In fact, regarding the issue of "seducing spirits", a full gospel minister argued that this is why transsexuals feel that their true sexual identity differs from their biological structure — they say Trans people are being "seduced" by the devil — and while they may be sincere in what they feel is their true identity, they are "believing the lie" of the devil.  Nothing of the kind!  In fact, nothing could be further from the truth.  In their ignorance, these folk THEMSELVES are the ones who "believe a lie" when they misuse scripture to condemn Trans people! 

Last Sunday I attended a downtown street ministry church.  I do not attend there regularly.  However, I enjoy worshipping there once in a while.  The pastor is a fine man — very loving.  Unlike two large full gospel churches (the names of which I won't mention), this pastor welcomes all people.  And he preaches good sound Biblical doctrine — I thoroughly enjoy his teaching ministry.   He does not obsess on the subject of homosexuality — yet, once in a while, he'll interject a remark on the subject with which I disagree.  All in all, he does possess a heart full of love.  (Again, I want to remind you — just because a preacher/teacher may say something with which you disagree, don't rob yourself of the blessing of the many things that they teach with which you DO agree).  And remember, transsexuality is the most misunderstood subject there is.   More than once, over the years, I have had to pray: "Father forgive them for they know not what they are talking about". 

At any rate, in opening his sermon on prayer, the street ministry pastor commented briefly on the openly homosexual Episcopal Priest who became a Bishop in his denomination.  (He interjected the comment:  "Now I am not against Gay people — here we welcome ALL people)".  He also mentioned the author of The DaVinci Code.  With both people he quoted them as saying "after much prayer", and then said:  "God doesn't hear their prayers."  With that statement I strenuously and strongly and totally DISAGREE.  (The rest of his sermon about praying within the boundaries of scripture was excellent). 

In 1987 The Rev. Freda Smith, pastor of MCC-Sacramento, had an AIDS prayer vigil and invited pastors from all over the city to join in.  A full gospel pastor declined the invitation from the open Lesbian pastor, by saying: "God does not hear your prayers". 

My hetereosexual sister, Teresa, has a strong ministry of prayer.  In March 2005, when I was near death on a hospital bed, she came in every day and prayed over me. (Many others from all over America also prayed for me)  It was Teresa's prayers that got me into an affordable housing building that has a lengthy waiting list.  When sharing this with my hairdresser, I said:  "God hears my sister's prayers."  He responded by saying: "God hears everybody's prayers."  Now to that comment I definitely agree. There are, however, people with a particular ministry of prayer.  One Biblical example of this can be found in James 5:17 & 18.

Psalms 66:18 - KJV - says:  "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me."  Two other translations:  "He would not have listened if I had not confessed my sins." (Living Bible) (LB); and "If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened" (Revised Standard).  When one holds on to unforgiveness, and is obsessed with negative thoughts and emotions, they themselves BLOCK the effectiveness of their prayers.  Jesus gives an excellent example of this in Matthew 6:14, 15: You can research the many translations of scriptures on this Sermon on the Mount passage, and they all say the same exact thing.  Here I choose the Living Bible: "Your heavenly Father will forgive you if you forgive those who sin against you; but if you refuse to forgive them, God will not forgive you."  This truth is exemplifed in what is called The Lord's Prayer — "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."  (Matthew 6:12, Revised Standard). 

You can mix in a metaphysical truth to this — the old adage — WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND.  You reap what you sow.  Chickens come home to roost.  With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.  Scripture is jam packed with this teaching. You are judged in the same way you judge others.  You do negative things — you get negative results.  It is that simple.  The power of prayer is effective within the boundaries of "right and wrong".  You cannot expect good things by doing wrong.  And you think bad/negative things, you get results in kind. 

The prayers of the Lesbian pastor, the Episcopal Bishop, and the DaVinci Code author — do NOT fall in the category of Psalms 66:18.  Actually, this passage does not end with the 18th verse — verse 19 continues: "but God certainly HAS heard" (LB).

When The Rev. Freda Smith, and the MCC-Sacramento congregation conducted an AIDS vigil — God heard AND answered! 

When the homosexual Episcopal Bishop prayed for guidance in accepting this position within his church — God heard AND answered!

When the DaVinci Code author prayed — God heard AND answered! 

When The Rev. Troy Perry, and thousands of Gay Christians all over the world prayed for me when I was at death's door — God heard AND answered! 

When two Pastors, and a layperson, from Portland Foursquare Church prayed for me as I lay on a hospital bed — God heard AND answered!

And when, over the past 20 years, The Rev. Troy Perry laid hands on his long-term partner in a same-sex marriage, God heard AND answered.  Today, his partner has HIV, yet it has become non-detectable — he has gone from 40 pills a day to only 2. 

God hears and answers the prayers of all people — know that!  It matters not if you are Heteresexual, Homosexual, Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans — God responds to the since heart-felt cry of a righteous person.  James 5:16.  For anyone to say God does not hear the prayers of someone because of their sexuality is the epitomy of ignorance and bigotry.  The street ministry pastor made his comment out of ignorance — this particular person is not bigoted. 

And so my closing this week is most appropriate — ALWAYS REMEMBER, THERE'S SOMEONE WHO LOVES YOU, WHO IS WITH YOU WHENEVER YOU PRAY.  And that One is Jesus Christ, seated at the right hand of God, ever living the make intercession for us, the One who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, the One who understands and cares.  Know that!

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