Written by Bailee Wilson
Friday morning, during our time on Grace Mountain, we were told we’d be doing something that night that’s a little out of routine—a prayer walk through the campus of Colegio J.E.T. I carried this information through the workday, eager to pray over the school, its students, and teachers. As if it were that simple.
But I had no idea just how spiritually and emotionally challenging it would be. I think I speak for most of our team when I say that as soon as we stepped foot on the school grounds, tears immediately began to fall.
Grief and joy coexisting in the form of tears. Feeling overwhelming love for the people who enter this school while also feeling the weight of their grief and spiritual battles. We began our time of prayer in Deidra’s office. 21 people packed into a small office to pray! What an honor it was to pray for the woman who does it all. For her family. To intercede on her behalf. Through tears, we prayed for protection, for rest, for strength, for joy, and for peace.
We continued through the halls and every classroom, praying the same. When my own words fell short, I prayed the scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7 (our focus text for the week) “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” Psalm 23:6 “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” While pouring out prayer over this space, I also couldn’t stop thinking of John 11:35, “Jesus wept.” The shortest verse but one of the most meaningful to me. He wept for his friends. He wept because hard things exist. Jesus wept so that we could weep too on this night.
How privileged am I to serve Jesus, who understands grief. But, oh, does He also understand JOY! We left campus in silence, still feeling the weight but filled with joy. Joy for the opportunity. Joy for what’s to come. Joy to serve a God who understands. The joy of the Lord is our strength, and I pray the same over Colegio J.E.T. It was an evening of family praying for family.
It was an evening of the Holy Spirit taking us deeper than we thought we were capable. It was a blessed opportunity to be able to pray for the space and the people who enter it. May all of Colegio J.E.T be fearless, powerful, and filled with love and the Holy Spirit. I am expectant that the goodness and mercy of the Lord will follow them!
Shining Light Abroad Ministries 