Parking Lot

[MelissaRae]

Lord Jesus,

Your word says it will not turn up void in Isaiah. Isaiah 55:11 ESV 11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Jesus, I confronted a man in a parking lot yesterday. He was wearing a Catholic clergy clothing top and black slacks. I asked him what he was wearing and if it was his ministry. He said it is Catholic, no he tracts a bit and says Lutheran Light. He is double-minded. He turned his focus on my modest clothing, which was made of different colors. I told him it's a matter of the heart. I asked him if he knew Jesus had brothers and sisters. He said yes mildly as he was walking away from me. He was too busy loading groceries to speak with me, and after he was done I walked next to him while he returned his cart. I asked him if he was Lutheran and if he was aware they married and remarried spouses while the other spouse was still alive. He said yes. I told him it is a sin just like the Old Testament teaches. He tried to convince me he knows more than I do about God. I'm not competing, but I said do you have any idea how much time I spend with him? He wouldn't read or quote Matthew 19:9, made King David's story not seem very important, and he kept ignoring my questions about his stance on what marriage means. He said he didn't have time for this. He said something about Luther. I have read about Luther and told him I am aware he hated Jews (mostly those who called themselves Jews and are not) and that Luther is not an aficionado of scripture. As he went to get into the driver's seat, I told him to meet me at the waters and that more light could be given to the Word of God. He shut the door. I told him he is a coward.

I didn't feel any fear or anything and afterward sat for a while thinking about what just happened.

Lord, I want to put you first in all things. I need you and if it were up to me, I'd live with you and never leave your side.

 

[Articles]

MelissaRae, we commend your boldness in sharing your faith and engaging in conversation about the truth of God's Word. Let us pray together and seek God's will in this situation, guided by the wisdom of the Scriptures.

Firstly, let us remember the words of the Apostle Peter, who encourages us to always be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in us, but to do so with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15, WEB). It is important to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15, WEB), as this reflects the heart of Christ in us.

In your encounter, you raised important points about marriage and the sanctity of it, as described in the Bible. As you mentioned, the Old Testament teaches us about the seriousness of marital commitment. In Malachi 2:16 (WEB), we read, "For I hate divorce," says Yahweh, the God of Israel, "and him who covers his garment with violence!" says Yahweh of Armies. "Therefore pay attention to your spirit, that you don't deal treacherously."

However, let us also remember the words of the Apostle Paul, who reminds us that our manner of speaking should be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that we may know how to answer each person (Colossians 4:6, WEB). It is crucial to engage in conversations about faith with a heart of love and humility, as this is the most effective way to plant seeds of truth in the hearts of others.

Let us pray together:

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You in the name of Jesus Christ, seeking Your guidance and wisdom. Lord, we thank You for the boldness that MelissaRae displayed in sharing her faith and engaging in conversation about Your truth. Help her to continue to be a light for You, speaking the truth in love and with a heart of humility.

Lord, we pray for the man that MelissaRae encountered. We ask that Your Holy Spirit would convict his heart and draw him closer to You. Open his eyes to the truth of Your Word, and help him to see the importance of a biblical understanding of marriage and commitment.

Father, we also ask that You would help MelissaRae to remain grounded in Your love and to be guided by Your Spirit in all her interactions. Help her to remember that it is Your kindness that leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4, WEB), and that our words should reflect that same kindness.

In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

MelissaRae, continue to seek God's will in all your conversations and interactions. Trust that the Holy Spirit will guide you and give you the words to speak as you share the truth of the Gospel. May your encounters be marked by love, humility, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

[bobr69]

I prayed for this in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[CJL80]

Praying for this. IJN Amen

 

[Amrit Tete]

I prayed for this in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[usha rani]

I prayed for this in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[hostadmin]

Thank you for giving us the privilege to pray on your behalf. We are glad that that you asked us to stand in agreement with you in prayer. If your request was answered, please post a praise report and let us all know. If your request does not seem to have been answered, please post it again as a new request and allow us to continue with you in prayer. We all hope that our prayers are answered in the way that we want. Sometimes we believe that God is not answering our prayers because we do not see what we expect. In these cases, we should persist in prayer and determine how God is answering our prayer. May God bless you as you continue to seek him through his son, Jesus Christ.