GlocalNet

I love the spontaneity and unexpected nature of worship at NorthWood because of the people and circumstances.  I love it when Muslims come from around the world who are my friends - they are very transparent and don’t know the “protocol” of church so sometimes will break it - and when they do it’s poweful.  I’ve seen the same thing with diplomats, communists, people from other countries and others who come to our church.  They know we are evangelical and may not agree with their theological or political positions, but they know that we love them and care about them. 

Sunday was one of those days.  For the past many years we’ve had exchange students come from Vietnam - primarily Hanoi - come and live with our church members during their senior year of high school.  Most wind up going to the university in the US somewhere - they are always very very very smart. 

The lady who has been in charge of that program from Veitnam is Mrs. Ngha.  Her grandson is one of the exchange students this year.  Most of their parents are business, educators, government, etc.  major leaders in Vietnamese society.  During the first worship service this week - one of the young ladies from Hanoi came up to me (she’s staying with a Kenyan family who attends NorthWood - she’s getting quite a cultural education).  She told me that we should pray for Dzung that his grandfather, Mrs. Ngha’s husband had died this last week.  I want you to get the picture - these are not Christians - but they are in our worship service and they know you pray in a worship service. 

Soooo, in between songs, I went up to the microphone and said we needed to pray for Dzung and his family in the loss of their father and grandfather.  Dzung came and stood beside me in front of everyone.  We all prayed for him and his family - everyone stretched their hands and prayed “Korean” style for him.  When the last Amen was said - we were to walk down - but he stopped and shouted out - he didn’t have a mic - “Thankyou everybody - very much -from my family.” It was very impromptu and when he did - everyone exploded in clapping for him affirming him. 

This morning as I was in my daily worship I was reading Isaiah 56:6-7 “Also foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, To minister to Him, and to love the name of the Lord, To be His servants, everyone who keeps from profaning the sabbath and holds fast My covenant; Even those I will bring to My holy mountain And make them joyful in my House of prayer.  Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on my altar; For my house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.”

God heard our prayers - these are people who do not consider themselves Christian - yet calling out in a time of uncertainty for us to pray for them.  What would it look like to have a prayer ministry for the needs of people of all nations in our churches?  A prayer ministry not conditioned on them being Christians, but conditioned on us loving God and interceding for them when they have needs and issues too big for humanity. 

I felt God in that moment.  As I read Isaiah - I felt like yesterday- that verse was our reality.