Hunger for God

by Helen M.

I grew up in a Christian home and was brought up in the Roman Catholic tradition. Mass and prayer were part of my life. My concept of God was of a God who provided everything I had, but was somewhat remote. He was a God whom I turned to in difficult times. For the most part, I didn’t give Him a great deal of thought.

Someone I could relate to

Six years ago I spotted a notice in a shop window about a “Life in the Spirit Seminar�?. One of the speakers’ names caught my eye – the Catholic Evangelist Joe Dalton. I invited six friends to come and we stayed on for the entire seminar. There was an announcement for an Alpha Course and three of us decided to stay for that course.

Alpha was very special for me. I liked the friendly atmosphere and I was really challenged by the talks. Toward the end of the Alpha we had an away-day. The whole concept of Alpha fell into place for me during that day. I came into a personal relationship with Jesus and I found a God who was so close, so real, and someone I could relate to. I left the venue filled with the power of His love, peace and joy. That day changed the course of my life.

A deep hunger for Scripture

St. Michael Prayer and Bible Group became my anchor. St Michael’s is an interdenominational group that meets every Wednesday night. With the help of this group, I have been growing spiritually in love, support and encouragement.
Now the Bible has a new meaning. I come away feeling refreshed. I have a deep hunger to know and understand Scripture.

I have helped run seminars and Alpha courses with St Michael’s Prayer Group. One Alpha course was attended by 150 people. It was lovely to see so may lives being touched by the Lord as he did mine six years ago.

A changed life

Over the past six years, my life has changed in many ways. My prayer life has changed. I have been healed from my smoking addiction. My interests and hobbies have changed. I am learning to rely on the Lord when I face challenges. I have a great sense of fulfillment. I have inner peace and joy, even in difficult situations.

A verse that has helped me in my life is Revelation 3:20: “Here I am. I stand at the door and knock. If any one hears my voice and opens the door I will come in and eat with him and he with Me.�? When I open up to God, I feel his love, peace, and strength. I know I am not alone.

I now work full time with Power to Change. As I travel around the country as part of the Power to Change Team, I help to equip individuals to share their faith. I have been blessed by the people I meet. Some are searching for meaning in life as I was a few years ago. I know they can find that meaning if they have a close and personal relationship with Jesus. The power of His love brings peace, healing, grace and new beginnings. Jesus gives power to change.

Take a look at your life. How would you describe it? Contented? Rushed? Exciting? Stressful? Moving forward? Holding back? For many of us it’s all of the above at times. There are things we dream of doing one day, there are things we wish we could forget. In the Bible, it says that Jesus came to make all things new. What would your life look like if you could start over with a clean slate?

Living with hope

If you are looking for peace, there is a way to balance your life. No one can be perfect, or have a perfect life. But every one of us has the opportunity to experience perfect grace through a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here’s a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.

Is this the life for you?

If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you’ll experience life to the fullest.

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Experience the Power to change for yourself!
Decide. Was Jesus a liar? A lunatic? God?
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Further Reading:
Excerpts from St. Patrick’s confession
Finding Peace with God
A Jew Finds Jesus