In Jesus there is Hope

We began to walk around the Budda Stupa, the opposite way as is customary. Chants, prayers and incense fill the air. Bowed heads, hands touching the prayer wheels and hearts longing for forgiveness, peace and life. 

A spirit of heaviness was evident and spiritual darkness was all around. Breaking into teams of two, my team began to pray against the darkness, begging God to use us to shine true light. Our team leader had one simple instruction for us - "follow the Holy Spirit and allow Him to direct your prayers and actions."

Crowds of people walk clockwise, circumnavigating the Stupa three times. Courtney and I walked the path counterclockwise, praying for these beautiful people, so lost, yet dear to the heart of God. 

We stopped to pray for an elderly lady. 

An old man with a prosthetic leg was put on our hearts. We prayed blessings and healing and that he would come to know Jesus - something changed as we proclaimed the name of Jesus. 

A tour guide greeted us and spoke English well. He offered to share his knowledge of the Stupa. We confessed we couldn't pay him, to which he responded "your happiness is my reward." For the next 10 mins he shared about Buddhism, and I shared about Christianity - and how they compare. We had to cut it short, and as I shook his hand I said "I will pray that you come to know Jesus!"

Will you join me? Join me in praying that God would reveal Himself to this tour guide.

We left, with hearts heavy yet full of God's faithfulness. We are simply to obey Jesus, plant the seeds of the gospel and pray - He will be faithful to finish the work. 

"Put your hope in God, for I will yet prose Him, my savior and my God." Psalm 42:5b