Our time in Greece has come to an end. As I sit here on a bus on our way to debrief in Budapest, I have the opportunity to reflect on my time there. The power of prayer and work of the Holy Spirit, is how I would describe Greece. Not just in the work and ministry around me but also in my own personal life. I’ve seen growth and reliance through the power of prayer in my own personal life.

Let me take you back a little bit. During this time last year, on my original race, I remember sitting with my mentor asking God to teach me to pray. I was in my mind about a lot of things and had a wanting to give those things to the Lord but didn’t know how to. She sat with me, prayed with me, teaching me to ask God to receive a spiritual prayer language and for the Lord to help me in that area. I so deeply desired to have that. When I was in Greece, in January, this past year, God taught me what this prayer language looked like. Being back in Greece this time around, I’ve grown so much more. It’s so cool to see the different seasons God brings us to and through with certain things. As I look back at that moment a year ago I am thankful for how far God has brought me in my prayer life.

Many days here in Greece I have found myself in my bed crying and praying, or on my knees on the floor of the coffee chapel church during worship night. Praying prayers that are sometimes deep and sorrowful or a praying prayers that are joyous and so thankful! In Ephesians 6, Paul encourages the Ephesus church to pray on all occasions and God has brought me deeper into this. At the beginning of Greece God was teaching me what he looked like in his vastness. As I began to understand his vastness he has taught me what it looks like to pray in his presence. He is such a big God who has invited me into his presence to talk to him!! He invites you into that as well. We often forget how big he is but we have to understand that to then approach him with holy fear. I continually find myself praying through revelation 4/5 to understand more of his vastness. We need to meet with him, invite him in and look to the one who’s speaking. He’s speaking to us, HIS CHILDREN! He will answer and it may not be the way we expect but it’s the way that brings him all the Glory!

As our squad walked and talked to people in Thessaloniki, prayer became the greatest thing we could do. On days where it felt like we weren’t doing much, prayer built up the spirits within us. We quickly realized that conversations couldn’t happen without intercession. God worked and continues to work in the city of Thessaloniki. Through that same work he has worked in us, and in me this past season!

I want to share a sweet testimony about prayer and a friend, Marina!

Some of my girls met Marina on the street and I was able to go with them for a coffee meet up. What a joy that was!

The morning before I joined them I listened to a podcast on prayer, asking the Lord to show me the power of prayer. As I sat in this coffee shop listening to marinas story, I found myself interceding for the conversation. I began praying for certain things and as I prayed, those things came up in our conversation. Confirmation of God speaking was seen in the conversation, increasing my faith so much. But God took it a step deeper. As I prayed he gave me a deeper insight into his heart for marina. I was overwhelmed with his love for her and began to cry. With all these thoughts racing through my mind, she looks at me and says “I heard you praying”. My heart skips a beat as I look over to one of my girls who’s holding her mouth. She repeats herself “I heard you”, and proceeds with saying “thank you, that’s so sweet”. This whole time I had only shared a small testimony, but the spirit inside of me said more than I could’ve ever said. The Holy Spirit spoke to me, through me, and for me! Literally so crazy! I don’t know how to express the excitement through a blog but it was crazy!

God answered the prayer I had prayed that morning. He answered the prayer to see the power of prayer. He answered my request to deepen my prayer life and he answered in a way that was greater than I could’ve ever imagined! We left that conversation jumping down the road in amazement at what God did and continues to do. He invited me into that moment to see his power and be in his presence.

We met with marina a couple more times before leaving. She was able to come to her first worship night with us and encounter more of the Holy Spirit! After joining us for dinner at our little house one night, she messaged me saying how thankful she was to have us as a momentary community. She was sad to see us go. Be praying for marina to find community in Greece. God is so kind and he loves his children so much!!

God has answered so many prayers prayed by me and by my girls. From rainbows, to peanut butter, and deeper prayer life God answers us and hears us. Responding in thanksgiving is so sweet! I love my God that I serve!

I hope and pray that this uplifts you! That you are confident that God hears you and will answer. Be patient for his timing is perfect!

“In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. But I, by your great love, can come into your house; in reverence I bow down toward your holy temple.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬, ‭7‬ ‭

Please be praying for me and my team

• Pray for our week of debrief in Budapest. That we would all feel refreshed and ready to go to our next place, Czechia

• Pray that we would all grow deeper in hunger to know more of the Lord and knowledge of him

• Pray that we find some ministry to work alongside in Czechia. If you know anyone there let me know!

• Pray against sickness. We are all feeling good now thank you Jesus

• Give thanks for our time in Greece and the people we met and were able to pray over. Seeds have been planted!

Thank you guys for reading!

Blessing and with love!

Sydney <3