Pray for each other. (James 5:16
I RECEIVED THE NEWS of my mother’s passing right before I had to go teach. As I entered the classroom, I tried to act normal. My pride warned me, “Don’t cry. Don’t let your students know.” However, my emotions overcame me. Words of instruction wouldn’t come out. Only agonizing sobs came forth, accompanied by tears. I then confessed my pride and told my students about my mother’s passing. I needed them to pray for me.
The neatest thing then took place. My students got up from their seats, surrounded me, and laid their hands upon me. Different ones began to pray out loud. It was wonderful to be ministered to by my students.
At the end of the semester, one of the students wrote me a note. “Umfundisi, thank you for ministering to me. Your emotions gushing forth in front of us after you got news about your mother really spoke to my heart. I have been one who has tried to hide things from others. I know I should have sought the help of others, but I kept things to myself. When I heard you ask us to pray for you, something broke inside of me. I realized that if my professor can ask his students for help, then I should be willing to ask others to help me. Your transparency spoke to me. Thank you.”
Give someone the opportunity to pray for you today.
Jim “Umf” Lo is the coauthor of Unholiness: Overcoming the Forces That Attack Your Soul.
© 2018 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
