The title encapsulates the core of my narrative, shedding light on my upbringing devoid of religious influence and the unforeseen significance of encountering prayer within the school environment.
From Kindergarten through 7th grade, each day commenced with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and a practice called "prayer." This term was unfamiliar to me, never having been heard in my household, let alone practiced.
Discovering the notion of "prayer" ignited my childhood curiosity. Around 4th grade I set out on a solitary journey for comprehension, wandering into nearby churches within walking distance without any direction. However, I found myself unnoticed and devoid of the nurturing guidance in God's teachings. Realizing the futility of my search within the confines of church walls, I ceased my exploration.
God was watching over me, guiding me to a woman who hosted a Good News class in her home. This encounter heightened my interest and belief in the importance of exploring further. However, it would be many decades before I actively resumed my search once again.
As a young adult, I observed prayer being practiced at weddings, funerals, and in the homes of friends during mealtimes. This reignited my interest, prompting me to resume my search. However, what I discovered was that many communities seemed to overlook or not recognize the struggles of those who were lost and seeking guidance. Entering churches as a young adult, I found a lack of biblical teaching and a reluctance from others to offer assistance. Feeling isolated within those walls once again, I halted my search.
From Kindergarten through 7th grade, each day commenced with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and a practice called "prayer." This term was unfamiliar to me, never having been heard in my household, let alone practiced.
Discovering the notion of "prayer" ignited my childhood curiosity. Around 4th grade I set out on a solitary journey for comprehension, wandering into nearby churches within walking distance without any direction. However, I found myself unnoticed and devoid of the nurturing guidance in God's teachings. Realizing the futility of my search within the confines of church walls, I ceased my exploration.
God was watching over me, guiding me to a woman who hosted a Good News class in her home. This encounter heightened my interest and belief in the importance of exploring further. However, it would be many decades before I actively resumed my search once again.
As a young adult, I observed prayer being practiced at weddings, funerals, and in the homes of friends during mealtimes. This reignited my interest, prompting me to resume my search. However, what I discovered was that many communities seemed to overlook or not recognize the struggles of those who were lost and seeking guidance. Entering churches as a young adult, I found a lack of biblical teaching and a reluctance from others to offer assistance. Feeling isolated within those walls once again, I halted my search.
Time passed, and I experienced the highs and lows of life. I married, welcomed a son into the world, and then went through a divorce. Eight years later, I remarried, had a daughter, and once again faced the pain of divorce. Feeling like I was failing miserably and utterly alone, I found myself in a dark, lonely, and frightening place. Without anyone to turn to and lacking a belief system to provide solace, I grappled with overwhelming despair.
I made yet another attempt, bringing my daughter along as we explored different churches and enrolled her in Bible study once more. However, the emptiness within the church walls persisted, leaving us both feeling overlooked and unfulfilled. Instead of spiritual guidance, the Bible study sessions focused on practical skills, such as starting a fire, exacerbating my sense of disillusionment. Despite my earnest efforts to raise her alone, the pervasive feeling of emptiness continued to shadow our journey.
During one particularly disheartening children's study session at a church, the teacher resorted to using magician's paper to demonstrate a prayer ritual for the church's protection. They lit the paper on fire and reassured the children that the church remained unharmed thanks to the prayers for protection. Regrettably, my daughter misconstrued this experience, believing that prayer somehow granted permission to play with fire. This misunderstanding deeply troubled me, prompting me to search for a different church that would offer genuine teachings rooted in the word of God.
Decades have passed once again. My children have grown and started their own lives, while I remain single and feeling adrift. However, I can't shake the memories of those prayers being said in school. Though the seed of faith was planted long ago, I have yet to see it sprout into something tangible in my life. Despite this, the thought of those prayers continues to linger, perhaps hinting at a deeper longing within me.
Now in my middle age, I found myself in the midst of a life-altering accident that left me bedridden, broken, and confined to a nursing rehabilitation facility for four long months. It was during this challenging time that I experienced the workings of God firsthand. L.E. Henderson and his wife Brenda Henderson faithfully visited me, offering words of encouragement and speaking the word of God in a language that I could understand and truly hear. As I lay in that bed, day and night, their words resonated deeply within me, and I could feel the stirring of the spirit inside me.
Upon returning home, they continued their weekly visits, gently sharing the teachings of God. Eventually, I made the decision to be baptized, and from that point forward, God began to move within my family. My daughter and her husband, who had previously struggled with his religious upbringing, embarked on their own journey for spiritual healing.
The presence of God has firmly established itself in our lives. My daughter and her husband have begun taking their children to church, they gather around the dinner table, holding hands in prayer with their children, friends, and even with me. In the twilight of my years, this newfound connection fills me with a profound sense of completeness.
Reflecting on this journey, I realize that none of it would have been possible without the seed of faith planted by the prayers in school. It's a testament to the power of those early influences, which ultimately led to profound transformations in our lives.
Shout loud AMEN!