we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world

The Savior, Redeemer

1 Who has believed what He has heard from us?     And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For He grew up before Him like a young plant,     and like a root out of dry ground; He had no form or majesty that we should look at Him,     and no beauty that we should desire Him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men;     a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces     He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.

4 Surely He has borne our griefs     and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken,     smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was pierced for our transgressions;     He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace,     and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray;     we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him     the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed, and He was afflicted,     yet He opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,     and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,     so He opened not his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment He was taken away;     and as for his generation, who considered that He was cut off out of the land of the living,     stricken for the transgression of my people? 9 And they made his grave with the wicked     and with a rich man in his death, although He had done no violence,     and there was no deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush Him;     He has put Him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt,     He shall see his offspring; He shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. 11 Out of the anguish of his soul He shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,     make many to be accounted righteous,     and He shall bear their iniquities.

12 therefore I will divide Him a portion with the many,
    and He shall divide the spoil with the strong,
because He poured out his soul to death
    and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet He bore the sin of many,
    and makes intercession for the transgressors.

(from: Isaiah 53 English Standard Version (ESV))

Isaiah 41:14 Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 44:24 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: “I am the Lord, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself,

Isaiah 45:15 Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior.
Isaiah 45:21 Declare and present your case; let them take counsel together! Who told this long ago? Who declared it of old? Was it not I, the Lord? And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me.
Isaiah 49:26 I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh, and they shall be drunk with their own blood as with wine. Then all flesh shall know that I am the Lord your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”
Isaiah 60:16 You shall suck the milk of nations; you shall nurse at the breast of kings; and you shall know that I, the Lord, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
Isaiah 48:17 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.
Isaiah 54:8 In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord, your Redeemer.         
Isaiah 59:20 “And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the Lord.

___________Who is This Savior, Redeemer?
Luke 2:11
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10-12 (in Context) Luke 2 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

John 4:42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”  

John 4:41-43 (in Context) John 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Acts 5:31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
Acts 5:30-32 (in Context) Acts 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Acts 13:23 Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.
Acts 13:22-24 (in Context) Acts 13 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Jesus Messiah, the Redeemer, Savior

The Poet's 24 reasons to cry "Joy" to the world!

1. Psalm 5:11
   
   But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.
   Psalm 5:10-12 (in Context) Psalm 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
2. Psalm 16:11
   You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
   Psalm 16:10-11 (in Context) Psalm 16 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
3. Psalm 21:1
   [ Joy in the Salvation of the Lord ] [ To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. ] The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord; And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
   Psalm 21:1-3 (in Context) Psalm 21 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
4. Psalm 27:6
   And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
   Psalm 27:5-7 (in Context) Psalm 27 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
5. Psalm 30:5
   For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
   Psalm 30:4-6 (in Context) Psalm 30 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
6. Psalm 32:1
   [ The Joy of Forgiveness ] [ A Psalm of David. A Contemplation. ] Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.
   Psalm 32:1-3 (in Context) Psalm 32 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
7. Psalm 32:11
   Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
   Psalm 32:10-11 (in Context) Psalm 32 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
8. Psalm 33:3
   Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
   Psalm 33:2-4 (in Context) Psalm 33 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
9. Psalm 35:27
   Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”
   Psalm 35:26-28 (in Context) Psalm 35 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
10. Psalm 42:4
    When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.
    Psalm 42:3-5 (in Context) Psalm 42 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
11. Psalm 43:4
    Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God.
    Psalm 43:3-5 (in Context) Psalm 43 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
12. Psalm 48:2
    Beautiful in elevation, The joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, The city of the great King.
    Psalm 48:1-3 (in Context) Psalm 48 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
13. Psalm 51:8
    Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
    Psalm 51:7-9 (in Context) Psalm 51 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
14. Psalm 51:12
    Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
    Psalm 51:11-13 (in Context) Psalm 51 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
15. Psalm 63:1
    [ Joy in the Fellowship of God ] [ A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah. ] O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.
    Psalm 63:1-3 (in Context) Psalm 63 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
16. Psalm 65:13
    The pastures are clothed with flocks; The valleys also are covered with grain; They shout for joy, they also sing.
    Psalm 65:12-13 (in Context) Psalm 65 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
17. Psalm 67:4
    Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You shall judge the people righteously, And govern the nations on earth. Selah
    Psalm 67:3-5 (in Context) Psalm 67 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
18. Psalm 105:43
    He brought out His people with joy, His chosen ones with gladness.
    Psalm 105:42-44 (in Context) Psalm 105 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
19. Psalm 106:1
    [ Joy in Forgiveness of Israel’s Sins ] Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
    Psalm 106:1-3 (in Context) Psalm 106 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
20. Psalm 122:1
    [ The Joy of Going to the House of the Lord ] [ A Song of Ascents. Of David. ] I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.”
    Psalm 122:1-3 (in Context) Psalm 122 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
21. Psalm 126:5
    Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy.
    Psalm 126:4-6 (in Context) Psalm 126 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
22. Psalm 132:9
    Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, And let Your saints shout for joy.
    Psalm 132:8-10 (in Context) Psalm 132 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
23. Psalm 132:16
    I will also clothe her priests with salvation, And her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
    Psalm 132:15-17 (in Context) Psalm 132 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
24. Psalm 137:6
    If I do not remember you, Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth— If I do not exalt Jerusalem Above my chief joy.
    Psalm 137:5-7 (in Context) Psalm 137 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

End days church countdown: how Jesus has defined love

Reading the book of John I found the love that God talks about. I always thought that the Bible does not talk about love. Not of the kind of love we know as humans. But Jesus talks about love a lot. This is the true love we need to know and practice.

______________As children of God, love of God is natural.
John 5:42 But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. John 8:42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.

______________Loving God and loving His words are synonymous: those who practice this truth abide in God's love 
John 14:15 [ Jesus Promises Another Helper ] “If you love Me, keep My commandments.
John 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
John 14:24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. John 15:9 [ Love and Joy Perfected ] “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. John 15:10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

________________Loving God results in loving His people naturally.
John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. John 13:35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 15:12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:17 These things I command you, that you love one another.

_______________Loving God means being separate from the world. God's love is costly. Jesus paid His life for it.
John 14:31 but that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
John 15:19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
John 17:26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

_______________Loving God means being demanded and prepared to pay a price too.
John 21:15[ Jesus Restores Peter ] So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” John 21:16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” John 21:17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

a hymn for today: for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded

2 Timothy 1:12 (NKJV)

¹² For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

a hymn for today____________I Know Whom I Have Believed
Text: Daniel W. Whittle
Music: James McGranahan
Tune: EL NATHAN, Meter: CM with Refrain

I know not why God’s wondrous grace
  To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
  Redeemed me for His own.

• But “I know Whom I have believed
  And am persuaded that He is able
  To keep that which I’ve committed
    Unto Him against that day.”

I know not how this saving faith
  To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His word
  Wrought peace within my heart.

I know not how the Spirit moves,
  Convincing men of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
  Creating faith in Him.

I know not what of good or ill
  May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
  Before His face I see.

I know not when my Lord may come,
  At night or noon-day fair,
Nor if I’ll walk the vale with Him,
  Or “meet Him in the air.”

grace and truth came through Jesus Christ

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/333#ixzz2o8Q0RZS8
http://www.hymnsite.com/midifiles/umh714.mid

A Christmas present: Life, Spirit, Glory, Peace, Joy, Healing, Freedom!

Many Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ around this time although they know that Jesus was not born on 25th December. Most churches too, do not want to be left out of this man-made tradition or culture. One Biblical way of celebrating this season is to read the whole Bible in one continuous sitting, from beginning to the end. Jesus said, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. Reading the whole Bible together as a church (a group of Christians taking turn) would take about 72 hours depending on the language proficiency of those who read. While waiting for their turns the participants can sit around or rest anywhere within hearing distance. Be awed by the presence of the spiritual God. The Word is God. The Word became man as Jesus. Be transformed while you abide in Him and His words abide in you during this season of waiting upon the Lord as the ultimate celebration of Jesus’ birth. Let the Holy Spirit breathe life on you.
 For those who gather together as one family or a few families (as in house church), you may choose to read the New testament only. It will take about 17-19 hours in one sitting. The result will be great for each participant. This is the best present you can receive from your heavenly Father! This blogger has done this on my own and it took me about a week, resting in between reading. Something broke through.

John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 
 John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
 Romans 16:20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
1 Peter 2:24  who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 
 John 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

First verse of the Bible: Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Last 2 verses of the Bible: Revelation 22:20-21 ²⁰ He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! ²¹ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

______________Luke 24:35-49 (highlight added by this watchman)

³⁵ Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. ³⁶ And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. ³⁷ But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!

³⁸ “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? ³⁹ Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” ⁴⁰ As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet.
⁴¹ Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” ⁴² They gave him a piece of broiled fish, ⁴³ and he ate it as they watched.
⁴⁴ Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” ⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶ And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. ⁴⁷ It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ ⁴⁸ You are witnesses of all these things.
⁴⁹ “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”

End Times Spirit-filled hymns: Healing in His cleansing blood!

The hymns came on as he worshiped. They brought out the same theme for these last days of spiritual crossing from 2013 to 2014. The worship started with the majestic music for the King of kings, Lord of Lord, “Majesty”. The trumpets were not of this earth. The second hymn was “Blessed Assurance” and third was “Tis sweet to trust in Jesus”. Very familiar hymns but on this particular morning they were messages from heaven. The watchman received two keys: “Find”, and “Healing”. These two are end days crossing keys.
Blessed Assurance
Text: Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915 Music: Phoebe P. Knapp, 1839-1908 Tune: ASSURANCE,  Meter: 9 10.9 9 with Refrain
1. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
 Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.
Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
2. Perfect submission, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
angels descending bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
(Refrain)
3. Perfect submission, all is at rest;
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with his goodness, lost in his love.
(Refrain)  Links for downloading: MIDI
background story: Fanny Crosby (1820-1915) is heralded as one of the world’s most prolific and talented hymn composers. Blind from shortly after birth, Fanny nonetheless wrote 8,000 hymns. One day Fanny overheard her friend and fellow musician Phoebe Knapp playing a new composition on the organ. Phoebe told Fanny the tune was called Assurance. Fanny replied: ‘Blessed Assurance! Jesus is mine!’ And so began the collaboration that was to become one of Christendom’s most beloved hymns. Blessed Assurance was published in 1873

‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus | Louisa M. R. Stead, 1882

Scripture:  Proverbs 30:5 Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁵ Every word of God is tried and purified; He is a shield to those who trust and take refuge in Him.
_________________Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus
http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Tis_So_Sweet_to_Trust_in_Jesus/midi/
’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His Word; Just to rest upon His promise, And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”

Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er; Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to trust His cleansing blood; And in simple faith to plunge me ’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus, Just from sin and self to cease; Just from Jesus simply taking Life and rest, and joy and peace.
I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend; And I know that Thou art with me, Wilt be with me to the end.
___________Background story
According to the story: It was a beautiful sunny day. Louisa M. Stead, her husband, and her daughter Lily, decided to go for a picnic. They went picnicking on Long Island Sound. While having their picnic, the Steads heard a scream. It was from a young boy. Mr. Stead ran to the rescue. Louisa Stead and young Lily watched helplessly as Mr. Stead and the boy drowned. Their troubles were not over yet, however, and without her husband, Mrs. Stead became very poor and destitute. Yet God never left her. He provided for her always and she and her daughter made it through. Louisa learned to trust God, and thus the words to the song ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.’ Shortly after this incident, Louisa and her daughter Lily moved to South Africa where they became missionaries.
__________________________
The words of Stead’s poem were put to music by famed musician William J. Kirkpatrick, and subsequently published in several hymnals. The tragedy that prompted the lyrics of Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus has resulted in bringing comfort to many souls, for close to 130 years.

Journey to see God: Be free

Matthew 25:36

I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you visited Me with help and ministering care, I was in prison and you came to see Me.

Matthew 25:35-37 (in Context) Matthew 25 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Hebrews 13:3

Remember those who are in prison as if you were their fellow prisoner, and those who are ill-treated, since you also are liable to bodily sufferings.

Hebrews 13:2-4 (in Context) Hebrews 13 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Hebrews 13:23

Notice that our brother Timothy has been released [from prison]. If he comes here soon, I will see you along with him.

Hebrews 13:22-24 (in Context) Hebrews 13 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations Ephesians 6:20
For which I am an ambassador in a coupling chain [in prison. Pray] that I may declare it boldly and courageously, as I ought to do.
Ephesians 6:19-21 (in Context) Ephesians 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Philippians 1:7
It is right and appropriate for me to have this confidence and feel this way about you all, because you have me in your heart and I hold you in my heart as partakers and sharers, one and all with me, of grace (God’s unmerited favor and spiritual blessing). [This is true] both when I am shut up in prison and when I am out in the defense and confirmation of the good news (the Gospel).
Philippians 1:6-8 (in Context) Philippians 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Colossians 4:3
And at the same time pray for us also, that God may open a door to us for the Word (the Gospel), to proclaim the mystery concerning Christ (the Messiah) on account of which I am in prison;
Colossians 4:2-4 (in Context) Colossians 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Colossians 4:18
I, Paul, [add this final] greeting, writing with my own hand. Remember I am still in prison and in chains. May grace (God’s unmerited favor and blessing) be with you! Amen (so be it).
Colossians 4:17-18 (in Context) Colossians 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Acts 12:4-12

Common English Bible (CEB)

⁴ He put Peter in prison, handing him over to four squads of soldiers, sixteen in all, who guarded him. He planned to charge him publicly after the Passover. ⁵ While Peter was held in prison, the church offered earnest prayer to God for him.
⁶ The night before Herod was going to bring Peter’s case forward, Peter was asleep between two soldiers and bound with two chains, with soldiers guarding the prison entrance. ⁷ Suddenly an angel from the Lord appeared and a light shone in the prison cell. After nudging Peter on his side to awaken him, the angel raised him up and said, “Quick! Get up!” The chains fell from his wrists. ⁸ The angel continued, “Get dressed. Put on your sandals.” Peter did as he was told. The angel said, “Put on your coat and follow me.” ⁹ Following the angel, Peter left the prison. However, he didn’t realize the angel had actually done all this. He thought he was seeing a vision. ¹⁰ They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself. After leaving the prison, they proceeded the length of one street, when abruptly the angel was gone.
¹¹ At that, Peter came to his senses and remarked, “Now I’m certain that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod and from everything the Jewish people expected.” ¹² Realizing this, he made his way to Mary’s house. (Mary was John’s mother; he was also known as Mark.) Many believers had gathered there and were praying.