A young boy in the family, mesmerized by the night sky, asked, "Daddy, why don't we have stars like this at home?" His father explained that the brightness of the stars is hidden because of all the electric lights. The child became silent, deep in thought and then suddenly broke out of his pensive mood with the exclamation: "I wonder what else we're missing!"
Both were unmistakeably about the presence and power of God. And both were about hosting that presence.
Victory Church in Cwmbran has been caught up in a great move of God over the last two months. It all began when a man who had been confined to a wheelchair for 10 years was healed when hands were laid on him in prayer. Since that moment, sensing that God wanted to continue moving in power, the church has been consistently worshipping and praying, with a few exceptions, every night. Hundreds are being drawn to the church, hundreds are making first time committments to Christ and hundreds are being healed. You can read a very balanced account of it all here.
I was with them on day 50 of this outpouring. By that time there had been 250 reported healings, of which 50 had been medically authenticated as miracles. And, perhaps more importantly, people and communities were being transformed by the tangible touch of God. Speaking with the pastors of the church, they spoke of how the events that were overtaking them were forcing them to surrender themselves in prayer, day by day, moment by moment.
Cynthia Bourgeault, an internationally renowned authority on contemplative prayer, offered something very different. She spoke of how radically surrendered prayer can transform our consciousness and take us into the very heart of God in such a way that the wholeness and abundance of the reality of the Kingdom of God can break through into the present moment.
Two very different experiences. One very important connection.
I wonder what else we're missing?
.
