One blue bracelet.
It’s just a few pieces of blue thread, braided together, and tied tightly around my wrist. Nothing much to look at, but to me, it’s pretty important. And it will be around my wrist for 39 more days.
See, I’ve been reading some things about the significance of “40 days” here lately, and a couple of nights ago Rusty and I were talking about how it might be a good idea to pray specifically for something for the next 40 days – since that was how much longer he and the rest of his squad had out on the World Race before they come home.
I’ll admit, I’m a little attached to this squad. Yes, it may be because the man I love is on it, and it’s been over 3 months since I’ve seen him (and over 10 months since I’ve seen him in America). By the time he gets home, I will have only seen him 8 days out of the last 345! But it’s more than that. Honestly, this whole squad of racers is extra special to me. I connected with them way back in September of ’07. They’re the first group I got to follow alllll the way through – from Training Camp, to all around the world – and now as they’re coming home! These are my brothers and sisters. I’ve laughed and cried and been challenged by their blogs. I’ve had skype conversations and video chats, and even had an African or Indian cell phone passed around to say hello a few times (or to play tricks on me- crazy boys!) I learned to 
camp with them in Nsoko, Swaziland (I miss you TEAM ISAAC!) I’ve been woken up at 3am to help them with logistics in one country or another (oh the excitement- ha- love you guys anyway!) And of course there were many prayers – for health, safety, and protection (especially after their crazy adventures, like being held at gunpoint in Africa, and narrowly missing Thai rioting– TWICE)! They have certainly kept my prayer life active!
camp with them in Nsoko, Swaziland (I miss you TEAM ISAAC!) I’ve been woken up at 3am to help them with logistics in one country or another (oh the excitement- ha- love you guys anyway!) And of course there were many prayers – for health, safety, and protection (especially after their crazy adventures, like being held at gunpoint in Africa, and narrowly missing Thai rioting– TWICE)! They have certainly kept my prayer life active!
And now they’re coming home!
For most of you reading, you’ll think it’s THE END. The end of the race. The end of a year around the world being challenged and stretched. The end of being the hands and feet of Jesus to the hungry, the broken, the dying. But that’s not true. You see, it’s just THE BEGINNING!
These are PASSIONATE, ON FIRE souls who have been AWAKENED over the past year! They are FILLED with the HOLY SPIRIT, and WALKING CONFIDENTLY with the AUTHORITY and the POWER OF GOD! And in less than 39 days, they’ll be back on American soil, ready to tell of the miracles and wonders they saw, to teach all they learned, and to WAKE UP AMERICA! It’s time for these Racers to show our country what it means to be filled with the HOLY SPIRIT, to live an ABUNDANT life WITH GOD, and to LIVE OUT the WORD of GOD!
What does that mean? It means the enemy is TERRIFIED. He knows the power this group has, and he is going to throw EVERYTHING he has at them to try to stop them, discourage them, or break them down.
So what can we do? We can PRAY! As I’ve prayed for them on the journey all around the world, I will pray for them again. I want to cover them in prayer as they prepare to come home!
A few things I’m praying…
- For protection – physically – a hedge of protection around them to keep them safe and healthy – especially as they travel. Also, protection for them mentally, spiritually, and emotionally (the enemy is pretty crafty and WILL attack there too!)
- For unity – as a squad and as teams as they finish their time ministering together.
- For God to establish the work of their hands – that the enemy would not be able to take away anything they’ve done in God’s name this year.
- For God to seal all He’s done in them – the growth, the healing, the communion with Him, the way they have been changed – that the enemy could not make them doubt it or steal ANY of it away!
- For them to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
- For signs and wonders to accompany them home.
- For God to prepare the way for them at home – with friends, family, and divine appointments with strangers 🙂
I’m praying those prayers for all the Racers, and especially for Rusty.
I’m also praying a lot for our relationship as I anxiously await his
return, because we’ve already seen how much the enemy tries to attack
Godly relationships (especially those united to work together in
ministry!)
I’m also praying a lot for our relationship as I anxiously await his
return, because we’ve already seen how much the enemy tries to attack
Godly relationships (especially those united to work together in
ministry!)
Maybe you don’t want to tie on a blue bracelet. That’s totally ok! But I would love to have you join me in prayer for the racers, for Rusty, and for our relationship as their return date (November 21) approaches!
I know it’s just one blue bracelet, but to me, it’s a lot more than that. This little blue bracelet is my reminder to cover the people I love in prayer until they come home. And Rusty – I’m looking forward to the day when MY racer comes home to cut it off! 😉
signs and wonders baby!!!!!!!
i don’t have a blue one… but i have a really faded green one… that’ll do, eh?
thanks for loving us like you do, sister. man, God has BLESSED this squad through you!!!
JAN 08 LOVES YOU.
Kim stole what I was going to say. Only…
1.) I just flat don’t have one.
2.) I’m excited to spend time in Michigan with you! Kim’s not.
3.) I might have lied about Kim not being excited.
Oh Ericka:)
You are so sweet and good to all of us here on the JAN08 team. We love you! I love you and can’t wait to be home with you. Get ready – it’s going to be a fun ride:)!
I am going to look for a bracelet right now!
Can’t wait to meet YOUR racer…my bracelet will probably be yellow…and remind me to also pray for my own world(warrior)racer.
Love you!
I LOVE ERICKA BENNETT!!!!!!!