One of my earliest, and certainly my most powerful, childhood memories is of my mom singing me to sleep. She'd start with fun, lilting songs about God's promises for me, and progress to old hymns that moved her heart to tears long after she thought I was asleep.
I count her prayers and those late night worship sessions as largely responsible for my relationship with Jesus.
This past week we had the incredible privilege of serving overnight at Moria. This shift goes from 1am-9am, and I think it may be my favorite. For the most part, this shift involves making sure that people have what they need throughout the night and being present in case refugees come through the camp very late (which is unlikely).
I helped refill baby bottles and clean up trash, and then had hours left over to simply be present in the camp.
Though some milled about, most were in their rooms, presumably sleeping. It was incredibly quiet, peaceful, and still, and TOTALLY unlike what we have experienced at Moria over the last week.
In the stillness, I asked God what to pray for. His overwhelming reply: REST.
In speaking to many of the refugees over the last few days, an overwhelming theme of our conversations has been exhaustion- they have traveled for days and weeks, sleeping outdoors, or not sleeping at all. Parents have stayed awake to care for children and to guard their families. Everyone tosses and turns with fears about the future and the ever-present dangers of their situation. They need rest.
And so, I Mama-walked. I walked up and down the rows of the compound, where almost a thousand stayed. I sang hymns about trusting Jesus, about his victory over death, about his goodness to us. And
I prayed Matthew 11:28-30 up and down the rows.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Oh, Jesus.
I heard him SO loud- his incredible passion and desire for these precious people. His desire that they find a home and rest and peace in his arms. Come, come, come.
And as I prayed those verses over and over and over and over, I asked that Jesus grant supernatural rest. That worries melt away for just a minute. For energy and vitality to sneak into tired bones. For Jesus to breathe life and strength into the Papas and Mamas who still have to carry their children the rest of the way.
And I'm trusting that he did. And that he is.
In the grand scheme of things, I was far less "productive" that night. I only interacted with a few refugees throughout the night and woke very tired people the next morning before leaving. But I'm pretty sure it was the most profound night of ministry yet.
The great thing about the ministry of intercession is that you can do it from anywhere. And so, I have a challenge for you. We are 7 hours ahead of EST time out here, so the night shift will begin at 6pm your time and end at 2am. Would you commit to taking half an hour, sometime during that period over the next week, to pray specifically for the people sleeping in Moria?
You can pray for rest or salvation or any of the things I mentioned, or ask the Father what you should pray for. If you do, I would love to hear what he tells you! Let's do this together.
Love you all,
Chelsie
Kommentarer