Every month, Cru® staff members in Chicago gather with partner ministries in the Roseland neighborhood to pray. One particular day, they planted themselves on three different street corners, praying for whomever they encountered.
Recently, they had a handful of exciting reports from this faithful commitment to their community. A woman named Kimberly was working at a nearby business when she came out to them, asking for a Bible. She told them she was just getting to know God, and that was what she needed! Two police officers wanted to receive prayer, but asked to call their partners first because they needed it, too. But one encounter in particular stood out …
With a scarred face and visible bruises, a young woman approached Diane, asking for her to pray. Diane first asked her name — Cindy — then she asked what Cindy would like prayer about. Cindy’s pain was evident as she spoke, “Everything in my life is going wrong. I don’t know why I’m alive.” Diane responded to Cindy with compassion, telling her about Jesus and how deeply He loved her.
Cindy wept at Diane’s words. Cindy explained through tears that she had tried to take her life the day before. She was not successful, and merely fainted on the pavement — hence her scrapes and bruises. Diane continued to explain the gospel and how Jesus cared for Cindy. She told Diane that she didn’t just want God, she knew she needed Him! Tears still rolling down her bruised cheeks, Cindy prayed with Diane to accept Christ as her personal savior! Diane and Cindy plan to meet for follow-up, to learn about scripture and options to deal with the hard things in Cindy’s life.
This is a beautiful picture of what it means to share partnerships empowered by the Holy Spirit to draw the hurting and lost to Jesus! Thank God for what He did that day in Cindy’s life, and the journey she has just begun. And thank God for our partners who faithfully reach out to reap, sow, and bless in the inner city.
