Mandisa - Out Of The Dark DevotionalSample

Good News

Devotional by Mandisa

I prayed for my brother John's salvation for decades. I even wrote a song about it on my ‘Overcomer’ album. The bridge of "Dear John" says,

"It's not a list of do's and don'ts
Not a record of your faults
He gave His life to pay it all
He loves you just the way you are
You are forgiven by His scars
Just open up your heart"

There were days when I would pray with boldness and authority concerning John. Then, there were days when I wondered if my prayers were falling on deaf ears. I knew that God desired for my brother to have hope for eternity even more than I longed for it. But at times, I wavered in unbelief. After my friend Lakisha died from cancer, I stopped praying for anything.

I figured that God had His own plans, so He could just leave me out of it. It was in that season of dark hopelessness that my brother called me up and essentially asked, "What must I do to be saved?" On July 13, 2016 I led my brother in the prayer of salvation, and in an instant, John became your brother too! I immediately recorded a video and posted it on all of my social media sites proclaiming the good news that he who was lost had been found!

That's the thing about good news—we can't wait to share it. And somehow, hearing it shouted from the rooftops encourages those of us walking a similar road. My prayer is that, by sharing John's story, it will build the hope of many of you who are standing in the gap for your loved one whose salvation you are interceding for.

As your sister in Christ, I want to assure you that your heavenly Father hears your prayers and is working beyond what your human eyes can see. Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking. Keep loving. Keep sharing. Keep believing. And when that day comes where your faith becomes sight, tell the world all about your "Good News"!