As I prepare to go to Rwanda in June to speak on prayer at a prayer, healing, and worship conference, I have sensed a deep intertwine between prayer and forgiveness. Rwanda is a war torn nation following the genocide of 1994. For many, after 15 years, the wounds are still fresh and the memories of horrific acts of terror (often by people they knew) are replayed in 3-D in their minds. For some, the depth of bitterness still clings like the toughest velcro. Deep emotional pain eats at the mind and heart.
How is healing to occur? Only in the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, do we find the answer. Only through prayer do we find the vessel to approach the throne of God on behalf of others. The Holy Sprit can open the hardest of hearts.
Forgiveness is catching. For a country that needs reconciling, the healing of one life can touch another. As Christians, we need to pray for those in nations such as Rwanda. Despite the horrific tragedy, healing must take place. It can only take place through the movement of God’s Holy Spirit. The burden of prayer for our neighbor whom we don’t know, must precede any claim to the second part of the Great Command, to love our neighbor as ourselves. If we truly love our neighbor, we will pray for God’s intervention and healing in their lives. Only then will true evangelisim take root in places like Rwanda.
The Prayer Factor 
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