About two weeks ago- a very amazing thing happened one evening. It was Saturday and we were hosting an amazing team from America (MOW- Mountian of Worship with Danny Steyne). One of the big ministry focuses for the team was the Overwhelmed Conference in Nelspruit. So we naturally wanted to be at all the sessions but with small kids, that is not always feasible. So Jean asked me in the morning if I wanted to go to the morning session or the evening session…..and I exciting picked evening! I asked a few friends from Backdoor to come with me but everyone had other plans, so I went alone (Jean stayed home with the girls). So the Holy Spirit moved so powerfully that night and I was so super blessed and refreshed! Several of us lingered at the altars soaking in the rich presence, until they were locking up.
As usual, I asked for some angles to guard the car and myself as I drove home. Little did I know, that prayer might have saved my life….or at least my purse and/or car☺
I live in an informal township/settlement in South Africa. Unemployment is super high and the community struggles with other huge issues like no water/high HIV rates/etc. And like many other poor, urban areas- there is a very high crime rate.
So when I pulled onto the Backdoor road, another car was right in front of me. There are no street lamps in these areas, so we did not see the ambush until it was upon us. A car was parked vertically in the middle of the road to block anyone from getting by. Men with objects were getting out and heading our way….I knew they were not coming to say “Hi” so I screamed “Jesus” and I went for it I expected to hit that car since there was no way I could simply drive past…but I did! I got by with out hitting the wall near the road or the car blockade.
Once I was safely past and down the road, I called the local police since I was concerned for the poor car in front of me (I had boxed them in!) I went home a bit shaken and a bit heavyhearted for the other car. The next day Pastor Jeffery (the most incredible Backdoor leader who always knows whats going on) asked around and he says nothing happened to anyone that he knows of (if someone got hurt/robbed) because the buzz on the streets would have confirmed it. So we prayerfully believe that other car also got out and no one was hurt!
Friends, never underestimate the power of prayer…even the silly, half-hearted ones we say without thinking.
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:15-17
These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.
Psalm 42:3-5
