My dear sweet friends,

Thank you so much for your comments and e-mails and prayers. You have been such an encouragement to me over the past couple of days.

One of the things that I grieved the most over leaving India was how strongly I could feel the prayers of our intercessors. I can't even explain it accurately, but I just knew that we were being covered by people all over the world. Partly because you told us you were doing so, but it was this overwhelming sense of peace. I never felt like we were truly in danger, even when I was cringing and clutching the arms of whichever unlucky soul happened to be sitting next to me on our van rides of terror. I believed whole-heartedly that God had us under His wings and was keeping us safe.

You've made me feel like I am being prayed for again, and I can't tell you what a welcome comfort that has been, like a favorite old sweatshirt. I truly feel so blessed that I don't even know how to respond.

God is teaching me how important it is to pray continually. He really means it when He tells us to pray without ceasing. I think we go through periods of crisis where we do this out of desperation. But when things are good for the most part, we forget how important it is to constantly keep that line open. I sincerely hope that when this season of my life is over, I will not go back to taking that access to the Father for granted.

One of the things that I'm trying to implement is praying immediately for someone when they ask me to. Not just saying, "I'll be praying for you," because quite honestly how often have I said that and not really given the matter another thought. Not because I mean to, but just because of the busyness of life. I'm so tired of being so self-absorbed that I'm of no real use to anyone else. I never want to be that person again. With God's help, I won't be.

I've just completed my ten-week study on the tabernacle by Beth Moore. On the last day of that study she discusses the difference between casually following Christ and pursuing a daily fellowship with Him. She asks, "Can you live with the mediocrity of life in the outer court when you have been invited to dwell in the excellence of the innermost place? If you dare enter, you will never be the same."

My most sincere prayer is that I will never again find myself stuck in the outer court. I'm learning that to be with Christ in the Holy of Holies is not an easy thing, however. There are things that He requires, among them the pursuit of holiness. It's a daunting task, but He also promises to give us what we need to make it happen. All you have to do is ask.

Are you willing?