Lost and Found

About two months ago I found myself in "Main Street Pub", a far from "classy" little bar downtown waiting impatiently to do my favorite thing...sing! I am a lover of karaoke for those of you who don't know me very well.

FOCUS Student leaders Taber, Me, and Rachel

Two of my bible study girls, Betsy, Rachel, and I sat at the edge of a bar table and watched in awe as the intoxicated crowd danced and laughed obnoxiously around us. The wonderful stale smell of cigarettes filled the air as I sat there in my long, white, "angel" skirt drapping off the barstool. As I sat in wonder asking God if I should consider finding a new hobby, a young man walked by me in a shirt that had an image of a man in white with demon like figures surrounding him; I'm guessing it was a type of band logo or something. Anyways, I thought to myself, "that is happening right now! We are surrounded by evil spirits who are constantly waiting for the perfect moment to latch on!" So, I closed my eyes and started to pray, "In the name of Jesus, Satan get behind me. In the name of Mary, Satan get behind me." Just then I heard a voice say to me, "Are you meditating or something?!" I opened my eyes to see a young man standing in front of me. "You were in a better place just then, weren't you?!" I chuckled and said, "Yes, actually, I was praying." He looked at me with his big blue eyes glazed over and with a look of guilt and the sound of desperation in his voice he asked me if I was a woman of faith.

We do not understand the power of prayer but that night was just another example of how God is waiting for us to call upon Him! We are always in the midst of Spiritual Warfare. Our Lord wants us to be His soldiers and He will answer our call for the glory of His Kingdom. He will use you as His instrument if you let Him.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. (Jn. 15:16)

That night I met Brandon. I believe with all my heart that Our Lord forced Satan to get behind me and thus, a door was open. Brandon revealed to me that he was at the worst point in his life, he didn't know where to go or what to do. He had been dry of alcohol for 8 months before that night, his girlfriend broke up with him, and he lost his faith. He felt empty and needed someone to talk to. Brandon was open to finding God again and making Christ the center of his life. He asked me if I knew anyone who could help him become a man of faith again. Praise the Lord! God opened the doors for Brandon.

It had been awhile since I heard from Brandon but just this week I invited him to Praise and Worship at the Newman Center. He texted me back, "Kristine I was just thinking of you and Yes I will be there!" Brandon came to the Newman and was able to talk to Fr. Tom, a visiting priest, who helped him immensely. Brandon is at the start of a beautiful conversion and we would love your prayers! Please pray for him that God's will will be done in his life and that he will find the peace that he once knew in Christ Jesus.

Thank you so much for all your prayers! Remember...

"Whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Mt. 21:22)