My brother, Mola, excitedly invited me to witness his baptism at Sycamore Church. The baptism service resonated deeply with me, and when the call to say Yes to Jesus came, I made a decision, for Jesus, on the 27th of August, 2023. As I registered my decision, it felt like the biggest turning point in my life.
Giving Jesus my yes felt like a chance to finally step out of the shadows of uncertainty and depression that had shadowed me for almost my entire life. And I sincerely thought it would be an instant process because before making my decision for Jesus that day, people often promised me that conversion would be an instant solution to all my life’s challenges.
They said giving my life to Christ would instantly erase all my struggles and doubts, like flipping a switch. I believed that meant no effort on my part – not even prayer, which I didn’t know how to do at the time.
But the Faith Support Team at Sycamore helped me take baby steps towards growth as a new believer. I remember receiving the first call from the team after my decision for Jesus that Sunday. This call felt like a lifeline and I kept looking forward to receiving more of them.
Soon it became a routine to always run towards my phone when there was a next step to take. After every faith support call, there was an act that stood out for me. It was the refreshing closing prayer.
It stood out for me because I was truly lost in a sea of rejection and depression. So these prayers offered me peace. But the feelings of depression and rejection kept returning because everything happening in my life back then was a trigger.
Growing up, I believed myself to be a storm tamer. I’d tackle every crisis head-on, convinced that I could control the outcome. But control was distant from me.
The harder I fought, the rougher the seas became. So the faith support calls introduced the concept of prayer as a calming force. It was a different kind of anchor.
Eventually, I began praying to God myself. I started by saying one to three words of prayer. I would pray for three to five minutes and then stop. There was no structure to my prayers. I was just saying words that came to my head.
This continued until Mola, my brother, invited me for Super Saturday, a prayer gathering at Sycamore Church. I was curious to know what being in that kind of gathering felt like. So I went along with him.
As I walked into the church building, I was confused by the casual and comfortable dress code of the congregation. My brother tried to explain why they were dressed that way. But I still didn’t get it until the room pulsed with fervent prayers. That was when the relaxed dress code made perfect sense to me.
I found myself drawing from the strength of the people around me. There was a structure to the prayers. There was a guide too.
For the first time, I found myself praying for longer minutes at a stretch. I found myself taking off my shoes and finding a comfortable sitting posture on the floor.
My first Super Saturday experience was wholesome. It shaped and defined my faith journey. The prompts and guides for prayer were helpful. For my next personal prayer session, I incorporated the art of having a prayer guide. I would write in my journal a list of the areas that I wanted to speak to God about.
Also read combating overthinking in prayer
I would then pick the points that I had written out and pray over them one after the other. This helped me stay on track as I prayed for over an hour. Through Super Saturday, I also learnt that God understands every language that I pray in.
So, I am inviting you this Saturday to join us online or onsite, behind Mobil Filling Station, Samonda Ibadan for a brand new Super Saturday experience at Sycamore Church from 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM. You will not regret the experience! I promise.
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Written by Doyin Ajala
Doyin volunteers with the Content Team at Sycamore Church.
(Blogposts are creative expressions generously provided for Sycamore Church. The ideas and thoughts do not necessarily represent the position of Sycamore Church)
