The Closet People

The little girl awoke while it was yet dark. She lay still, listening. Quiet weeping and intense murmuring came from her mother’s closet. “Lord, whoever my mother is praying for right now please hear her cry!”

I was a young mother kneeling at the church altar during a ladies’ prayer meeting when I heard a clear word from the Lord. He was directing me to be a woman of prayer. I was young in the Lord and didn’t know exactly what that meant but I said, “Yes!”.

Books by Rev. Verbal Bean, Missionary Nona Freeman, Rev. Andrew Urshan, and Intercessor Denzil Holman caused an unsatiable hunger for all things prayer.

It seemed that each one brought fresh insights, encouraged my path of all things prayer, and the practical applications. Missionary R. S. Willoughby taught me to believe in the impossible through prayer, praise, and worship. A life of faith without limits in the Almighty. Dear Sis. Vesta Mangun taught that prayer works if you and I will work it. Sis. Margaret Banks taught how to saturate prayer by boldly declaring affirmations using the Word of God. To this day I return to their books for encouragement and an aid to persevere when prayers seem delayed.

The Closet People may write a book, share a testimony, and even speak before a congregation. However, the foundational work of who they are and their contribution to the Kingdom is unseen. The dark of night, early morning hours, and alone moments that no one sees. If you are a minister that experiences mighty moves of the Holy Ghost, then there is no doubt that you have a “closet person” to thank!

Missionary Billy Cole knew without question that the wonderful results that he experienced in faraway lands was the results of Sis. Shirley Cole weeping for souls. In fact, most of us know she laid for hours to the point of great physical strain for the Kingdom. A “closet person” who took prayer to a whole different level as she allowed the Holy Spirit to use her in deep intercession for people she would not meet until eternity.

Let’s look at Evangelist Eli Hernandez whose ministry still stirs the heart of many current “closet people”. This humble man was greatly used in miracle, signs, and wonders both in the church building and out. He experienced “The World Beyond the Stars”, because he was willing to spend long hours shut in with God. Like Bro. Billy Cole, Bro. E. Hernandez was unselfishly willing to invest in the next generation so they could have even greater experiences.

The Closet People get lonely. While some are used in public, there is always a sense of being “on the mountain like Moses” or “hid in a cave like Elijah”.

Listening for the Call to Prayer. For many of them, intercession is a way of life.

WNOP individuals like Sis. Thetus Tenney and Sis. Flo Shaw are seen in the public eye as they have endeavored to encourage God’s people to be people of prayer. But again, they dig out the ministry in great agony of lonely prayer.

There came a point and time in my journey as a woman of prayer that the Lord called me into the ministry of intercession. It was not what I expected, and it took a little bit of time for me to understand even in a small way how to walk in that. I understood that I was going to need to up my game, so to speak. In Sis. Kim Johnson’s book “Teach Us to Fast and Pray” I learned the ebbs and flows of the River of Prayer. Her detail description on fasting not only whet my appetite for more fasting, but she also explained the types, how-tos, why, and gave me a “you can do this” boost.

That reminds me of Sis. Joy Haney. Her life before she passed would no doubt have put me to shame but that was not her intent. She taught me how to fast in my broken body. In long seasons of physical difficulties, I would return to her suggestions and make fasting happen, even if it wasn’t to the utmost. Trust me. She was the boost I needed physically and spiritually. Though when I listened to Bro. Josh Herring I knew that when I could the Lord was looking for me to give prayer and fasting my all!

The last few years I have thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Jenifer Williams. Her teaching is thought-provoking, encouraging, and convicting all at the same time.  Her book on her home prayer meetings inspired me to follow through on a desire I had for years. Now I have my own home prayer meeting. Dr. Williams spoke highly of Sis. Vesta Mangun’s father, Royal Denver Gibson. So much so that I, too, read the book on his life and was greatly inspired. What I respect the most however is the fact that we can tell that she is truly A Closet Person. Sis. Williams lives it out in a greater sense that she even lets on to those whom she encourages.

Today we see Prophet Jason Sciscoe as a pastor, prophet, and a visionary. For me and many others he has been the vehicle the Lord has used to remind us “Closet People” that we matter in the Kingdom!

The Foundation of the Work of God is The Closet People. We are to be the strength, the ones who stand in the gap, and those whose faith goes above and beyond.

As I close out this article, I am reminded of so many others that I failed to mention. Yet that is how it’s supposed to be. Yes?

The Closet People past and present are hidden. Their deepest, most committed work is the part no one sees and rarely hears.

If you don’t have a role in the Kingdom or even if you do, may you be inspired to join the most needed ranks. The Closet People.

*Please Note. This essay was submitted to the UPCI Headquarters for a writing contest. I did not win but wanted to share with you, my friends and readers.