Persevering Through the “In-Betweens.”

Where I live, in between the West Coast and the East Coast, February is a pretty dreary month. The excitement of a new year has waned. The promise of spring color and warmer temps is months away. It’s the “in-between” time. Truth be told, that’s where a lot of life is lived and prayers are prayed.

What keeps us going between prayers uttered and prayers answered?

It’s perseverance--a resolve to “persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly.”

I have been encouraged recently by two stories of perseverance. First, by the testimony of mom Angela Yuan who prayed for seven years for an imprisoned, atheist, gay, drug user/dealer son. She and her son now minister together testifying to God’s saving grace and healing. Her son Christopher says, “It was more than obvious that I was unreachable and totally hopeless. But she did not give up. Like the persistent widow, my mother kept bombarding heaven with her desperate pleas…my mother flew…to visit me in jail and before she left, we pressed our hands up against the glass separating us and she prayed over me…my mother stood firm and continued to count the blessings in the midst of difficulties. She did not focus upon my circumstances but clung to God’s Word when things seemed hopeless.”[1] I love that image of praying through a glass wall—what picture of perseverance.

Secondly, I was encouraged by the Apostle Paul’s instruction to the Ephesians. When Paul asks for prayer regarding spiritual warfare, “he doesn’t instruct the Ephesians to pray against the powers and principalities but rather to pray for the saints to persevere and to pray for Paul that he might speak the truth with boldness (Eph. 6:18-12).”[2]

Campus Concerns: (pray one each week for the next month)

• That Moms in Prayer moms will continue steadfastly in prayer for students and colleges.
• For the “saints” on campuses to persist in speaking the truth in love with boldness.
• That Christian students/staff would live such an attractive witness that the deceived on campus would no longer be blinded to God’s glory. (2 Corinthians 4:4)
• That as a result of the Collegiate Day of Prayer on Feb. 28 (have you registered?) revival and transformation will break out on campuses.

Ministry of Focus:

• Campus Alpha--the goal of Campus Alpha is to engage young adults and college students with the good news of Jesus Christ.

[1] Exodus International. “Woman of the Word and a Woman of Prayer.” Real Life Stories. 2006: 1-2. Print. See more at www.christopheryuan.com.

[2] Greg Koukl. “The Bible: Fast Forward. 2011: 21. Print.

Continuing steadfastly together,

Julie Loos
College Groups Facilitator
Moms in Prayer International
636.527.8369
College@MomsInPrayer.org
www.MomsInPrayer.org