42,640 Speaker 1: you know, because in the presence is the fullness of 238 00:11:42,679 --> 00:11:45,880 Speaker 1: joy and have joy even when the roof's blown off 239 00:11:45,880 --> 00:11:49,000 Speaker 1: our church, or we don't have you know, everything's taken 240 00:11:49,040 --> 00:11:52,840 Speaker 1: away physically, right, we'll see that Christians still have joy. 241 00:11:53,160 --> 00:11:56,239 Speaker 1: And I love again serving with each of our volunteers 242 00:11:56,240 --> 00:12:00,000 Speaker 1: that come. And many come with heartache, you know, their caretape, 243 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:03,360 Speaker 1: making an aging parent, or they have a child. You know, 244 00:12:03,400 --> 00:12:06,360 Speaker 1: it's just they come with their heartache, and yet they 245 00:12:06,360 --> 00:12:09,440 Speaker 1: are so joyful serving these homeowners, and they're able to 246 00:12:09,480 --> 00:12:11,840 Speaker 1: sit with them and their grief, and just that ministry 247 00:12:11,840 --> 00:12:15,040 Speaker 1: of presence is always I come home just LORDA, I 248 00:12:15,080 --> 00:12:17,160 Speaker 1: want to do more for you, you know, help me to 249 00:12:17,240 --> 00:12:19,760 Speaker 1: see needs around me even when there's not a storm. 250 00:12:19,880 --> 00:12:23,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, And I think it can be so scary for people, 251 00:12:23,920 --> 00:12:26,120 Speaker 2: so much so that I was thinking about, you know, 252 00:12:26,360 --> 00:12:30,559 Speaker 2: being deployed to Africa to work in the Ebola training 253 00:12:30,640 --> 00:12:33,959 Speaker 2: and you have these doctors and nurses that are working 254 00:12:34,000 --> 00:12:38,680 Speaker 2: on this. So many people want to run away from 255 00:12:38,760 --> 00:12:43,480 Speaker 2: situations like that. They're doing everything they can to box 256 00:12:43,559 --> 00:12:49,120 Speaker 2: themselves in separate themselves from places where real danger exists. 257 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:53,760 Speaker 2: These diseases are deadly, and so as you look at 258 00:12:53,920 --> 00:12:58,160 Speaker 2: these situations where Samaritans Purse comes running in when everyone 259 00:12:58,200 --> 00:13:01,000 Speaker 2: else is running away from it, what do you think 260 00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:05,400 Speaker 2: that does to the team's prayer life. I just I 261 00:13:05,520 --> 00:13:07,560 Speaker 2: kind of wish I could be in one of those 262 00:13:07,600 --> 00:13:11,800 Speaker 2: moments where they're deploying, just to feel God's presence in 263 00:13:11,840 --> 00:13:14,240 Speaker 2: that moment. I'm sure you can describe it better than 264 00:13:14,280 --> 00:13:14,480 Speaker 2: I have. 265 00:13:14,960 --> 00:13:17,120 Speaker 1: It's it's amazing. And again, I love being in the 266 00:13:17,160 --> 00:13:19,200 Speaker 1: field and I actually got to go. We do a 267 00:13:19,200 --> 00:13:22,240 Speaker 1: lot of training for infectious disease and in Bola, you know, 268 00:13:22,440 --> 00:13:24,160 Speaker 1: in and out of season, but they did a big 269 00:13:24,200 --> 00:13:27,040 Speaker 1: training before this team left and getting to be with 270 00:13:27,080 --> 00:13:30,880 Speaker 1: team members that have been on many experiences that are dangerous, 271 00:13:30,880 --> 00:13:33,480 Speaker 1: and then we're signing up for this Ebola response, which 272 00:13:33,640 --> 00:13:36,240 Speaker 1: is very scary. I mean it is, you know, not 273 00:13:36,320 --> 00:13:39,520 Speaker 1: an easy disease. It's very contagious, and they know they 274 00:13:39,520 --> 00:13:42,800 Speaker 1: are stepping into the fire. And like you said, that's 275 00:13:42,800 --> 00:13:44,600 Speaker 1: what we say all the time. Sparns. First, we run 276 00:13:44,640 --> 00:13:46,679 Speaker 1: into the fire, you know, when everyone's running out, we 277 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:49,000 Speaker 1: run in and Edwin, I love it so much. I 278 00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:51,360 Speaker 1: think that's it's so similar to the military where you 279 00:13:51,440 --> 00:13:55,240 Speaker 1: are serving above yourself, you know, but again it's an 280 00:13:55,240 --> 00:13:58,400 Speaker 1: eternal service here, which is so different. But I think 281 00:13:58,600 --> 00:14:02,280 Speaker 1: prayer and scripture are our lifeline. We couldn't do it 282 00:14:02,320 --> 00:14:05,440 Speaker 1: without the encouragement. And yeah, they say, I mean they say, 283 00:14:05,720 --> 00:14:07,480 Speaker 1: you know, as a team, they pray out loud. I 284 00:14:07,559 --> 00:14:10,600 Speaker 1: think there is power in that. But they also say 285 00:14:10,640 --> 00:14:13,200 Speaker 1: they're just constantly praying. Lord. I don't know what to do, 286 00:14:13,360 --> 00:14:15,320 Speaker 1: but my eyes are on you, you know, God, I 287 00:14:15,360 --> 00:14:18,040 Speaker 1: need direction. I mean they put that they're in Yes, 288 00:14:18,120 --> 00:14:19,800 Speaker 1: we do train our teams and we want to be 289 00:14:19,920 --> 00:14:23,560 Speaker 1: very knowledgeable and qualified, but there's obviously things that come 290 00:14:23,680 --> 00:14:25,960 Speaker 1: up that are surprises. You don't know what you're going 291 00:14:26,040 --> 00:14:27,680 Speaker 1: to expect until you get in the field. So they 292 00:14:27,720 --> 00:14:30,680 Speaker 1: say that dependency, which again we should live in all 293 00:14:30,720 --> 00:14:32,640 Speaker 1: the time. And our teams say, you know, it's hard 294 00:14:32,640 --> 00:14:35,080 Speaker 1: when you come home and you're in an insulated bubble 295 00:14:35,160 --> 00:14:38,360 Speaker 1: where you have so much security in the insecure environments, 296 00:14:38,400 --> 00:14:41,520 Speaker 1: we should always be feeling that way, right, that depidacy 297 00:14:41,600 --> 00:14:44,440 Speaker 1: on God. But when you're stripped of everything and all 298 00:14:44,520 --> 00:14:47,640 Speaker 1: you have is the Lord. They again, their faith is 299 00:14:47,880 --> 00:14:50,200 Speaker 1: just they're some of my favorite people. They have seen 300 00:14:50,480 --> 00:14:53,760 Speaker 1: God do big things because they've stepped out. You know. 301 00:14:53,800 --> 00:14:56,000 Speaker 1: It's like Peter stepping out of the boat. You know, 302 00:14:56,440 --> 00:14:59,720 Speaker 1: he stepped out of the comfort to go meet with Jesus, right, 303 00:15:00,600 --> 00:15:03,640 Speaker 1: and he did fall because he got afraid, like you 304 00:15:03,680 --> 00:15:05,760 Speaker 1: know we all would. But I love that the winds 305 00:15:05,760 --> 00:15:08,000 Speaker 1: and the waves are always there. But when he took 306 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:10,160 Speaker 1: his eyes off Jesus, that's when he fell. And I 307 00:15:10,240 --> 00:15:13,280 Speaker 1: love how Jesus he didn't. He helped him first and 308 00:15:13,320 --> 00:15:15,600 Speaker 1: then he rebuked him right. And I think our teams, 309 00:15:15,600 --> 00:15:17,800 Speaker 1: that's what they learn, is that Jesus, you know, he 310 00:15:17,920 --> 00:15:21,080 Speaker 1: is with us his presence, and when we doubt or 311 00:15:21,120 --> 00:15:24,080 Speaker 1: when we have a setback, he is right there with us, 312 00:15:24,160 --> 00:15:27,120 Speaker 1: you know, to remind us of just that dependence that 313 00:15:27,160 --> 00:15:29,280 Speaker 1: we need. And again we need it every day. We 314 00:15:29,360 --> 00:15:31,680 Speaker 1: think of that. But our teams, you know, they just 315 00:15:31,920 --> 00:15:33,720 Speaker 1: every time I'm with them or get to be seeing 316 00:15:33,800 --> 00:15:36,280 Speaker 1: in the field, it's just that we should be this 317 00:15:36,400 --> 00:15:38,080 Speaker 1: dependent reliant on Him every day. 318 00:15:38,160 --> 00:15:41,800 Speaker 2: I often say it's prayer, it's his presence, and it's 319 00:15:41,800 --> 00:15:45,960 Speaker 2: his promises. When we have nothing else that we can 320 00:15:45,960 --> 00:15:49,360 Speaker 2: hold on to, we can hold on to those three things, 321 00:15:49,560 --> 00:15:52,920 Speaker 2: and those are intangible They're not something we can hold 322 00:15:52,920 --> 00:15:56,400 Speaker 2: in our hand necessarily, not something we can see with 323 00:15:56,480 --> 00:15:59,960 Speaker 2: our eyes. But when everything is stripped away from us, 324 00:16:00,480 --> 00:16:04,120 Speaker 2: then we still have those three things. They still remain. 325 00:16:04,280 --> 00:16:07,280 Speaker 2: So I love that so much. In your work, I'm 326 00:16:07,360 --> 00:16:11,000 Speaker 2: sure though, that you often see people don't get the 327 00:16:11,120 --> 00:16:13,600 Speaker 2: answers that they were praying for. And one of the 328 00:16:13,640 --> 00:16:17,360 Speaker 2: hardest things is when the answer from God to our 329 00:16:17,400 --> 00:16:21,280 Speaker 2: prayers is a hard stop. No, I didn't give you 330 00:16:21,520 --> 00:16:25,040 Speaker 2: the answer. In my own life, I felt that in 331 00:16:25,640 --> 00:16:28,440 Speaker 2: the way of my daughter's disease. I had a special 332 00:16:28,480 --> 00:16:31,240 Speaker 2: needs daughter that I cared for for twenty two years 333 00:16:31,280 --> 00:16:35,240 Speaker 2: who had a rare metabolic disorder, and that disorder took 334 00:16:35,280 --> 00:16:38,240 Speaker 2: her life at the age of twenty two. She is 335 00:16:38,640 --> 00:16:42,640 Speaker 2: whole and happy in heaven. But our healing didn't happen 336 00:16:42,760 --> 00:16:45,960 Speaker 2: on this earth. The healing that we prayed for happened 337 00:16:46,000 --> 00:16:49,680 Speaker 2: in heaven. And I know that you have to answer 338 00:16:50,240 --> 00:16:53,880 Speaker 2: that question sometimes when you're out and about, even when 339 00:16:53,920 --> 00:16:57,320 Speaker 2: you're talking about the work that Samaritans person does. So 340 00:16:57,920 --> 00:17:00,680 Speaker 2: I wondered if you could say, may we share with 341 00:17:00,760 --> 00:17:05,280 Speaker 2: us how you keep praying in confidence even when God 342 00:17:05,359 --> 00:17:07,879 Speaker 2: doesn't answer the prayer. The way you wanted him to. 343 00:17:08,160 --> 00:17:10,680 Speaker 1: Thank you for sharing that, and I'm sorry for your loss. 344 00:17:10,760 --> 00:17:14,240 Speaker 1: I think I heard you. Her name's Taylor correct. Thank 345 00:17:14,280 --> 00:17:17,640 Speaker 1: you for sharing and for loving her. Yeah, I think 346 00:17:17,680 --> 00:17:20,160 Speaker 1: that's one of the hardest parts, right, And I'll come 347 00:17:20,200 --> 00:17:22,480 Speaker 1: back to. Even being in the military, I had one 348 00:17:22,520 --> 00:17:25,040 Speaker 1: of my best friends. Her husband was killed. He did 349 00:17:25,119 --> 00:17:28,000 Speaker 1: the same job as my husband. They were in different battalions, 350 00:17:28,040 --> 00:17:31,080 Speaker 1: but Sam mcjact job company commanders. She prayed for him. 351 00:17:31,200 --> 00:17:33,399 Speaker 1: I prayed for mine. Mine stepped on a bunch of 352 00:17:33,440 --> 00:17:35,360 Speaker 1: land minds and it had a lot of things where 353 00:17:35,400 --> 00:17:37,600 Speaker 1: he could have, you know, passed away, and the Lord 354 00:17:37,600 --> 00:17:40,000 Speaker 1: saved him, you know. And she even wrestles with that. 355 00:17:40,680 --> 00:17:42,639 Speaker 1: Why did God answer your prayers? So why did he 356 00:17:42,760 --> 00:17:46,000 Speaker 1: not answer mine? And it's just a person. It's hard 357 00:17:46,040 --> 00:17:48,320 Speaker 1: and it's heavy, and there's a tension we'll always live 358 00:17:48,359 --> 00:17:50,600 Speaker 1: with here, right, could be great, But I think what 359 00:17:50,720 --> 00:17:54,000 Speaker 1: I come back to and our staff. I love Jesus's 360 00:17:54,040 --> 00:17:57,600 Speaker 1: prayer in the garden guestsemone when he is bliss sweating 361 00:17:57,720 --> 00:18:01,720 Speaker 1: blood and says, Lord, if there's any other way, please 362 00:18:01,720 --> 00:18:04,200 Speaker 1: take this cup, you know, but not my will yours 363 00:18:04,240 --> 00:18:06,439 Speaker 1: be done? And we talk about this a lot our staff, 364 00:18:06,480 --> 00:18:08,240 Speaker 1: a lot of them talk about this. You know. It's 365 00:18:08,280 --> 00:18:10,840 Speaker 1: that we can be honest, we can be vulnerable, we 366 00:18:10,880 --> 00:18:14,199 Speaker 1: can ask big things and give the Lord, you know, 367 00:18:14,359 --> 00:18:16,120 Speaker 1: tell them what's on our heart. But at the end 368 00:18:16,119 --> 00:18:18,200 Speaker 1: of the day, we land with not my will yours 369 00:18:18,200 --> 00:18:20,800 Speaker 1: be done. Your ways are not our ways. And it's 370 00:18:20,920 --> 00:18:23,480 Speaker 1: hard to say. And yes, we have had in fact 371 00:18:23,480 --> 00:18:27,200 Speaker 1: with this ebola, with two American doctors that got ebola 372 00:18:27,359 --> 00:18:30,080 Speaker 1: and went and got treatment and have survived. And then 373 00:18:30,080 --> 00:18:33,359 Speaker 1: we lost two of our DRC you know, national staff 374 00:18:33,400 --> 00:18:36,439 Speaker 1: to ebola, and it's just it's grieving where we're praying 375 00:18:36,480 --> 00:18:39,239 Speaker 1: and begging God for both of them to be all 376 00:18:39,280 --> 00:18:41,800 Speaker 1: of them to be healed. And why I don't know, 377 00:18:42,040 --> 00:18:44,600 Speaker 1: but it's that not my will yours be done. And 378 00:18:44,640 --> 00:18:48,399 Speaker 1: so that is why our teams can continue. In another 379 00:18:48,560 --> 00:18:50,919 Speaker 1: prayer is the Shadrack me check Invidigo. You know when 380 00:18:50,920 --> 00:18:53,240 Speaker 1: they went into the fiery furnace. You think of how 381 00:18:53,280 --> 00:18:56,200 Speaker 1: they said, I know my God can save us. Even 382 00:18:56,240 --> 00:18:58,199 Speaker 1: if not, we're going to go into that fire. We 383 00:18:58,240 --> 00:19:00,840 Speaker 1: will not bow. And that is again and I think 384 00:19:01,560 --> 00:19:03,480 Speaker 1: that's why I love your podcast, because I think when 385 00:19:03,520 --> 00:19:07,040 Speaker 1: we hear others testify to God, the goodness of God 386 00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:10,080 Speaker 1: in the hard times. I mean again, when you say 387 00:19:10,200 --> 00:19:13,159 Speaker 1: praise the Lord, he is good, he is faithful. I 388 00:19:13,200 --> 00:19:16,600 Speaker 1: think it means more, you know, knowing your prayers weren't 389 00:19:16,640 --> 00:19:18,879 Speaker 1: answered in the way you wanted them. And again, some 390 00:19:18,960 --> 00:19:20,919 Speaker 1: of our staff, some of my favorite people are the 391 00:19:20,920 --> 00:19:24,240 Speaker 1: ones that live in countries where they're persecuted. I'm thinking 392 00:19:24,240 --> 00:19:26,280 Speaker 1: of right now a pastor that in the Middle East, 393 00:19:26,320 --> 00:19:28,920 Speaker 1: and he said, suffering is the vitamin of the church. 394 00:19:29,400 --> 00:19:31,919 Speaker 1: And you know, he says all the time the churches 395 00:19:31,960 --> 00:19:34,800 Speaker 1: I work with, and he was very instrumental in rebuilding 396 00:19:35,200 --> 00:19:38,640 Speaker 1: and training pastors in Sudan that churches were bombed, and 397 00:19:38,800 --> 00:19:41,440 Speaker 1: he was very big on to live as Christ. To 398 00:19:41,520 --> 00:19:43,960 Speaker 1: die is gain. You know, the ones that go before us, 399 00:19:44,040 --> 00:19:46,400 Speaker 1: we are going to honor them by training more pastors. 400 00:19:46,480 --> 00:19:49,280 Speaker 1: And again he just says, we don't pray for protection. 401 00:19:49,760 --> 00:19:52,360 Speaker 1: You will never hear a persecuted church praying for protection. 402 00:19:52,640 --> 00:19:54,960 Speaker 1: They will pray for boldness, they will pray that their 403 00:19:54,960 --> 00:19:57,840 Speaker 1: faith won't fail. And I'll actually read Paul, I love 404 00:19:57,840 --> 00:19:59,920 Speaker 1: Ephesian six, as I said, the armor of God is 405 00:20:00,080 --> 00:20:02,320 Speaker 1: so important. I pray over that often. But he goes 406 00:20:02,320 --> 00:20:04,679 Speaker 1: on later and says, pray also for me, that the 407 00:20:04,720 --> 00:20:06,879 Speaker 1: message may be given to me when I open my 408 00:20:06,920 --> 00:20:10,040 Speaker 1: mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel. 409 00:20:10,119 --> 00:20:12,560 Speaker 1: And for this I'm an ambassador in chains. Pray that 410 00:20:12,640 --> 00:20:15,439 Speaker 1: I might be bold enough to speak about as I should. 411 00:20:16,080 --> 00:20:18,280 Speaker 1: And I think I see time and time again where 412 00:20:18,440 --> 00:20:21,600 Speaker 1: staff that haven't gotten the prayers they wanted, things are 413 00:20:21,640 --> 00:20:24,320 Speaker 1: still hard. We have a team member on our team 414 00:20:24,400 --> 00:20:27,359 Speaker 1: who has a disease that is debilitating and he's always 415 00:20:27,400 --> 00:20:29,800 Speaker 1: in pain, and that thorn in his flesh has not 416 00:20:29,880 --> 00:20:34,360 Speaker 1: been removed, but he has such a boldness for the Gospel. 417 00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:36,240 Speaker 1: And Lord, as long as there's breath in my lungs, 418 00:20:36,280 --> 00:20:39,000 Speaker 1: even if it hurts to move, I'm gonna move for you. 419 00:20:39,119 --> 00:20:41,920 Speaker 1: And I just love that prayer that Paul had pray 420 00:20:41,960 --> 00:20:44,160 Speaker 1: that I would be bold for the Gospel every time 421 00:20:44,160 --> 00:20:46,600 Speaker 1: I open my mouth. So as a long answer, but 422 00:20:46,640 --> 00:20:49,280 Speaker 1: I think I just learn time and time again, we 423 00:20:49,359 --> 00:20:52,000 Speaker 1: do pray, we do give God our concerns, but again, 424 00:20:52,040 --> 00:20:54,639 Speaker 1: it's not going to change the circumstances. It's going to 425 00:20:54,760 --> 00:20:57,600 Speaker 1: change our hearts. It's going to change our relationship with him. 426 00:20:58,240 --> 00:21:02,520 Speaker 1: And again, love that presence with the Lord. The joy 427 00:21:02,600 --> 00:21:05,840 Speaker 1: is the presence of the Lord, not the answer, you know, 428 00:21:05,880 --> 00:21:06,720 Speaker 1: prayer being answered. 429 00:21:06,800 --> 00:21:11,520 Speaker 2: Yes, God is interested in so much more than answering 430 00:21:11,560 --> 00:21:16,040 Speaker 2: our prayers. He wants to be the answer to our prayers. 431 00:21:16,080 --> 00:21:20,320 Speaker 2: He wants to be our answer, and that relationship is 432 00:21:20,359 --> 00:21:24,399 Speaker 2: above all. Think to give one word to what you're saying, 433 00:21:24,440 --> 00:21:27,640 Speaker 2: it's the word surrender, and so many of us struggle 434 00:21:27,680 --> 00:21:30,359 Speaker 2: with that. I like to be in control. I'll be 435 00:21:30,400 --> 00:21:33,640 Speaker 2: the first to admit, and I've just over the years 436 00:21:33,880 --> 00:21:38,160 Speaker 2: learned that God is in control. And when I trust 437 00:21:38,280 --> 00:21:42,119 Speaker 2: Him and his ways that I can't comprehend, then I 438 00:21:42,320 --> 00:21:45,600 Speaker 2: have the peace, I have the joy, I have the 439 00:21:45,640 --> 00:21:50,400 Speaker 2: fruits of living with His spirit because I am surrendered 440 00:21:50,520 --> 00:21:55,560 Speaker 2: fully and holy to what He wants. So love everything 441 00:21:55,560 --> 00:21:58,280 Speaker 2: that you share there. I have to share this with 442 00:21:58,359 --> 00:22:00,719 Speaker 2: you because I would be remiss, I think if I 443 00:22:00,760 --> 00:22:05,160 Speaker 2: didn't before we attack this last question. Or maybe maybe 444 00:22:05,200 --> 00:22:10,200 Speaker 2: attack is not the right word, but I probably wouldn't 445 00:22:10,200 --> 00:22:13,359 Speaker 2: be sitting here in front of you today if it 446 00:22:13,400 --> 00:22:17,560 Speaker 2: were not for your legacy that has come before you. 447 00:22:17,800 --> 00:22:20,480 Speaker 2: And I know you sort of married into this legacy, 448 00:22:20,560 --> 00:22:24,240 Speaker 2: if you will, this gospel legacy. But my father in 449 00:22:24,359 --> 00:22:30,040 Speaker 2: law and his brother were in this early sixties, parents 450 00:22:30,119 --> 00:22:33,240 Speaker 2: that had come across to America for a new life, 451 00:22:33,280 --> 00:22:39,800 Speaker 2: and they were struggling with addictions alcohol. They both played 452 00:22:39,960 --> 00:22:44,800 Speaker 2: music in the bars, and one night my uncle came 453 00:22:44,920 --> 00:22:48,800 Speaker 2: to the Lord and said, I need something. This is 454 00:22:48,840 --> 00:22:51,320 Speaker 2: not the life that I know that you have for me. 455 00:22:51,400 --> 00:22:54,720 Speaker 2: There's something wrong. And he turned on the radio, heard 456 00:22:54,760 --> 00:22:58,560 Speaker 2: a Salvation message preached by Billy Graham and came to 457 00:22:58,640 --> 00:23:03,080 Speaker 2: know Jesus as his Then he was so changed and 458 00:23:03,160 --> 00:23:07,119 Speaker 2: so thrilled with the gospel that he told his brother, 459 00:23:07,440 --> 00:23:10,680 Speaker 2: my father in law, who then became to know Christ 460 00:23:10,800 --> 00:23:14,439 Speaker 2: as his savior, who then went home, poured all his 461 00:23:14,560 --> 00:23:18,760 Speaker 2: alcohol down the drain, and his wife, my mother in law, 462 00:23:18,920 --> 00:23:22,360 Speaker 2: could hardly believe what she was seeing because she had 463 00:23:22,400 --> 00:23:26,400 Speaker 2: these strongholds that had been in her life for generations. 464 00:23:26,720 --> 00:23:30,240 Speaker 2: Both my father in law and my uncle went to 465 00:23:30,320 --> 00:23:36,160 Speaker 2: seminary and both served the Lord as evangelists and pastors 466 00:23:36,400 --> 00:23:39,639 Speaker 2: for over fifty years each. My father in law just 467 00:23:39,680 --> 00:23:43,520 Speaker 2: went to heaven two years ago, but my uncle by 468 00:23:43,600 --> 00:23:48,280 Speaker 2: marriage is still serving the Lord in ministry. And I 469 00:23:48,359 --> 00:23:51,199 Speaker 2: just think maybe sometimes you don't get to hear like 470 00:23:51,359 --> 00:23:55,639 Speaker 2: the longevity of the impact. I'm sure you hear about 471 00:23:55,720 --> 00:23:59,359 Speaker 2: people who came to know Christ under those ministries, but 472 00:23:59,560 --> 00:24:04,200 Speaker 2: this is generational and that my husband probably wouldn't even 473 00:24:04,280 --> 00:24:07,480 Speaker 2: be in church today if it were not for the 474 00:24:07,520 --> 00:24:11,320 Speaker 2: salvation of his parents in the sixties listening to those 475 00:24:11,760 --> 00:24:15,440 Speaker 2: Billy Graham radio shows. And I just had to share 476 00:24:15,480 --> 00:24:17,760 Speaker 2: that with you while I have you on here today. 477 00:24:17,960 --> 00:24:22,199 Speaker 2: It really isn't related to prayer other than I believe 478 00:24:22,240 --> 00:24:25,480 Speaker 2: that it was the answer to someone's prayer, probably my 479 00:24:25,640 --> 00:24:29,320 Speaker 2: uncle initially. And so as we look at this last 480 00:24:29,400 --> 00:24:34,160 Speaker 2: question for the listener listening right now, who says I'm 481 00:24:34,240 --> 00:24:38,119 Speaker 2: praying for something that hasn't been answered, there's this diagnosis, 482 00:24:38,280 --> 00:24:41,800 Speaker 2: a loss, a very long way, a job transition. What 483 00:24:42,000 --> 00:24:46,199 Speaker 2: would you want that person to know, because you've stood 484 00:24:46,200 --> 00:24:49,199 Speaker 2: in a lot of hard places, and I feel like 485 00:24:49,680 --> 00:24:52,880 Speaker 2: you probably have something that you could share that would 486 00:24:52,920 --> 00:24:54,480 Speaker 2: be helpful for that person. 487 00:24:55,160 --> 00:24:58,560 Speaker 1: First of all, yeah, I'm sorry again, I said it's hard. 488 00:24:58,600 --> 00:25:02,000 Speaker 1: When Paul talked about too please take this thorn from me, 489 00:25:02,080 --> 00:25:04,479 Speaker 1: God take it, you know, he begged the Lord and 490 00:25:04,520 --> 00:25:07,439 Speaker 1: he didn't. And but then he said, I boast in 491 00:25:07,480 --> 00:25:10,520 Speaker 1: my weaknesses, you know, because in my weakness your power 492 00:25:10,600 --> 00:25:14,760 Speaker 1: is manifested. I love that that in First Corinthians. I 493 00:25:14,800 --> 00:25:16,920 Speaker 1: believe twelve and I think, so that's what I want 494 00:25:16,960 --> 00:25:20,040 Speaker 1: to say. The assignment you've been given in hardship, that's 495 00:25:20,080 --> 00:25:22,760 Speaker 1: a tough assignment, right. I'd rather have the assignment of 496 00:25:22,880 --> 00:25:24,639 Speaker 1: I'm an evangelist and I get to go share the 497 00:25:24,640 --> 00:25:27,439 Speaker 1: gospel or I get to be you know, a missionary doctor. 498 00:25:27,960 --> 00:25:31,200 Speaker 1: God give me that assignment. But I think for you listening, 499 00:25:31,280 --> 00:25:34,000 Speaker 1: you know that's struggling. That's the assignment you've been given, 500 00:25:34,160 --> 00:25:36,520 Speaker 1: and it's really hard. It's a hard one. So first 501 00:25:36,560 --> 00:25:38,399 Speaker 1: of all, you can't do it alone. You need the 502 00:25:38,440 --> 00:25:41,240 Speaker 1: presence of the Lord. You need his scripture. And I love, 503 00:25:41,520 --> 00:25:44,000 Speaker 1: I love God's word because there's so many people that 504 00:25:44,119 --> 00:25:46,960 Speaker 1: had that same issue. David Hebakuk. I mean, I'm just 505 00:25:47,000 --> 00:25:50,400 Speaker 1: thinking of so many that God though this, this, this, 506 00:25:50,720 --> 00:25:52,479 Speaker 1: Yet I will praise you. You know, you think of 507 00:25:52,720 --> 00:25:56,640 Speaker 1: just the darkness that many faced that went before us. 508 00:25:56,800 --> 00:25:59,880 Speaker 1: So seeing the goodness of God in your hardship, and look, 509 00:26:00,800 --> 00:26:02,960 Speaker 1: in fact, there was a pow and World War two. 510 00:26:03,000 --> 00:26:05,960 Speaker 1: You know that said in every circumstance, you know, I 511 00:26:05,960 --> 00:26:07,919 Speaker 1: would try to praise the Lord for three things, you know, 512 00:26:07,960 --> 00:26:10,480 Speaker 1: and you think Corey ten Boon was very similar and Betsy, 513 00:26:10,600 --> 00:26:13,560 Speaker 1: you know they would praise God for the fleas or 514 00:26:13,960 --> 00:26:16,680 Speaker 1: you know, they would praise But in every hard thing, 515 00:26:16,800 --> 00:26:19,000 Speaker 1: there are things you can praise. And again you have 516 00:26:19,119 --> 00:26:21,400 Speaker 1: sometimes you have to look really hard, and I do. 517 00:26:21,520 --> 00:26:24,439 Speaker 1: I know a lot of people with way heavier loads 518 00:26:24,480 --> 00:26:26,640 Speaker 1: than me, and so when I feel like things are hard, 519 00:26:26,840 --> 00:26:29,040 Speaker 1: I look to them. But there's always things to praise 520 00:26:29,040 --> 00:26:31,080 Speaker 1: the Lord. And sometimes and I love what you said 521 00:26:31,080 --> 00:26:34,600 Speaker 1: earlier about the prayer, presence and promises. Sometimes it's the 522 00:26:34,600 --> 00:26:36,800 Speaker 1: promises of God in the past, you know. And I 523 00:26:36,800 --> 00:26:39,479 Speaker 1: think of Psalm one thirty six. God is faithful and 524 00:26:39,520 --> 00:26:42,360 Speaker 1: that that saw him alone lists out, you know, all 525 00:26:42,400 --> 00:26:44,439 Speaker 1: the things that the Israelites got to see God do. 526 00:26:44,920 --> 00:26:47,399 Speaker 1: But then reach out to someone else. I would say, 527 00:26:47,480 --> 00:26:50,480 Speaker 1: you know, find fellowship and community, because Satan wants you 528 00:26:50,520 --> 00:26:52,960 Speaker 1: to isolate. He wants you to think I'm the only 529 00:26:53,000 --> 00:26:56,320 Speaker 1: one struggling with this. And I think Johnny Ricksintada said, 530 00:26:56,359 --> 00:26:59,080 Speaker 1: if you're depressed or you're struggling, go serve somebody else. 531 00:26:59,200 --> 00:27:01,960 Speaker 1: And if Johnny or Syntata can say that and she 532 00:27:02,080 --> 00:27:05,200 Speaker 1: can get outside of herself then I can. And I've 533 00:27:05,200 --> 00:27:06,919 Speaker 1: actually been in the hospital. My mother in law's been 534 00:27:06,920 --> 00:27:08,760 Speaker 1: in the hospital this week, and so I've been sitting 535 00:27:08,800 --> 00:27:11,520 Speaker 1: in there a lot this week. And she is so amazing. 536 00:27:11,640 --> 00:27:13,800 Speaker 1: People will come to see her and pray with her, 537 00:27:13,920 --> 00:27:16,360 Speaker 1: and she will pray for them. You know, she's one 538 00:27:16,400 --> 00:27:19,320 Speaker 1: of those that she's in pain in her hospital bed 539 00:27:19,359 --> 00:27:21,399 Speaker 1: and people are coming. And somebody came the other day 540 00:27:21,400 --> 00:27:23,159 Speaker 1: and she said, just let me stop right now. She 541 00:27:23,280 --> 00:27:25,119 Speaker 1: was sharing what's been going on, and she said, let 542 00:27:25,160 --> 00:27:27,680 Speaker 1: me pray for you. And I think that's what I see. 543 00:27:27,760 --> 00:27:29,760 Speaker 1: But you know a lot of my family members is 544 00:27:29,880 --> 00:27:32,320 Speaker 1: they praise the Lord and pray for others. You know, 545 00:27:32,359 --> 00:27:35,159 Speaker 1: when you're absorbed with yourself, it makes it worse. But 546 00:27:35,200 --> 00:27:39,200 Speaker 1: when you look outside and we are also Galatian, says Carrie, 547 00:27:39,240 --> 00:27:41,240 Speaker 1: one another's burdens. You're not meant to do it alone. 548 00:27:41,280 --> 00:27:43,199 Speaker 1: And that's why I love Samarin's purse. You know, we 549 00:27:43,280 --> 00:27:46,960 Speaker 1: want to come alongside people in their struggle. We get 550 00:27:47,000 --> 00:27:49,119 Speaker 1: to go to people in the ditches of life because 551 00:27:49,119 --> 00:27:51,199 Speaker 1: they're not meant to stay there alone. You know, I 552 00:27:51,240 --> 00:27:53,800 Speaker 1: just love again. I want to bring up if people listen, 553 00:27:53,840 --> 00:27:55,679 Speaker 1: If you don't know the good Samaritan. That's what Smarn's 554 00:27:55,680 --> 00:27:59,600 Speaker 1: purse is based off. This levite and a priest passed him. Religious, 555 00:27:59,640 --> 00:28:02,560 Speaker 1: godly people passed by this man, and again it would 556 00:28:02,560 --> 00:28:05,000 Speaker 1: have caused them harm, would have caused them danger. You know, 557 00:28:05,160 --> 00:28:07,040 Speaker 1: it was a risk to take on this man. But 558 00:28:07,119 --> 00:28:10,080 Speaker 1: the Samaritan he went. But I love the action that 559 00:28:10,119 --> 00:28:12,240 Speaker 1: he takes. But first he had compassion. So I think 560 00:28:12,320 --> 00:28:15,240 Speaker 1: just for somebody struggling, if you're lost your compassion or 561 00:28:15,240 --> 00:28:18,399 Speaker 1: you've hardened your heart, look for someone with compassion. And 562 00:28:18,520 --> 00:28:20,639 Speaker 1: sometimes sometimes we do have to get out of the 563 00:28:20,680 --> 00:28:24,000 Speaker 1: ditch or go find somebody, but pray that God, will 564 00:28:24,040 --> 00:28:26,639 Speaker 1: you bring someone to encourage me? Will you encourage me 565 00:28:26,680 --> 00:28:29,320 Speaker 1: through your word? Will you bring somebody? And then I 566 00:28:29,359 --> 00:28:32,479 Speaker 1: would say, to serve somebody. It's when we serve others 567 00:28:33,000 --> 00:28:36,439 Speaker 1: the load lightens again. Circumstances might not change, but your 568 00:28:36,480 --> 00:28:38,920 Speaker 1: perspective does. And I know for me, even just being 569 00:28:38,960 --> 00:28:40,760 Speaker 1: in the hospital, I thought things were hard and heavy 570 00:28:40,800 --> 00:28:43,040 Speaker 1: in my life, and I thought, man, I'm really doing okay. 571 00:28:43,160 --> 00:28:45,960 Speaker 1: You see others with needs, and so I think those 572 00:28:45,960 --> 00:28:49,240 Speaker 1: are three things. Just don't isolate, reach out and maybe 573 00:28:49,320 --> 00:28:52,040 Speaker 1: find somebody that's united. Because I know you probably know this. 574 00:28:52,280 --> 00:28:54,200 Speaker 1: The people that understand you the best are the ones 575 00:28:54,240 --> 00:28:57,160 Speaker 1: that have been through it, you know. And as a caretaker, 576 00:28:57,160 --> 00:28:59,960 Speaker 1: I'm sure you needed fellowship from other caretakers, you know. 577 00:29:00,000 --> 00:29:02,680 Speaker 1: So no one understands. And that's what we see a 578 00:29:02,680 --> 00:29:05,240 Speaker 1: lot in the field is the Lord puts our volunteers 579 00:29:05,280 --> 00:29:08,080 Speaker 1: with people that have similar and again it never this, 580 00:29:08,240 --> 00:29:10,600 Speaker 1: no circumstances. The same pain is pain, right, you know 581 00:29:10,640 --> 00:29:14,280 Speaker 1: you can't compare pain, but to hear somebody, yeah, I 582 00:29:14,360 --> 00:29:16,400 Speaker 1: know how hard and heavy that is. You know, it's 583 00:29:16,520 --> 00:29:20,600 Speaker 1: just you feel seen. And again, God, above all of 584 00:29:20,640 --> 00:29:23,440 Speaker 1: the people, he understands. I come back to all the 585 00:29:23,480 --> 00:29:26,520 Speaker 1: time that we don't serve a high priest that doesn't understand. 586 00:29:27,080 --> 00:29:30,480 Speaker 1: So that in Hebrews, Jesus understands your pain. He has 587 00:29:30,560 --> 00:29:33,680 Speaker 1: walked this earth, says he wept when Lazarus died, even 588 00:29:33,720 --> 00:29:35,800 Speaker 1: though he knew he would heal him. So I also 589 00:29:35,880 --> 00:29:38,640 Speaker 1: want you to know you are seen by a loving God, 590 00:29:39,280 --> 00:29:43,200 Speaker 1: and so reach out to him. His presence is powerful. 591 00:29:43,320 --> 00:29:46,800 Speaker 2: I love that so much, and amen to everything you 592 00:29:46,880 --> 00:29:51,040 Speaker 2: said so very important. I think about the proverb whoever 593 00:29:51,440 --> 00:29:56,040 Speaker 2: refreshes others will himself be refreshed, and that is the 594 00:29:56,080 --> 00:29:59,400 Speaker 2: way it works. I agree one hundred percent. There was 595 00:29:59,440 --> 00:30:02,640 Speaker 2: a lady years and years ago who shared with me 596 00:30:02,920 --> 00:30:06,880 Speaker 2: her story. She had throat cancer, and she said to me, 597 00:30:07,080 --> 00:30:11,200 Speaker 2: I was lying in my home feeling sorry for myself 598 00:30:11,360 --> 00:30:14,960 Speaker 2: and begging God to take the pain away. And she said, 599 00:30:15,080 --> 00:30:18,600 Speaker 2: I really can't explain this other than just to tell 600 00:30:18,640 --> 00:30:21,960 Speaker 2: you what happened. The Holy Spirit said to me, pray 601 00:30:22,080 --> 00:30:24,520 Speaker 2: for others. And she said, I started to argue with 602 00:30:24,560 --> 00:30:27,240 Speaker 2: God on my prayer, like, really, I'm in this pain 603 00:30:27,280 --> 00:30:29,880 Speaker 2: and you want me to pray for others. And she 604 00:30:30,040 --> 00:30:33,200 Speaker 2: just kept feeling that over and over again, pray for others. 605 00:30:33,280 --> 00:30:37,360 Speaker 2: So she started praying for her family, praying for her community, 606 00:30:37,760 --> 00:30:40,800 Speaker 2: praying for her church. And she said that within about 607 00:30:40,840 --> 00:30:44,920 Speaker 2: twenty minutes, she realized, I'm not in pain anymore. And 608 00:30:45,000 --> 00:30:49,040 Speaker 2: she truly believes that God took away her pain when 609 00:30:49,080 --> 00:30:52,680 Speaker 2: she began to put her eyes on the needs of others, 610 00:30:52,840 --> 00:30:56,600 Speaker 2: even in that terrible cancer pain that she was in. 611 00:30:57,280 --> 00:31:00,800 Speaker 2: And I have always held on to her story because 612 00:31:00,880 --> 00:31:04,760 Speaker 2: I truly believe what you said is true that when 613 00:31:04,880 --> 00:31:08,520 Speaker 2: we can pause long enough to take our eyes off 614 00:31:08,560 --> 00:31:12,040 Speaker 2: of ourselves and put them on others. Then the Lord 615 00:31:12,200 --> 00:31:15,280 Speaker 2: just opens up a new wave of his mercy and 616 00:31:15,360 --> 00:31:18,280 Speaker 2: grace that we didn't even know existed. Thank you so 617 00:31:18,440 --> 00:31:22,480 Speaker 2: much for all that you have shared today. I'm honored 618 00:31:22,520 --> 00:31:25,200 Speaker 2: again that you took the time to be here. I'm 619 00:31:25,240 --> 00:31:28,240 Speaker 2: so grateful. Is there anything you would like to leave 620 00:31:28,400 --> 00:31:29,719 Speaker 2: our listeners with today? 621 00:31:29,920 --> 00:31:32,760 Speaker 1: I really appreciate this conversation. It's been encouraging to me 622 00:31:33,040 --> 00:31:35,760 Speaker 1: and I'm just again grateful for this podcast and the 623 00:31:36,480 --> 00:31:39,040 Speaker 1: that you remind us. You know, to fix our eyes 624 00:31:39,080 --> 00:31:41,280 Speaker 1: on Jesus, you know, the author and perfect of our faith, 625 00:31:41,280 --> 00:31:42,120 Speaker 1: and turn to him. 626 00:31:42,320 --> 00:31:44,200 Speaker 2: Yes, would you close us out in prayer? 627 00:31:44,280 --> 00:31:48,160 Speaker 1: Christy, Sure, definitely, Lord Jesus. I thank you God. I 628 00:31:48,200 --> 00:31:51,640 Speaker 1: thank you for your son, Jesus. I thank you that 629 00:31:52,120 --> 00:31:54,959 Speaker 1: you know in this world we will have trouble, but 630 00:31:55,000 --> 00:31:57,920 Speaker 1: we can take part that Jesus has overcome the world, 631 00:31:58,000 --> 00:32:00,280 Speaker 1: and so all the things that we talked about today. 632 00:32:00,320 --> 00:32:02,560 Speaker 1: I do pray for those that are struggling, that those 633 00:32:02,600 --> 00:32:05,160 Speaker 1: that are heartbroken, that those that are aching, that are 634 00:32:05,160 --> 00:32:08,000 Speaker 1: in pain. God, I pray that your presence would be 635 00:32:08,040 --> 00:32:10,360 Speaker 1: with them, that you would meet them in their pain, 636 00:32:10,560 --> 00:32:12,920 Speaker 1: and God that they would be able to testify and 637 00:32:12,960 --> 00:32:16,480 Speaker 1: tell others about the way you met them. And Lord, again, 638 00:32:16,560 --> 00:32:18,840 Speaker 1: I think of that verse. You give us a piece 639 00:32:18,880 --> 00:32:22,760 Speaker 1: that passes all understanding. Yes, I pray for that over 640 00:32:22,800 --> 00:32:25,640 Speaker 1: everyone that's struggling and hurting right now. I thank you 641 00:32:25,720 --> 00:32:28,680 Speaker 1: for this podcast. I thank you for the reminder that 642 00:32:29,760 --> 00:32:33,760 Speaker 1: as we face difficulties and be untangle them with prayer. Lord, 643 00:32:33,840 --> 00:32:36,680 Speaker 1: you are our lifeline. You are the one that we 644 00:32:37,080 --> 00:32:39,240 Speaker 1: want to turn to. And so Lord, I do pray 645 00:32:39,280 --> 00:32:41,920 Speaker 1: for everyone listening that you would meet them right now 646 00:32:42,320 --> 00:32:45,120 Speaker 1: and that they would again glorify you. I just love 647 00:32:45,200 --> 00:32:48,840 Speaker 1: that prayer. And John seventeen were Jesus. He prays that 648 00:32:49,360 --> 00:32:52,280 Speaker 1: he would be glorified so that he could glorify his father. 649 00:32:53,080 --> 00:32:55,560 Speaker 1: And if Jesus praised, that we should be praying that. 650 00:32:55,640 --> 00:32:58,280 Speaker 1: So Lord, I pray that you would glorify us so 651 00:32:58,320 --> 00:33:01,960 Speaker 1: that we can glorify you for our success or favor, 652 00:33:01,960 --> 00:33:05,160 Speaker 1: but that we would be able to testify of your goodness. 653 00:33:05,280 --> 00:33:07,600 Speaker 1: And Lord, I just again I pray that you would 654 00:33:07,720 --> 00:33:11,200 Speaker 1: help us to be bold witnesses, that we would encourage others, 655 00:33:11,320 --> 00:33:14,080 Speaker 1: that we would be a light in this dark world. 656 00:33:14,200 --> 00:33:16,400 Speaker 1: And God, if anyone's listening that doesn't know you I 657 00:33:16,480 --> 00:33:19,120 Speaker 1: pray Father that they would seek you and they would 658 00:33:19,120 --> 00:33:21,240 Speaker 1: find you. We thank you again for all that you've 659 00:33:21,240 --> 00:33:23,480 Speaker 1: given us. I thank you for your word. I thank 660 00:33:23,520 --> 00:33:26,360 Speaker 1: you for that you sanctify us with your truth, and 661 00:33:26,440 --> 00:33:28,480 Speaker 1: I pray that we would go boldly with that today 662 00:33:28,680 --> 00:33:29,880 Speaker 1: in Jesus' name. Amen. 663 00:33:30,800 --> 00:33:33,520 Speaker 2: Amen. Thank you so much for listening to the Untangling 664 00:33:33,560 --> 00:33:37,760 Speaker 2: Prayer Podcast. I'm Rachel Wojo and remember God sees you 665 00:33:38,200 --> 00:33:43,080 Speaker 2: and knows your need. Thanks for joining me on the 666 00:33:43,200 --> 00:33:48,200 Speaker 2: Untangling Prayer Podcast. If this episode resonated with you, share 667 00:33:48,240 --> 00:33:51,000 Speaker 2: it with someone who could use a little hope, and 668 00:33:51,080 --> 00:33:55,680 Speaker 2: be sure to subscribe for more. Until next time, keep seeking, 669 00:33:56,040 --> 00:34:04,960 Speaker 2: keep trusting, and keep praying.