Life is "Wow" and "Ouch"

Despite being a staunch Catholic, my spiritual life has never exceed the D grade. Long and charismatic prayers were never my cup of tea as I'm a person who prefers short prayer (that is 5-10 minutes). However God had a challenge for me and I had a choice, to accept or reject it. The verdict was to accept the challenge.

Awaken is a 4-day youth retreat held by the Amplify youth community and conducted by Archbishop William Goh in June and December every year. During this retreat, participants will experience the love and reality of God through music and life-giving talks. Having attended Awaken a year ago as a participant, I received the calling to be part of the service team once again for Awaken 7. This time a big surprise hit me, to serve in the intercessory team. Being poor in spontaneous prayer, I had doubts but eventually I chose to accept the calling and got all pumped up, ready to serve as an intercessor. My job was to intercede for miracles and conversion to shine upon the 132 participants who were awaiting their breakthrough, some came willingly and some didn't (eg. dragged by parents or friends). Among the participants in attendance was my girlfriend, Sandra. She was looking for a closer relationship with God which I, along with my fellow intercessors had to ensure it will happen not only for her but the other participants too.

I assumed taking up the role of an intercessor was just another walk in the park but I was given a slap on the wrist. In Awaken 6 which was held 6 months prior to Awaken 7, I served in the Environment team which primary role was to handle the logistics and was used to the long breaks I had and it wasn't that bad as I thought it will be. However, the intercessory team had only 10-15 minutes break in between sessions which was indeed a shocking factor for me. Each session lasted for an hour and a half with spontaneous prayers and as time passed, tiredness kicked in and I began having mood swings and felt antsy. I admitted to my peers that I wasn't happy and just couldn't wait for the retreat to end, the only thing that kept me alive and on-going was by playing the guitar (my hobby) for certain sessions. Somehow I felt a connection with God through that. Day 2 eventually improved for me, felt more energetic after a much needed rest and more willing to pray during sessions. The next 2 days was indeed my breakthrough, as much as not being able to put words into my prayers, spreading the words of giving praise and thanks to the Lord was adequate.

Being affirmed by my peers was indeed heart-warming, hearing words of encouragement from Ethelyn and Teresa (intercessory heads) to Amo (fellow intercessor) gave me the muscle to carry on. I had realised how my cockiness and self-centered attitude caused my defiance to God. I can be such a great servant of God, journeying with His people but I have to remember to be humble and surrender to Him whenever I feel the need to. It was also a privilege to recite the prayer for the faithful on the last day during mass, that was a much needed remainder for me that prayer wasn't for myself but for everyone. I am thankful for journeying with the other intercessors, they have been supportive throughout the retreat because without them I would have struggled more than I already had.

Awaken 7 intercessory team with His Grace, William Goh

Being in the Awaken service team was such a wonderful time to be used as God's instrument. Not only did the service team helped change participant lives but the time we went through together, from the times feeling electrified and to the times feeling zonked pulled us together for we are servants of God.

Really happy to see that your desire to know God better came through during the 4 days. Despite not seeing you often during the entire retreat due to my duties as an intercessor, I have always been there supporting and praying for you. Hope that you had a great experience, looking forward to serve alongside you in the future. God bless you my dear.

Credits to Dominic Lee for the picture