As we wrap up week nine of the Youth
Development and Mentoring program (YDM) we are very happy with how the students
are doing. One of the highlights for me was on Wednesday when we were preparing
for some discipleship review. As I walked into the classroom the students were
talking about something so I asked what was going on. Several looked at one of the girls and said, “You
need to tell Mr. Duran what is going on.”
She told me that she was having sharp pains
and that she may need surgery. It sounded
serious, so I asked for volunteers to pray for her. You could have heard a pin
drop. When I pressed them for a volunteer some said they did not know how to
pray.
I knew at that moment - we were not going
to be doing review. I asked each student to get a blank sheet of paper and to
write ten things they were thankful for. Some were able to list ten things
right away, but others struggled. Next they were asked to write down five
things they needed. Lastly I asked them to write down the first names of five people
they knew who were not saved.
I told them they had to pray by themselves
using their list as a guide for five minutes. They were to give thanks for the
things they were thankful for; they were to pray for God’s will for their needs;
and they were to pray for the five people that have not made a commitment to
Christ.
Walking around the room watching and praying
over them I noticed only two out of 13 had no problem praying for five minutes. I next instructed them to get into groups of
3-4 and share one of their prayer needs. Each had to pray out loud for that
person. I gave them 15 minutes to pray and the looks on their faces were
priceless. Pray for 15 minutes? How? There is no way!
We were standing in one of those God moments . Catherine and I walked
around the room praying over them as they prayed for each other. Almost 30 minutes later I had to stop
them so we could continue our studies. When
I told them how long they had prayed they were all shocked. Asked how they felt
after praying, they all responded that it was great and that they felt much better. It was as if a heavy weight had been lifted
off their shoulders.
What an incredible moment. To witness God
working in and through them was like getting a glimpse of heaven on earth.
Fears were overcome, doubt was replaced with confidence and the enemy who had
his clutches on them was defeated in prayer that day! It was so amazing ... and
we got to be a part of it.
