Whispers and Winks from God

Brody (Senior at Northwest High School) {posted with Brody’s permission}

This morning, I had a chance to join the student-led FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) meeting at the high school where I substitute teach. Brody, a senior, read Scripture from I Thessalonians 5:16–18.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

After giving a great explanation of these verses, he prayed and then asked the students to get into small groups of no more than six to share and pray together. One of FCA’s teacher sponsors asked the teachers in the meeting to join a group. I only had four students in my group. I was honored to pray with them and for them. After we prayed, one of the students said something that really spoke to me. Her words were: “It feels so good to release all the things.”

Release all the things? What exactly did she mean? The bell rang, and I didn’t have a chance to chat with her about that statement, but if I had to guess what she meant by that, it might sound something like this: It feels so good to let go of the emotional, mental, and physical burdens. You know, like toxic relationships, self-doubt, grudges, stress, anxiety, depression, peer pressure, cyberbullying, academic pressure, body shaming, and the list could go on and on! Praying allowed that young lady an opportunity to foster peace and growth. This growth isn’t always easy. Sometimes, it means facing our fears, confronting our pain, and letting go of what no longer serves us.

What a blessing to have students bold enough to stand before their peers and read the Word of God and challenge them to “pray without ceasing.” What a blessing to know that when we go to the Lord in prayer, He alone gives us the strength and the ability to release all the things!