I don’t know what made me think about it, but images from my senior class trip to New York City recently filled my mind. There were the normal tourist sites like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Radio Music City Hall and the Rockettes, a seven course dinner at Mama Leones, a Broadway show, and lots of tall buildings overlooking lots of people. But my strongest memory is our last night there.

After a show we boarded the bus and began our trip home. It was late at night and I had a window seat. Leaving the city this country boy was fascinated by all the lights illuminating more windows than I could count. Then it hit me…on the other side of those windows were rooms filled with more people than I could count. Though I didn’t know a single person living there, I did know that most of them were lost.

The thought of so many people living and dying without Jesus moved me and I began to pray. I prayed for the people living on the other side of those windows. Then I prayed for myself, asking God to help me never forget what I was feeling in that moment.

I wish I could say that I’ve always remembered that feeling, but I would be lying. There have been times I’ve forgotten. Why does it matter? The answer is simple. It means my passion for witnessing and my burden for lost people has lessened, and that is never a good thing.

I thank God I prayed that prayer on that bus leaving New York nearly 36 years ago because God has answered it time and time again. How? Every time I forget that feeling, God does something to remind me. He renews me…renews my passion and my burden. So I’m glad those images came to my mind the other day…and I do know what made me think about it. My Lord did!

What kind of prayer are you praying these days? What images are filling your mind?

Pastor Steve Hogg