Pubdate: Sat, 17 Sep 2005 Source: St. Albert Gazette (CN AB) Copyright: 2005 St. Albert Gazette Contact: http://www.stalbertgazette.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2919 Author: George Prins ONLY GOD HAS THE TIME TO HEAR ALL THE PRAYERS OF THOSE STRUGGLING AGAINST DRUG ADDICTION One Sunday morning in July, I had the opportunity to listen to the life story of a young man named Chris. By age 26, Chris had spent almost 10 years of his young life in our prison system for a host of crimes. He told our church congregation that when he was in junior high, he was the second fastest runner in all of Calgary and that football was his passion. The obvious question is, what happened? Chris said that he did not grow up with a father figure in his life and that to fill the void, he looked to people who were "cool." This need to belong is powerful and, like so many young men, Chris started dabbling in drugs and alcohol and it soon entirely controlled his life. Chris is in the process of receiving help through an organization called Teen Challenge. It's a 10-month total immersion program that is claimed to have a success rate of about 85 per cent, compared to many other programs that have a success rate of some eight to 10 per cent. That intrigued me and when I learned that the facility was located outside of Calgary, I wondered why we don't have such a facility in the Edmonton area. The director of the facility is a graduate of the course as well. He too for many years was caught in the grips of drug addiction and returned to the facility five times before he was totally liberated from his past. Just hearing that was encouraging for those struggling with addictions I spoke with after the presentation. Counselling is a 24-7 job. Who has that kind of time? Christians petition God or pray, precisely because He is able to provide the 24-7 attention that Chris needs. Petitioning God is asking him to intercede in a given situation. He usually responds by utilizing willing people (and sometimes unwilling people) to help out in the situation, but He is always the director. If you asked Chris what has and is delivering him, he will tell you straight out that it is Him who provides the 24-7 counselling. Illicit drugs, alcoholism and the culture associated with it is one of the most powerful forces in our Western world and more specifically St. Albert. This culture has proven to be the downfall of many a young athlete and many very promising people. The church advocates that no force is powerful enough to contend with the one who made us. It is the role of the church through the power that was given to it by Jesus Christ to be in and about the business of deliverance. Every Wednesday evening between 30 and 70 people meet at our church to petition God. We petition God for a variety of needs, but the one that seems to be dominant in the hearts and minds of our people is the need of deliverance for many people in the City of St. Albert. I have noticed that we are encountering more and more people who have drug addictions and that our prayers are not so generic in nature anymore, but they now have names of actual people. Many of you in St. Albert have a Chris in your life. You don't know what to do with him. You've tried everything possible and your angst has grown. Maybe it's time to give it over to Him that holds the keys of deliverance. It seems rather strange to be soliciting for work like this, but that is precisely what the leader of the church told us to do when he left this earth. Call us, tell us about your situation, come join us and above all, let us lift your specific needs before our leader Jesus Christ. He has many arms and legs throughout this world. Teen Challenge is one of those, but even within our church, you will find a number of ex-drug users, dealers and those in the process of deliverance. These are people who can help identify with your struggles and support you in your endeavour to be delivered. George Prins Cornerstone Pentecostal Church - --- MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman