Minnie Goes to Heaven (33)

(a novel continued)

“Samuel, how should I prepare?”

“Well to be truthful, you should have prepared on earth. Most Christians live on earth as if that is all of life. They store up treasures down there instead of following the explicit advice of Jesus, ‘Store up your treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust will destroy them.’ This is a shame. On the Great Judgment Day, they won’t have much to take into the new earth.”

Minnie thought back to her life on earth; she did have a few treasures stored up down there, although, there wasn't anything nearly as wonderful as here. 
“Samuel, what can I do now?”

“Learn as much as you can. Worship the Lord from morning till night in all that you do. And, spend time each day interceding for all of humankind back on earth. Many are lost and our God wants everyone to enjoy Him. Use the lake God has given you.”

“The empty lake in front of my cottage?”

“That lake should be constantly filling up.”

“Oh Samuel, I’m so sorry I didn’t know.”

After class Minnie walked back to the cottage. She stood at the edge of the empty lake and watched the stars twinkling beneath. “Dear God,” she said, “Please forgive me for walking by this lake without once interceding for the people down there. Dear God, be real to them. Put a love for you in their hearts. Let them love you most of all and love each other in word and deed. Dear God teach me what to pray. And, Lord, give the people down there a lake-filling desire to pray.” 
A gentle rain began. Minnie danced with delight. “Lord, I praise your name.”  Several big drops splashed into the tiny pool at the bottom of the lake. Minnie promised the Lord, she would be back at lakeside first thing in the morning.

The next morning, even before Hershal had breakfast on the table, Minnie was dressed—this time in a green shift with a leafy belt—and out at the lake, peering down. She saw her town. A few people were up mowing their lawns and washing their cars. Others were still lying in bed. Her husband John was one of those. Not too many were going to their work. It must be Saturday.

Yes, of course, today was the seventh day, all of heaven would be gathering to worship God. She wondered about Sunday. Hershal will know what happens on Sunday. Minnie wanted to run right back into the cottage to ask him, but she forced herself to look at her town. It seemed so dismal there. “Dear Jesus, tell me what to pray.” In her mind she heard the thought, ‘Pray for John.’

“Lord Jesus shine your love on John. Help him to be motivated to use this day for your honour and for your glory. Lift his heart. Let him want to praise you. Fill him with love for those around him. Assure Him that I am here with you.”

John stirred in his bed. A rainbow bent across the lake as a steady rain drizzled down. 

We Pray Because Jesus Answers Prayer

Last week our church had a week of prayer. We were encouraged to spend time during the week fasting and praying. There were opportunities every evening and most mornings to join with others in prayer.

I asked the Lord what or how I should fast. That night I had a dream. I dreamt I was standing with others in front of a table full of chocolates and other sweets. Everyone was eating, but the dream didn’t allow me to even touch the food. When I woke up I took this as my answer.

During the prayer week I went to a prayer time for youth and outreach, one for leaders and one for women. Each prayer time was quite different.

At the first meeting we listened individually for the Lord’s direction and then shared.

At the meeting for leaders, leaders spoke about their greatest challenge and the most rewarding bit of their ministry. Then we formed a sort of fire tunnel, two parallel lines of people which we took turns moving down between as those in the lines prayed and spoke into our lives.

At the women’s prayer meeting we prayed for the people in Haiti. Then we danced a dance expressing service to others and then arranged ourselves on the carpet in the pattern of a giant wheel under a waving banner representing the Fire of God. What felt like electric shock waves kept passing through my body.

Saturday morning a few of us prayed believing the Lord for miracles, signs and wonders. Jesus said heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons (Matthew 10:7&8). We can do all things through Him who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). His word is true. He never lies. Therefore we are able to do what he says: heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers and cast out demons. His kingdom is here.

Sunday our service evolved into a prayer time for Haiti. There was no sermon. We prayed for the comfort, healing, food, water, rebuilding and we prayed that the curse over Haiti would be broken, that people would know Jesus as their help.

I believe every prayer spoken was heard and is being answered by God (John 14:13).