No Greater Privilege
Feb 2, 2020 | by Nancy Newbrough
When my husband and I started attending The Fellowship about 20 years ago, we soon learned that LIFE Groups are the heart of this church. It is where we truly experience “fellowship” -- that authentic Biblical community where we can love and be loved, grow spiritually through studying the Scriptures together, encourage each other, experience accountability, serve together on community projects, and enjoy socializing with one another. LIFE Groups lift us out of isolation into real Christian connectivity.
Since we were new to the area, getting connected to other Christians and studying the Bible together was a big priority. We began investigating and were excited to find a LIFE Group meeting in our neighborhood. Because our families were in Oklahoma and Canada, it was a real blessing! After a few years, we decided to become a host home and have continued to serve the Lord in that way ever since.
There is no greater privilege from being in a LIFE Group than praying for each other. When faced with life’s challenges, it is so comforting to know we are being lifted before the Lord by those who truly know and care for us. In the same way, when we are overflowing with joy because God has answered our prayer, our thankfulness multiplies exponentially because it is also an answer for those who joined us in petitioning the Lord!
Last year, our youngest child graduated from high school and started his first semester at college. He was so excited to reach that milestone in his life, and off he went – leaving us as empty- nesters. One of the first realities that confronted him was how quickly his spending money disappeared. So, when Christmas break was approaching, he shared with us his plan for getting a part-time job during the month he was off from school.
The thought of working in a strange place with people he did not know was way out of his comfort zone. My husband is from Canada, and our son had loved earning some money in the summer by working on a farm for his uncle in Alberta. But that was with family and a very enjoyable situation. Because our son was nervous about getting a job in unfamiliar circumstances, I began writing a request in my prayer journal asking God to provide just the right opportunity for him.
Some dear friends (part of the LIFE Group that meets Wednesday nights in our home) own a landscaping business. They had been requesting prayer for helpers, especially during the Christmas season because it is a very busy time for their company. Many of their employees traditionally travel during that time to spend the holidays with extended family.
At our LIFE Group meeting right after our son had just gotten home for the Christmas break, these friends again requested prayer for workers. When our group finished praying, my husband asked: “Would you be interested in hiring our son?” The husband quickly replied, “Yes, he can start tomorrow.” So, the next day, he was working!
As a parent, I was praying that it would go well. Well, our son came home all smiles, so eager to tell us everything the owner had already taught him about landscaping! And the other employees at the business were so helpful and encouraging as he learned the ropes. God knew this was exactly what our son needed to gain confidence about succeeding in a new challenge!
One day he came in from work with a big grin on his face! "Look, I have a paycheck!" he said. When the time came to go back to school, he was so thankful for this experience … and for the money he had been able to save!
I was overjoyed to witness how God had used our LIFE Group to meet each other’s need! Prayer is such a privilege and deepens our faith in His care for every concern that we have!
R.D.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6