Monkey In The Middle

Monkey In The Middle; “MITM” (pronunciation mun-kee in tha middul), activity / verb:

MITM is something that we love at Cedar Creek Church.  Not the game of keepaway that kids play by throwing a ball to each other while one in the middle tries to catch the ball and cause the thrower to have to be the “monkey.”  No our MITM is, basically, when someone needs prayer and their HOME group or any group of folks (ex. fellow team members) put the person in a chair and circle up around the person for prayer.  While the concept is not unique or original to us, I’m not quite sure how the “MITM” name got attached to a “circle prayer.”  I credit Phillip & Terry Lee for coining the phrase since it was at their house that I first experienced it several years ago.

Sunday at church I ran into a friend, one of our media ninjas, who had recently been sick.  I asked him how he was and he said he was feeling better but having a problem with an abscess that required surgery this coming Thursday. 

Enter…Jared’s HOME group and a little “monkey in the middle.”

Sunday night two of our  HOME groups got together for a “reunion” of sorts, both having multiplied from one group a few months back, and celebrated all that God was doing in them and through them.  They were celebrating how God has grown their group from six people, less than two years ago, to over 30 people in two groups!  More folks being welcomed, cared for, loved, discipled, and more folks growing in their relationship with Jesus and each other.  Booyah!

During their prayer time Sunday night the group put Jared in the middle and laid hands on him, prayed for him and asked God to heal him.  Monday morning when Jared woke up the abscess was all but gone.  Prayer answered.  Surgery cancelled.  God is great!  Double Booyah!!

I must tell you that while my first reaction upon hearing this news was praise to our Lord and excitement, there was a part of me that was…surprised.  The thought shocked me and I asked myself, “why does this surprise you?  Isn’t this what God has always done?”

This morning while reading in Acts 3:1-16 I was reminded of when God, through the Apostle Peter, healed a lame beggar.  All those who saw the man were “filled with wonder and amazement” the Bible says.  Peter’s response encouraged me and challenged me.  Peter said to those onlookers, ““Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? (v. 12).  Then in verse 16 he explains, “By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.”

God is still in the healing business.  God still answers prayer even though sometimes it’s not HOW we would expect.  God tells us throughout the Bible to come before Him in prayer, to ask for the desires of our heart, to trust and believe that God will act, to pray for each other that we might be healed, to come BOLDLY before the throne.

Time and again, throughout my life, I’ve seen God show up and do what only He can do.  Too many times we are surprised and astonished when God does show up.

Who do you know that could use a little “Monkey In The Middle” this week?