This ONETHING ...

by Eliya Criniere

Over the past year, I have been contemplating my future after graduation, carefully crafting what I believed to be the perfect plan. However, I soon realized that my plans did not align with what God had in store for me. But as I surrendered my will to Him, the Lord led me in a different direction that I never could have imagined.

Recently, I was accepted into the Onething Internship program at the International House of Prayer University, and I am convinced that this is where God wants me to be. I am choosing to put Him first in my life, even though it may be challenging. Having experienced God's faithfulness time and time again, I am confident that I can trust Him to lead me on this new path. The internship was named after this verse which is very fitting for me in this season.

"One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple." - Psalms 27:4

The acceptance into the Onething Internship program at IHOPU has been a significant milestone for me. It has reinforced my conviction that God has a specific calling for my life and has paved the way for me to pursue this path with confidence.

Last year, I discussed the idea of applying for the internship with my parents, and they were very open to it. I asked my dad about it repeatedly, as I felt it was something I truly needed to do. We prayed together on numerous occasions, and it was encouraging to see my dad bring everything before God, no matter how big or small. Watching him devote himself to God made me reflect on my own life and evaluate how much of myself I was giving to God. While my dad believed that I did not need an internship to grow closer to God, I felt that it was what God was calling me to do.

The Onething Internship is a six-month program designed for young adults to seek the Lord together within a like-minded community. The core element of this internship is the prayer room, where interns can spend time in prayer, worship, and meditation. Additionally, interns attend classes, serve in various roles around the missions base, participate in small groups, and receive discipleship. The internship is designed to help interns grow in their confidence in God's love for them as they delve deeper into His Word and prayer. In my opinion, it is crucial to have a deep life of prayer, as it is like a lifeline. Without it, we cannot survive. Prayer helps us to connect with God, seek His guidance, and grow in our relationship with Him. The Onething Internship provides a unique opportunity to devote myself entirely to God, to seek Him with all my heart, and to experience His love and grace in a way that is difficult to achieve in day-to-day life.

I am excited about what God has in store for me during this program. I believe that the Onething Internship is going to be an exceptional opportunity for me to grow in my faith, deepen my prayer life, and gain a sense of purpose and belonging within a community of like-minded individuals. I am eager to experience His love and grace in new and profound ways.

As I prepare to begin this journey, I am reminded of the words from scripture:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

I trust that God will guide me through this season of my life, and I am grateful for the opportunity to grow closer to Him through the Onething Internship. I believe that the Onething Internship will be a transformative experience that will equip me to serve God in all aspects of my life. I am excited to see what God has in store for me during this program and look forward to growing in my faith, deepening my prayer life, and building lifelong relationships with my fellow interns.

So far, I have saved half of the internship tuition - I still need to raise about $3,000. If you would like to help me pay the rest of my tuition, you can send money directly to my Paypal using the link below. Blessings.

Eliya's Paypal