Tanzanian Prayer Warrior

It was the middle of the night on a 16 hour plane flight. All of the lights were out and the quiet hum of the flight had lulled most to sleep. I needed to go to the bathroom so I walked my way back to the bathroom. It was occupied so I decided to stand and stretch when I noticed this woman in the middle of the bulkhead seat. 

Her light was the only light on in the entire plane. I realized her eyes were closed but her lips were moving. I then noticed that she was holding a Bible in her left hand and a pen in her right hand hovering over her spiral journal. I realized I was witnessing a holy moment. 

It felt so sacred seeing her in her quiet sanctuary praying. She was so beautiful. It was like the Shekina glory of God surrounded her.  I wanted to photograph her so I could try to paint her later, but I knew that that it would be wrong to photograph her so I just stood there and prayed over her while she prayed. 

Then all of a sudden a random man climb over her in the bulkhead seat and stir her out of her prayer. I was able to greet her and tell her she was beautiful. 

After the flight I saw her again, but this time I was able to ask her name. Meet Jane! 

Jane was returning from a family funeral in Tanzania. My heart broke as I introduced her to Danna. I offered to pray and she let me pray over her. Danna and I drew close to her and as I was praying, she fell to her knees right there in the airport on the floor. Danna and I bent low with her as I finished the prayer. Her grief was so raw. My heart broke more sharing the pain of saying good bye for now. I prayed for the God of All Comfort to pour His comfort and compassion on her family. 

When I was done she said, "How like the God of All Comfort to send someone to the airport to give me comfort as I am flying home." 

We took a photo together, hugged goodbye, and then we were off to our flights.  Strangers for a moment bonded in prayer and parting as sisters in Christ. 

When I got home I gave Greg my photo of Jane to him and asked him to have Ai recreate the scene for me so I could use it as my visual. I am amazed at what he was able to recreate for me. 

I call her my Tanzanian Prayer Warrior!

A simple process to follow when someone spirals

Have you ever allowed fear to drive how you react? Or have you ever allowed bad theology to drive a thought process?  

I sure have! Ugh! I think this is why these stood out to me in in today's widow story.

The widow of Zarephath has the man of God living with her in the upper room. She has experienced the miracle of the flour and oil not running out. Yet, when her son took ill and started breathing in her crisis she fell prey to her emotion and bad theology rather than remember the present truth she has learned about God.

Ugh. It is so real. Our past formation is so hard to shed and some of it doesn't shed quickly. Yeah, I know some does instantly. But we all have something that is still in the process of being transformed. 

So, what do we do when we are confronted with someone in a spiral?

Elijah nailed it. He didn't defend himself, debate it, or negate it. He took action. He picked up the boy, removed himself and the boy, and prayed.

He left and prayed. He went to God. Make sure you catch that repeat. It was intentional. 

When he prayed, he said three things. 

1. He acknowledged the circumstance.

2. He asked God if He was in it.

3. He asked for the need.

God heard.

God answered. 

They both lived in the blessing.

Truly, a simple process. Don't ya think?