Concert of Prayer

Last night I attended the Concert of Prayer for Wake County.  The ground work for this event started over a year ago with monthly prayer gatherings.  Don Rayno was instrumental in being used by God to bring this together.  He met with many pastor prayer groups to bring unity.  The last one was conducted was almost 16 years ago, and this has topped all expectations. 

When we gathered last night in the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, there was a sense of anticipation in what God would accomplish.  Almost 2000 people were present, and over 92 churches were represented.  Across denominational lines.  Across racial lines.  Across political lines.  Across socio-economic lines.  The people of God gathered for the express purpose to seek God in moving in the church and through the church.

The first 30 minutes we worshiped God through music.  Hearing all those voices sing praises to God helped me catch a glimpse of what heaven would be like.  Then several ministers led us in prayer with a focus on oneness in the church, and confession of: pride, arrogance, prayerlessness, lack of first love, not trusting and leaning on God, selfishness, critical spirit, lack of love for the unchurched, worldliness in the church, reproach on Christ, and the need for spiritual awakening.

Then we gathered in prayer huddles in the auditorium to repeat those prayers on a more personal level.

More worship music helped us segue into the second prayer emphasis…God moving through the church.  Prayers offered to God for the church to: go and make disciples; reach our neighbors; reach our youth; reach our schools/education; reach our regions marketplace; reach our urban/inner city; reach our poor, needy, homeless; reach our local government; reach those in jails/prisons; reach our state/nation; reach the nations of the world; reach the unreached peoples.  Then once more we gathered in prayer huddles to repeat those prayers.

Near the end, Don gathered us for a 30 second silent prayer that sent chills through me.  With all those people, there was complete silence.  Amazing.

A wonderful time of prayer, worship, and fellowship.  I am certainly looking forward to God answering these prayers in a way that only He can.  To God be the glory!!

View from our seats



Starting the Journey

I’ve heard that a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.  I’ve also heard that it is most difficult to take that first step.  I wonder why?  Why do we struggle with taking that first step?  In losing weight, getting physically fit, changing careers, improving relationships, improving faith, starting a journey of faith, or altering our patterns of choice…all are difficult in taking that first step.  Even when we KNOW we ought to, it’s a challenge.  Why?

I would also suggest that the disciples also struggled with taking that first step, but on most occasions, they yielded to God.  In the texts when Jesus calls the men to leave fishing nets, families, jobs, or careers, they respond obediently.  There may have been a moment or two of anxiety, but that did not prevent them from following the Master.

In our culture, my humble opinion, we place too much emphasis on comfort for the individual.  We ask wrong questions…will this make me more uncomfortable?  How much discomfort will this choice make?  How much discomfort can we endure before quitting?  Our starting point is wrong: focus on self.  So naturally the outcome will be fractured.

We should start with God.  Honoring, obeying, glorifying, and exalting His Name.  Next the questions should reflect that…how can this bring glory to God?  How can we exalt Christ through this challenge?  The starting point is correct and thus it will lead to a better conclusion.

Mary as a pirate at Krispy Kreme

Speaking of choices…my princess knows how to work the system.  When she is good and behaving appropriately, she knows to ask for items.  It’s more of a challenge to say “no” to a well behaved child than it is to a misbehaving child.  She struck gold at Busch Gardens recently when we had a weekend get-a-way.

Mary at Yankee Candle Outlet

She is loving the "fake" snow AND seeing Mr. Clause!