Yeast, and that wonderful question: “Can I pray for you?”
Reading: Luke 13
Scripture
Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.” Luke 13:20-21 NIV
Observations
Recently I have had the privilege of praying for people in our central city through a ministry called Healing on the Streets. The folks we pray for are passers by who stop to talk, respond to our invitation for prayer, and are brave enough to take a seat and allow two or three of our team to gather around and pray for them, in full view of other shoppers.
I believe that in those few brief minutes of prayer, the folks we pray for truly come into contact with the presence of God.
And so I love this thought that the kingdom of God is like yeast. I like to think that during those short encounters people have with God, a deposit of the “yeast of the Kingdom” is given to them.
And just as yeast, when the conditions are right, will cause dough to rise, so the yeast of the Kingdom, when the conditions become right, can bring to a person life and restoration and the joy of a relationship with God.
Application
Every invitation I make to pray for someone is an opportunity to give that person an encounter with God. For some that encounter will be profound; for others, it may simply be a curiosity. But no matter how insignificant it may seem at the time, the kingdom of God is like yeast! Who knows what effect that little deposit of yeast might have as the Spirit does his work.
At work, at school, on the street, at the mall, or with family and friends, I will always have opportunities to offer to pray — opportunities too precious to miss.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, please give me opportunities to share the yeast of the Kingdom. Help me to see and respond to the needs of those around me, in practical ways, but also by offering to pray. May I be gentle but bold, and always motivated by love as I ask the question, “Can I pray for you?”
Posted on November 18, 2013, in Healing, SOAP and tagged Christianity, faith, God's presence, Great Commission, healing, kingdom of God, sharing our faith, speak blessing. Bookmark the permalink. 3 Comments.
Sneaking Off With God... 
Hi Simon, I am really impressed with what you are doing there. A great talk and a great ministry. It is also awesome to see that you have a bunch of helpers/fellow ministerers (not sure if that is a word, but is is now). God bless you buddy.
Thank you Jason, I appreciate your encouragement. It’s still early days for us with Healing on the Streets, but we have a great team, and are looking forward to having many opportunities to talk and pray with people over the coming months and years.
Stepping over the “chicken line” only helps to prove what we all probably suspect, that fear is just something in our head.
Thanks Jason, it’s so good when you step out in faith and discover that God has been preparing a whole bunch of like-minded people to join you. This has happened to me before, and it just goes to show that when God calls us, he also equips us and supports us, no matter how out of our depth we feel. God bless:-)