The seventh World Christian Gathering of Indigenous People held many "holy moments" for us as delegates. One such moment was when we traveled across the Sea of Galilee in a wooden boat to the village of Capernaum. In this village was an ancient synagogue that remains standing.

As we entered the synagogue in Capernaum, a sense of reverence fell upon us. Standing in a place where Jesus had taught so many years ago was an experience that goes beyond words. The sense of his presence with us was astonishing. Gathering together, a young woman from Hawaii began to sing a beautiful prayer. As spontaneous songs and prayers came from all over this small synagogue, a lady from the Hopi nation caught my attention. Her sung prayer was filled with tearful intensity as her passionate heart cry was voiced in her language. As I listened, tears flowed down my face as my heart related to the prayer of her heart. After she finished singing, she choked out the words, “This is my prayer for my people.” Very quietly and quickly, this woman was surrounded by a host of women to support and encourage her. As they wept together in community, I echoed the prayer that I had prayed years earlier: a prayer for my people.

This was a prayer of salvation, healing and restoration. A prayer very appropriately prayed in this synagogue in Capernaum (Mark 1:21). It was here that Jesus freed a man from the bondage of demons. As soon as Jesus left the synagogue in Capernaum he went to the home of Simon and Andrew where he healed Simon’s mother in law. This little village of Capernaum was where Jesus freed captives from bondage and healed and restored the broken hearted; it was now the place where we stood and prayed for the very same things.

What will it take for people to experience this healing? This question often comes to mind as we see the cycle of dysfunction destroying people’s lives. As I looked around the room and saw the living illustration of answered prayer, I saw a glimpse of Hope coming. Here stood people that experienced the transformational power of Jesus in their lives. Here stood people that were healed from addictions, physical illness, broken lives, sin and destruction. Here stood a community of faith as a living testament to the miraculous work of Christ. Here stood a community of faith that Christ brought together to inspire, support, and encourage. Here stood my brother and sisters, united in prayer for our people to bring salvation, healing and restoration. I believe Christ answers prayer!