Sometimes we surround ourselves with people who already know God. Don’t get me wrong it is vitally important to have fellowship together, to learn from each other and find encouragement.  Something incredibly special and unique happens when the people of God gather together to pray and worship as the body of Christ.  It is not God’s plan that we live out Christianity in isolation.

However, if we are serious about sharing God’s hope, then we also need to be intentional about sharing our lives with people who don’t know him yet too.

I met a man in a hospital one day, he had been very unwell. We were just having a casual chat ‘where are you from? Where do you work?’  I told him where I was from and that I was a minister.  By this time his family had come to see him and were gathering round his bedside.  I was about to leave to give them some space when he said ‘will you pray for me?’  Of course, I assured him that would keep him in my prayers and I turned to leave.  It was at that moment he grabbed me by the arm with an urgent and slightly uncomfortable force and called out ‘NO! pray for me now!’  I could see the awkward looks darting back and forth between his family, obviously more and a little surprised by the request.  To be honest I too felt the awkwardness of the situation.  However, I prayed.

Honestly my assumption was that no one is really that interested in God any more.  God taught me a valuable lesson that day.  People are desperate for God!  keep telling his story!