As Jane and I arrived at the prayer room for our one hour time slot to pray for the city, Jill was just backing it out of the alley so that the garbage dumpster could be put back in place. After some back and forth the prayer room was again reversed into its narrow parking space so that the ministry could resume. It was hot. We were installed in this tin box with our friend, Jill Weber, the director of the Greater Ontario House of Prayer (GOHOP) and began to worship together. As we sang spontaneously and prayed for Hamilton, and for Living Rock the odd passer by would ignore us on their way back to their office, or give us a strange look. I began to think, "You're the ones who are strange - this is normal! You really are an odd passer by...."

Is it odd to establish a prayer base on the open streets - not in a conventional and specially designed building? I don't think so. We as Christians must remember that it is everyone else who is missing it and losing it - we're just doing what God says. Its the same kind of forgetfulness that makes us apologetic when the challenge is thrown at us (like a spear!), "What do you mean by saying, 'Jesus is the only way'? How can you be so arrogant?"
What we forget is that we didn't say that, Jesus did. We might well suggest that they take it up with Him.

Jesus also prayed in public as well as in private. If you've never tried it, give it a go some time. I think of all the bold things we could do: Next time you're on an elevator, make an invitation, "Is there anyone here who would like me to pray for them?" (Would you?)

I have found that the boldness leads to a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, almost vindication, even when in the grand scheme of things it looks so small. One time, not too long ago, in order to assist with a friend's ministry assignment, Jane and I went with guitar at the ready and set up outside a coffee shop right in downtown Burlington. We began to worship on the street. Our friend preached. Car windows were rolled down to hear what was going on. No one told us to leave or confronted us with, "You can't do that here!"

The first person out of the coffee shop was a man in a wheel chair. He stopped to listen and we stopped to pray with him. What a great opportunity had been created. I know he was encouraged that day in his faith, and thankful that we were there. Perhaps its time to take inventory of what we believe, and to what extent that belief will carry us into practical application. Its time to give the eccentrics who live their lives in the shadows, without knowing God, a chance to get real.

Links:
GOHOP
Living Rock