I have a fascination with Forensics.
If I were not called to minister, I would have headed into
this profession for sure.
Hence my love of true crime documentaries and crime fiction
series such as CS!!
Forensics is a set of scientific tools and tests to
establish the truth and the facts behind a criminal offence. Once established,
these facts become evidence that can be used to identify, prosecute and convict
the perpetrator or perpetrators of a crime.
When Dawn and I pioneered the Boiler Room in Liverpool many
years ago now, one of the first initiatives that we needed to activate as part
of a series of other tasks that would enable us to establish the new house of
prayer at that time, was to network like crazy. Build relationships with all
kinds of individuals, agencies, and services in the city community of
Liverpool. One of those relationships gave me a gift that has helped make my
own prayer life super exciting. More about that at the conclusion of this post!
That relationship was with the police.
We built a relationship that meant they would take us out
into some of the difficult crime spots in the city every Thursday night. On
these trips I saw so much. I learned about the signs in our communities of drug
activity. I learned about aspects of the sex trade that would make your hair
stand on end. I learned about all kinds of crime and activity that were
constant sources of wounding to communities.
I saw real evidence of the work of the enemy in our world.
Things that literally stopped people from knowing God.
Those signs are right outside your street, outside our
offices and workplaces, even in them sometimes.
One night the Police took us to a house in a well-known
trouble spot. They showed us a house that they regularly had to check on. It
was a two bedroomed terrace, where a family of around fifteen people lived.
These people had cause mayhem in this area for years. People in the street they
lived were literally scared witless. Change was required to this situation, but
all attempts to deal with the situation were not working. I asked the police
guys we were out with if I could get out of the police van and pray. They
looked at each other as if I was mad! But they agreed to let me get out. I walked
from the van to the house and laid my hand on the wall. I prayed a
straightforward simple prayer, asking the Lord to deal with this situation in
his just and merciful power. I prayed for the family I prayed that the fear
would be lifted from the street. I prayed that the family would be dispersed
from this place. I casually walked back to the van, and we carried on our way.
The following week as we approached this street, the two police guys, one of
which was in the van the previous week, gasped as we approached the troubled
house. It was completely empty and tinned up! They couldn’t believe it and were
so taken aback by the power of prayer! One of them turned to me and said, “Can
you come out with us every day!”
That shortened version of this great demonstration of what
can do through prayer in our communities started me out on a journey that still
makes my prayer mission so edifying and relevant.
I mentioned a gift God equipped me with.
Forensic Prayer!
The journey has taken me to speaking to all kinds of
enterprises both Christian and secular, law enforcement, universities,
community groups, about the changing power of prayer.
My challenge to you is this. What signs can you see when you
are out and about, of the work of the enemy? Even now as I have just walked to
McDonalds for my breakfast this morning, I saw a couple of used syringes on the
floor, a used condom and a set of about twenty lager cans lying on the
pavement.
These led me to pray for those trapped in drug addiction,
sad, weary sex and alcoholism.
The thing is this is forensic evidence that can be used to
make our prayers way more effective!
The thing is.
We present this evidence to the Lord, and we then leave him
to bring justice and peace to the world.
Hey
There is so much work to be done.
And
Jesus is already there.
Let’s commit to joining him in his life changing and life-giving
work in our world!
Be blessed
Gaz
