Originally posted 9-11-2009. Reposted July 29, 2010
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A small group leader I know told me that his group decided they wanted to do more than take up all the parking in the neighborhood where they met. They decided to go to every home in the neighborhood and say, “We pray for every household in this edition. Is there any way you’d like us to pray for you specifically?” This gave them some great opportunities to bless their neighborhood and meet some needs. Also they would periodically return to each home and remind the neighbors they were being prayed for.
One man in the neighborhood was always friendly but simply answered “No thanks” every time the group came by. Even when he was diagnosed with cancer he declined the group’s prayers. Two weeks after his cancer diagnosis, however, he was also diagnosed with HIV. The doctor told him that because the HIV had compromised his immune system there was no possible treatment for the cancer. He was given a death-sentence.
That evening he went to the home where the group met and knocked on the door. The host family answered and invited him in where he told his story. That weekend he came to church with the small group and he gave his life to Christ.
I’d like to say that God healed his cancer and used the guy to reach hundreds of people with his miraculous testimony, but God allowed him to die. The great news is that healing did come though; death was his healing. He entered God’s Kingdom forgiven and perfect…all because a small group offered to pray for him.
Is your group doing more than taking up parking? How is your group blessing the community and making an eternal difference?