For many of us, the images of the 1992 LA Riots is something we will never forget. Its aftermath left our city wounded, scarred and divided, often on racial grounds. But 20 years later, God is reconciling what was broken.
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the LA Riots, a multi-ethnic coalition of faith leaders is joining forces to bring long-needed healing and forgiveness to our communities.
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For many, Christmas is a joyful time with family. For others, Christmas can be a struggle, the loneliest time of year, or a reminder of what they’ve lost.
Christmas is a story of hope, healing and reconciliation, from God to the world, and now we can do our part.
This Christmas we want our readers to give each other the gift of prayer. Here’s how. Pray for the commenter above you and post your prayer request below. The next commenter will then pray for you. Let’s start a viral prayer chain!
Our Editors will also be praying for each of the prayer requests personally, with expectancy for reconciliation, healing, breakthrough or blessing for each of you in this season. God knows your needs and He will provide, just believe! No request is too big for Him and no request is too small.
God bless you readers and Merry Christmas!
- The Editors of WitnessLA.org
“We should appreciate our earthly fathers (if we have one) for all he’s done on Father’s Day, but have you thought about what to give God, our Ultimate Father?”
As a child and having grown up in a broken home, I never really cared about the absence of a father. A few years ago, I found out that my father passed away from being a long-time diabetic. I suppose I just adjusted to living without the influence of a male figure, not even thinking about how it would affect my life as an adult. His death, overall, had little effect on me emotionally since I learned to distance myself from him at an early age. But psychologically, I realized that his absence highly influenced my self-image and how I related with others.
Last month I saw my parents kiss (for the first time in my life). It’s funny I’ve always prayed for reconciliation in their relationship, but when it happened I honestly felt kinda weird. I rationalized that people who are married are supposed to be that way and I left it at that. Anyhow, God had just radically changed what was “normal” in life. But, before talking about my family let me introduce myself.
My name is Ed. I just moved back from Taiwan last year. I spent the last couple years of my life doing ministry in Taiwan. While out there I’d pray, “God give me Taiwan or I’m gonna die!” There was about a three month season where everyday I did treasure hunts and prophetic evangelism. I’d go out on the street and pray for the sick and do all kinds of crazy things. I was so zealous for God, all I thought about was revival.
Coming from the entertainment industry, I had a heart for the entertainment mountain. My heart’s cry was for people in entertainment and to see those of “influence” come to know Jesus Christ. One of the desires of my heart was to see a church planted in the largest clubs in Taipei. To my surprise, God answered my prayer a year later. We started a GBS in Taiwan and saw many people inside entertainment come to know the Lord. In that season I saw club owners, celebrities, and just random people off the street get radically saved by Jesus. God was moving so powerfully.
Life became even more amazing when I started traveling with a group called Asia for Jesus. We toured all around Asia and saw tens of thousands of people come to know the Lord. It was such an awesome move of God. One of the main pastors, Philip Mantofa, moved with such authority (and love) you couldn’t help but feel God’s presence wherever he went. If you’ve seen 1040 or Furious Love you’ll know who I’m talking about. Being around him I saw people healed, delivered, and radically saved by the thousands. At that time, I couldn’t possibly think of anything more important than this. But God had something else in mind…[click “Read More” below to continue]
I wrote this poem to tell my testimony as a PK (Preacher’s Kid). This poem shows a lot of what my college life was B.C. (before Christ). This is how some Preacher’s Kids live! Written by Mistye (@SheLuvsGod)
Back in her college days when she was not yet redeemed
And she lived to please herself so that God was not pleased
Was fine at the church, but got bored, wanted to leave
Let’s blow the lid off what she did. Prodigal Preacher’s kid.
Walk up to the bank just to cash her check
Got to get the clothes. Got to hit the set.
House party over here. And “party over there!”
Can’t dare take the chance of being a square
All to get attention. All to get chased.
Feel guilt? Just repent. Past erased.
Malibu, Platinum, and Fairbanks
“Can I buy you a drink, ma’am? Yes, sir, thanks.”
$15 a night wasted at the club,
But she says it’s not waste on her quest for love
Validation, verification of her beauty and worth
Does it really matter if they say it’s up her skirt?
Incredible Hulk, Kahlua, Jack Daniels and gin
Introducing, ladies, these are my best friends!
They keep my mind happy and the thoughts at bay
Never thinking about that soon coming Judgment Day
Smoke a blunt, get high, get high grades
Go to church hung over. Give God praise.
Pass on the communion juice, cuz she not worthy
She had her gin and juice last night so please don’t worry
Cuz God knows her heart. Lord know she try.
She got baptized when she was 12, so why should she cry?
Why even try to live right and walk in the light?
“I’m not saved by works, so I ain’t gotta live right.”
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Our story this week comes from our friend, Sherea. She grew up without a father because she was told he died before she was born, however, through a divine meeting she came to understand that God is a father for the fatherless (Psalm 68:5).
Excerpted from the book “Realistically Speaking” by Sherea Ve Juan: http://www.scribd.com/The-Return-of-My-Father-Who-Never-Left/d/33245207
Years ago, I was told my father was killed in a car accident one month after I was born. Well I found out recently that he was very much alive. I always wanted to know how it felt to have a father, a Dad, a pal, a counselor to walk me through the rules of life, you know the birds and the bees.
One day to my surprise, I was on my way to a retreat at church. All of a sudden, I became so angry inside. I wanted to know why he had to die before I had a chance to know him? Why did he leave his only child? Why couldn’t he drive more carefully? Did he love me when he was here? If he were alive today, would he have left me anyway?
I approached my destination with tears in my eyes, my shirt soaked with tears of pain. A big man with a still voice called my name so clear I knew it was Him. I did not have to ask, I didn’t need identification, a physical description, I could hear in His voice. I knew by the way He called my name that He was my Father. “But how could this be, they told me you were dead, but yet, you are very much alive.” I began crying and weeping. I was so confused I didn’t know if I should be crying or if I should be angry with Him for not finding me sooner. I had so many more questions. “Why did you leave me? Why didn’t you search for me? You never provided for me? You missed my wedding and my graduation. But at the same time I wanted to hug him, I wanted him to just wrap his arms around me and tell me all about his life. I wanted to learn everything about him that I missed out for years. So I asked “Where do we start?” [Click “Read More” below to continue]
He said, “First let me tell you my side of the story. From the very first day you were born your family separated us. They wanted you to believe I was dead; they wanted to hide what we shared together. They wanted to hide the talents that were passed to you. They didn’t want you to know how much you resembled me or how we walked the same and talked the same. I was there when you were separated from your family. Somehow I managed to sneak gifts to you…I would leave them in your Sunday school class. I used to come to your church when you were little, singing in the choir. Your spirit was so beautiful and inviting, but the deacons would not let me in the door. I have always loved you; I was there at your graduation and your wedding. But it was not the right time; I wasn’t sure if you were ready. But when I heard you crying, I could not wait any longer. Now you are old enough to make up your own, whether you want a relationship with me. Your family may not approve, your friends may talk about me, but you have to be ready. I have never, and will never leave you.”
I am your Everlasting Father,
A Father of Mercies
And a God of Comfort,
I am Love,
A Wonderful Counselor,
Your Prince of Peace
I am the Author and Finisher of your faith,
I will never leave you nor forsake you,
I am that bridge that carries you over troubled water
I am the Father to the fatherless,
I am the Lawyer when you need a defense,
I am Peace when you can’t be still
I am that raise in your job,
I am that promotion at your workplace,
For if you humble yourself unto Me, I will lift you up,
I am your Light in darkness,
I am your Refuge in the time of trouble;
If you delight yourself in Me
I will give you the desires of your heart,
I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold I am alive forevermore.
Hallelujah!
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (John 1:12-13)
We ask you to come together again in prayer for another friend in our community. Yesterday he was told that his mother was hospitalized because she tried to end her life. She is suffering from depression. We’re told she will be released from the hospital today. He’s very distraught. He’s had a difficult upbringing all his life. His parents were divorced when he was young, and given their personal problems with addictions, he was forced to grow up fast and take care of himself and his younger brother. He has worked really hard to breakaway from the generational sins of his family and has done well for himself both personally and professionally. He is not a believer however he is not closed to the notion of God. Will you come together with us to lift this family in prayer? Will you pray for redemption, reconciliation, healing, protection, and comfort? Will you pray that they come to experience and know in their hearts the love of Jesus Christ? Thank you.
“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.” psalm 40: 1-3
