Living Out Loud (Mt 5:14-16) by Karen Patnaude

29 Jul Living Out Loud (Mt 5:14-16) by Karen Patnaude

“You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” ~ Mt 5:14-16 (full readings)
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Karen’s Reflections:  One Saturday when we finished our chapter prayer walk/run in Fiji, we all gathered together and prayed.  We each prayed over the things that God laid on our hearts.  As we were praying I noticed that a woman had drawn near to us and was listening to us as we prayed.  I began to silently pray over her, that she would have the truth revealed and any bondage be broken.  Towards the end of our time in prayer she wandered off but did not leave.  When my family returned to our car she approached us and wanted to sell us peanuts.  Normally I don’t buy them, but I rolled down my window and made the purchase.  She then asked me if we had been praying and what church we attended, so I told her that we were Christians and the name of our church.  In Fiji, most people are either Christian, Hindu, or Muslim and I had no idea what her religious beliefs were.  Before we parted ways she simply said “my back hurts.”  God pressed into me and I asked if I could pray for her and she said yes.  I laid my hand on her and I prayed over her.  The Holy Spirit guided me through the prayer and I was able to speak of salvation, healing, breaking of bondage, and truth to come into her life.  After the prayer, she smiled and thanked us and we parted ways.  As LIFE Runners we live our lives out in the open when we are willing to step out of the door in our gear and pray in public.  This woman may not have needed to hear the message about abortion that day, but she did need something from God and He was able to shine everywhere we go so that those who need the light can be drawn to us.  God wants to use each and every one of us to reach the lost, if only we have the courage to answer the call.
* Karen Patnaude serves on the LIFE Runners Board as the International Coordinator.  Karen loves being a stay at home wife and mother as it affords her to be able to spend time caring for their miracle daughter, Ella Mae.  Her husband Ryan, gave his career as a pilot to God many years ago and they have since been blessed with the opportunity to travel the world.  Full bio..

Faith Challenge:   Pray that God will give you the opportunity to pray with a stranger who may be in need; trust in Him for the boldness.  The Holy Spirit will provide you with every tool that you need.

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel..
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Our Prayers: Pray LIFE Runners Creed to End Abortion.  Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, unceasingly. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day:  St. Martha
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Faith Quote:  “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” ~ John 1:5

Through Christ our Lord,
Karen Patnaude