Answered Prayers...

       I often tell people that without our partnerships and resources, New York City Relief could not operate as an organization.  And in fact its true.  Its because we have places to connect men and women to, the Relief Bus can operate as a doorway to healing.  However I was reminded just last Thursday of our most powerful resource: prayer.
      Two weeks ago I had a gentleman named Keith come to the bus inquiring about potential employment.  Truth be told out of all the services the Relief Bus offers, employment placement is the most difficult.  Often times I teach people how to find work, things like showing people how to use employment websites, how to write resumes, and setting people up with emails.  After he told me that he was actively looking for work and had sent his resume to multiple places, I told him that there wasn't much more that I would be able to do for him.  As he got up to leave I said there was actually one thing that I could do, which was pray.  I shared with him a little bit of how Christ promised to take care of our needs and that I had faith that God would provide for him.  As I put my hand on Keith's arm to pray he gave me a very uncomfortable look.  I asked him if he thought this was weird.  Awkwardly he laughed and said it felt very weird.  I laughed back and agreed it can appear to be weird.  I then continued to pray Christ's promise of provision over him.  As he left I told him to come visit me again to give me an update.
         The very next week (this past Thursday) Keith came by.  Excitedly he told me that just a few hours after I prayed for him he got a call back from one of the places he applied to and had got the job!  As I hugged him in celebration I reminded him (and myself) that pray does work!  He of course let me pray for him again!
       Often times I know I can get bogged down, discouraged, angry, sad, depressed, and just tired from the everyday things that come against us.  Although I know I need to keep in constant prayer, it sometimes goes by the way side.  Keith's story was a personal reminder to myself that despite the highs and lows of our lives, God is still sitting with open arms waiting for us to acknowledge His presence, provision, and love in our lives.  May none of us ever forget this! Please pray that God would continue to show Keith His infinite love for him.  And pray for myself, that God would continually remind me to seek Him at all times.  Grace & peace to you all...