Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem
In our bustling, urban society, we are seldom physically ALONE. Yet, it is possible to feel "Lonely", even in a crowd of people.
Four years ago, in Hawaii, I found myself REALLY alone, when my best friend died in my arms in a helicopter over a volcano. (Yes...I KNOW that sounds crazy, but it really happened!) Although the Helicopter Company put me up for the night, I still had to drive back to the hotel in Kona, which was over 100 miles from the Hilo Airport. Since it was The Fourth of July, the Main Road around the Island would be choked up with Parades and Celebrations, so I was obliged to take "The Saddle Road" between the two volcanoes, which had no services for over 50 miles, and was considered a "seismic area". (I might note to our Hawaii FReepers, that although the Saddle Road is now improved and open to travelers, at the time there was still quite a "Mystique" about it.)
The Helicopter Company representative filled my rented car with gas and pointed me in the direction of the Saddle Road, and I was on my way...alone.
Imagine driving across a plateau on Mars, and you might get an idea of what it was like. It would have been VERY EASY to feel alone in such a situation, and yet, I had a comfort inside that could only have come from God.
The following day, I went (alone) to three sites which could be called "spiritual". The First was the City of Refuge National Park, which was very interesting. The second was a Buddhist "Peace Garden" which was very pretty, filled with tropical flowers and trees. The third was "The Painted Church" which was a lovely little chapel, hand-painted with Bible scenes by a Catholic Priest 100 years ago. Since it was pouring rain, I toured ALL THREE of these sites ALONE. Of the three, only the Painted Church had any reference to the One True God Whom I worship.
Walking around the "Peace Garden" in the rain, I realized I was surrounded by idols. The same could be said of "The City of Refuge", although it had tremendous Historical Significance.
Even though I was "alone", I really wasn't. The One True God, The God Of My Life, ministered to my spirit in a way that was indescribable, even in the midst of the rain, the flowers, the idols, the historic sites, and the desolate lava fields of the Saddle Road. It was as if I was given a chance to be truly "Alone With God" in spite of all the distractions.
Come and Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.
HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR!
God Bless America!
Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.
This Symbol Represents Christians in The Middle East, who desperately need our Prayers.
Hallelujah and Amen
ML/LTOS