One: Praying With Jesus That the World May BelieveSample

One morning, headed into a meeting at the YMCA, I glanced over at the prayer table and noticed a woman standing near it, looking like she was hoping to talk to someone.

I changed my plans, headed over, and introduced myself as a pastor at the Y; she had been crying.

Once we were in the chapel, she kept saying to me, "Jesus must be so disappointed in me."

Gently and confidently, I reminded her that Jesus wasn't disappointed in her, that he loves her, that she is a child of the king, and he wants a full life for her.

Her response: no one had ever told her any of this even though she was a church attendee and a Christian.

It's what I love about the Y - a place for all and a place for all to experience a new unity with Jesus and with other believers.

We could easily find places we are different - race, faith, personality, lifestyle, etc. We could argue who is 'right' and who is 'wrong.' If we tried, we could find more things that draw us apart than draw us together.

It's worth noting that Jesus himself prays that those who will believe in him may experience perfect unity and will know that they are loved by the Father as much as He loves His Son.

The "they" he prayed for two thousand years ago includes us!

He wants everyone to live in unity and know they are loved perfectly by the Father; this is on my heart when I walk into the YMCA and stand at our prayer table, a place where members are invited into a conversation about life.

People share important parts of their lives at the YMCA prayer table with me - someone who is essentially a stranger.

I'm no longer surprised, yet always amazed, at a depth of vulnerability; people share everything from personal struggles, illness, relationship challenges, hopes, grief, pain, celebrations, and more.

Sometimes we laugh or cry. Sometimes we talk. And sometimes, we pray.

Whatever happens, I hope they catch a glimpse of Jesus and experience his love for them.

Pray with me:

"Jesus, send me like you were sent, to share God's love with the world, that we all may experience your peace and unity. Amen."

[by Pastor Gabrielle Ginder at Jackson R. Lehman Family YMCA]