247prayerweek's Weblog

247prayerweek — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:24:18 +0000

I feel completely without words lately trying to explain what the Lord is doing. I have felt a burden that started out as small and easy to carry a few weeks ago turn into a monster that brought me to isolation and fear and pain. All day yesterday I was trying to prepare myself for my time at the Prayer Center and figure out what the Lord wanted me to do, what He wanted me to ask of Him, what He wanted me to break free from. I got there and for the first few minutes I felt terrified. I was alone, without distraction, just me and the Lord. And it only took me falling to my knees for all of the anger, hurt, fear, questions to come out. I cried with the Lord for an hour. Worshipped Him. Rested in His love. Cried with Him some more. It was the first time in about six months that it’s just been me and the Lord. Nothing else. And I felt this tender brokenness that you feel when you finally come home after being gone for awhile. I realized once again that I am a child of God. He is my Father, and He adores me more than anything. Fear and pain and confusion can be thrown at me, but He loves me, and that is more powerful than anything in this world.

247prayerweek — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:00:21 +0000

Feb 1/08/09

What an awesome place to focus solely on prayer! Thank you for creating such a place as this. Totally loved being alone and feeling free to pray out loud and dance to my heart’s content. Released, refueled, refreshed. -G

247prayerweek — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 17:15:28 +0000

24-7PrayerWeek + Runs Aug 10-17

Theme: IMMERSE

247prayerweek — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 23:21:50 +0000

What an incredible experience!! You have created a wonderful place for people to come and meet God on an intimate bases. Thank you for your commitment to God’s family!!! -Russell & Anita DeShields

247prayerweek — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 21:29:42 +0000

From E. I have walked with God a long time now, but over the past year have allowed work schedules and other activities to fill time I should be spending with Him. I welcomed the opportunity to intentionally spend just an hour with Him at 24/7. I knew it would be the impetus I needed to draw close again.

I went first to the Community Room where brothers & sisters had laid out their prayer requests. I was led to pray for a person who wrote, “I desire drinking, smoking & partying more than I desire God. I need to find myself in Christ.” I felt a kindred spirit with this person. While those are no longer the activities that keep me from Him, I know what it’s like to have other gods in His place.

Going into the cubicle adjacent to the Community Room, I enjoyed sitting in the comfortable chair, listening to the music & praying for God to reveal Himself to me. I picked up a poem entitled “Incarnation Meditation.” The first word is “Emmanuel” – God with us. Then, I noticed that the word “Intimacy” was written on the wall in chalk. I began to feel that God was drawing near.

I spent time in the “Surrender” alcove, asking for His forgiveness and pledging again to place my life solely in His hands. From there, He led me to the “Communion” cubicle where I was overwhelmed with how near He felt & remembrance of how much He endured for me. My eyes fell on the two placards balanced on the candlesticks. One says, “You are my beloved and in you my soul is well pleased.” The other says, “I want to be with you always. Will you let Me?” Gently & lovingly, my Father was affirming how much He longs for the closeness I’ve denied Him. I was drawn out to the music & compelling words of “Consuming Fire” filling the space with acknowledgement of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Back in the “Intimacy” cubicle, I noticed a copy of Richard Foster’s “Celebration of Discipline.” God was reminding me of how I can return to my first love.

I felt He was asking me to create a place in our home where my husband & I can step out of our busy lives & into God’s space. Of course, He is everywhere, but dedicating a place where we can meet Him – one we share only with Him – seems to be something He’s asking of me. I think He wants to give us a special, reverent experience there that will be anticipated & cherished.

I was hesitant to leave that morning, so I made some notes with paper & pencil I noticed in the cubicle. It was so thoughtful of God to inspire someone to put them there. Being a writer, I feel disconnected from my thoughts if I can’t jot them down. Now, I reread my notes & re-enter that time with God. The words inspire me to reach out for Him again, knowing through faith that He’s waiting there. -E

247prayerweek — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:55:52 +0000

had my time at the center today from 12-1 pm. It was such a delight to sneak away from the rest of the world at what is generally a busy, crowded hour, and retreat to an almost womb-like safe place and experience God in a personal, yet not necessarily private way.

One of the verses I read in preparation for my prayer time was Hebrews 4:16 – So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. That image of entering into a throne room stuck with me. I started thinking that I often approach God as A king, but do I really approach him as MY king, and what are the differences between those two? I thought about how a person might greet a foreign dignitary. You’d recognize their authority in their own land, among their own people, but you’d be mindful of the fact that they don’t really have any authority over you. You should treat them with respect, as their title and position deserve, but they can’t do anything to you if you don’t, so it’s really just a courtesy. When greeting your own king, however, I can imagine it would (should) be quite different. You bow as a symbol of your submission to his authority. Your king can give you things or take things away from you, because he is ruler over everything in your world. Your king has the ability and authority to have a direct impact on your life, therefore your acknowledgment of him is quite different than that of just “some king.”

I realized that in my times of confusion and unbelief and rebellion (which are way more often than I’d ever like to admit), I still recognize God as A king, but my arrogance stops me there. I often miss out on the amazing grace that is being called and allowed into the throne room of MY king. Once I repented and submitted to God as MY personal king, I very clearly heard him say “Follow hard after me, and I will bless each step you take.” “Follow hard” became a repeated refrain…a command and a plea from my king.

It was truly a beautiful time and I look forward to hearing about others’ experiences and seeing what God will do with Renovatus on the other side of this week!

Michelle

247prayerweek — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:53:31 +0000

From Anonymous: Began the journey along the road again; stopped a long while at repentance. Arose forgiven, then journeyed to Gethsemane to lay down my will again. Communion is bittersweet. Danced out of gratitude for the Blood and thankfulness for the hope I have in Jesus. Intercession for those martyred and those who don’t yet know Him, both near and far. Confessed my nasty, dirty secrets; prayed for my brother’s too. Hoped someone would earnestly do the same for me, and the Lord will deliver me from the thing that has tripped me up too many times before along this journey. Prayed for Renovatus…and all things concerning us…the Lord’s will and purposes be accomplished through ordinary, unpretentious people loving people as Jesus loves us.

Shoeless…entered the sanctuary ready to bow down to worship. A piece of paper with a picture of a horse drawn on it caught my eye. Sat down and read the article by Bill Britton about being disciplined, trained, harnessed and well-cared for by the Master. The thing that struck me the most was the quiet assuredness of the harnessed horses, perfectly still waiting for the Master’s voice; not making any move in the midst of circumstances or enticements unless He said so. Even when other Christians make accusations. It is clear that no one else necessarily has to understand; the important thing is to listen for the Master’s voice and obey his commands. This is not new to me, but in that moment I realized I had a choice AGAIN to stay in the corral He’s put me in and then submit to discipline and training there, or allow rebellion in my heart to cause me to jump the fence to run “free!” He won’t stop me. He’ll let me go. The choice is mine.

Again, He’s offering me the chance to dance with Him. He’s the Composer, the Leader and the Choreographer. I’m the follower. It doesn’t have to be so hard, if I’ll stop trying to get Him to do it my way. Yes, I’d definitely lost sight of whose trip I was on. It’s HIS and I’m on board.

It takes understanding to submit to God’s will and courage to walk by faith. I must consider Him completely trustworthy; especially when it hurts. Prayed earnestly for the courage to enter into a new level of discipline and training, and for the grace not to slip back into unruly complacency and rebellion. Prayed for courage to stay submitted and committed.

Is only one hour ever truly enough? The time goes by so quickly; seems we just got started and already I must return to the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Lord, I’m so glad that You’re with me wherever I go. These times together in this sacred place are so precious to me and I long for more quiet time alone with You. Again, thank You for this opportunity and for this meeting place. AMEN

From Dusty: I’m not sure exactly what I was expecting in coming to the 24-7 prayer room. The idea of an hour of prayer wasn’t new to me. I’ve done prayer “marathons” before. Jonathan was somewhat vague (in my mind anyway) about the whole thing. I did think some type of art would be involved. I thought we would be praying for Renovatus and the city

Due to a scheduling snafu on my part, I was given two slots. Eight to nine Monday morning and six to seven Friday evening. I came alone Monday morning. The person before me didn’t give me any guidance so I missed the starting point for a while. The experience was reminiscent of the first time I watched The Wizard of Oz as a child. When the story went from black and white to color I was astonished and amazed. I had that same sense of astonishment and amazement.

Everywhere I looked there was something beautiful and/or meaningful. The quotes, readings and scriptures gave me things to consider and prayers to formulate. I am no artist in any way, shape or form. But the beautiful art was just that, beautiful. I felt the time passed very quickly. I thought it had been about 30 mintues when my time was up. The “theme” of my time there was refuge. There was such a sense of peace and holiness. I really experienced the holiness of God in a new and different way.

I experienced “He restores my soul”. This experience will change our church because it will change us personally. Thank you to whomever is responsible for the beauty and serenity of the space.

247prayerweek — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:52:48 +0000

From Anonymous: First off, I had to ask God to forgive me for making the time more of a burden then it actually was. I made prayer out to be something that I can do anywhere. Why do I have to go 30 minutes from my house at crazy early in the morning? Then as soon as I walked in the building, God reminded me of how he met me more then half way to redeem me, and how going to 24/7 was not the point, it was being a part of the body and community to reach out to Him for something more. Yes we need to pray and seek on our own time during the week in the places we are. How much more of an impact is it when we can get together as a people and pray for more.

The blessing from being at 24/7 was the fact that I did not have to say anything to Him, unlike my time everywhere else when He can’t get a word in otherwise, I could walk and listen to the Spirit of God and just let Him minister to me in the quiet. He spoke to me in so many different ways, a Nooma Video “Rain” actually, an article that was laying on an ottoman about the Masters Discipline (great perspective of maturing in the faith), but most of all the table of anonymous prayer requests. I followed the directions and filled mine out and prayed for only one. That simple act of stepping out of my life to seek God for someone else has shown me that we are a hurting people in need of a Father. He really spoke to me and softened a calloused heart. I am rambling, but I can not express how amazing my experience was and I plan to make the visits to 24/7 regularly. My wife is going Saturday and I am excited for her to experience something new. I am still praying for that one person, but also each and every person that crosses my mind. I have been staying away from the “me” prayer. God has done so much for “me” already. I want to see what He wants to happen in all of our lives as a people and a church. Thank you for providing the experience for my eyes and heart to be opened.

______________________________________________________________________________

From H: First thing I read on my journey was a post-it note that read “I forgive the
Hannibals”. Damn. That speaks.  It’s very humbling to feel you are the filthiest object in the room. Thank
God for grace.  My replacement didn’t show up. Like a dummy I followed the rules and called
the number for the staff, then prayed for whoever it was that didn’t come.
They missed out on so much. I should have just stayed another hour when it
was apparent they were a no show. Lisa lost some sleep because of me. I’m
sorry .   I felt so cleansed. I am greedy for that feeling again.

247prayerweek — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:51:08 +0000

My husband and I had our scheduled times Tuesday night from 7-8 and 8-9. We went in together, unsure of the set-up, but thinking that each of us could just read while we waited for the other. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the layout of the warehouse was so conducive to a number of individuals there at the same time, yet being able to be alone with God. I began by looking at each “station” and found the one I was drawn to was the one in the far right back, the “surrender” station. I started by listening to the CD, then reading the prophecy, having God speak to me about my own life and how I would surrender my life, only to take it back so many times. I was really struck by the idea that I was too much like one of those whom God wanted to use, but my own self-will kept me from bending to His Will for my life. I prayed, journaled and mostly “listened” for His Voice, an unusual thing for me. It was a conversation, not a dialogue. Thank you all whom participate in this wonderful ministry. It has made me want to find a special place in my own home where I can get alone with God and shut out the rest of the world for a period of time each day. God bless you and your families. In Christ, Cherri

From Rod: In my alone time with God yesterday He showed me that there are some folks out there that I really haven’t forgiven yet. My heart became tender. I asked that He would help me to quickly forgive. The time spent in the prayer chamber went by too fast. This time with God not only revealed to me how necessary it is to carve out significant time to meditate and have conversations with God, but also how easy it is.

247prayerweek — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:31:50 +0000

My time at 24-7 was incredibly moving. God definitely showed up and met me there. The facility itself is AWESOME and AMAZING, it certainly helped me to connect with God in a way that I hadn’t in a LONG time. THANK YOU. God did speak to me, he said that he would strengthen me, that he would provide me with the ability to do his will. I asked him what he wanted me to do and he said he wanted me to take “baby steps” toward a huge destination. Initially I was puzzled by “baby steps.” He then defined baby steps for me by saying that for now he wanted me to become comfortable again with the basics, prayer and Bible study and that he would show me when and what to do next. I’m cool with that as I know before to “jump out of the boat” to walk on water…I have to first get in the boat. I haven’t even been in the boat with Jesus for a long time but I’m ready to get back in.

I do not wish to remain anonymous.

Thanks again,
LaShay Avery