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I did a writing/journaling prayer in my half-hour block of time, and like Sherrie I am constantly amazed at what can be accomplished and worked through. I prayed for my two friends that I’m bringing. In my prayer I spent a lot of time asking God to just bless them and help them in the ways that I wanted them to be helped–the ways I thought would be beneficial to them. But when I started thinking about what we were doing with this event, I realized how blessed we all are to have these friends we are bringing. Every good thing comes from God, it is said, and this is no exception. Let’s think about this on its many levels: we have friends, we have non-Christian friends that we can develop trust with, we have non-Christian friends that we are given the heart to bring to Jesus, we have non-Christian friends that we love enough to bring to Jesus, and most of all, we have friends who love us enough that they are willing to go along with whatever scheme I’ve concocted. I, like many others, have my doubts about my ability to evangelize, but I think the heart of the issue is that God only needs us to get his foot in the door to do his awesome and mighty work. The foundation is already laid: we’ve already been blessed with so much love and caring, both in giving and receiving. All we have to do now is hold the door wide open.
Thank you, Jesus, for our friends.
-Lucy
Wow, only half an hour of my day, and I already feel refreshed…I am constantly reminded of what God can do if we just give Him a chance.
To be honest, I’ve been sort of worried…I’ve never really shared about my faith so I kept worrying, what am I supposed to say, I don’t know how to talk about this stuff, etc etc…I feel like sometimes I say that I’m trusting in God but deep down I still want to control things, I want to know how things will turn out…and I get worried/stressed when I don’t know how something will turn out. During prayer, as I asked God to be there tomorrow and let His will be done, God just kept reminding me that He’s in control. If I really believe that God is in control and He is good, then I don’t have to worry. And I think I finally understood that tomorrow, we’re just giving God a chance to work. So I’m excited to see what He’ll do =)
-Sherrie
My prayer plans were a bit roughed up today, as the time I had scheduled and put aside for prayer I ended up having to deal with room-mate issues. Don’t get me wrong I had to prayer the entire time to figure out what to do, but God, knowing that I wouldn’t be able to read my bible during this hour, gave me an awesome verse last night. I’ll share that later.
When I got back and ready to pray today I found a bit of a nasty note sitting on the counter, with a counter-point note sitting on top of that in the kitchen of my stevens-court apartment. One girl wanted everyone to do the dishes more, and the other girl wanted the original complainer to take out the garbage like she was supposed to…and there I was stuck in the middle reading the note and asking God what I should do, and then reminding him I was scheduled to pray in 5 minutes. (Those 5 minutes had been scheduled to get some lunch). I felt like tackeling the few dishes in the sink and after that I asked God if I could do the few on the counter, since it was cutting into prayer time. At that moment I was struck with the ridiculousness of asking God if it was ok to serve my room-mates. Then I felt like I should take out the garbage, all of the while praying for the girls I live with. Anyhow when this ordeal was over, I felt ashamed to realize that I don’t dedicate every hour to God, I barely even know what dedicating an hour to God looks like, even during a sermon or worship I’m always focused on God speaking to ME or what I will get out of it.
The rest of the day is devoted to God, even going to the Asain Art Museum with a friend from my apartment because she is stressed out, God thank you for using me to help her feel better. I love you Lord!
And as for the special verse:
Luke 13: 13-14
“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they can not repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Blessing to all who are praying for/planning/donating time/supplies to the banquet!
Cassie
“rejoice in the Lord always. i say it again: rejoice! let your gentleness be evident to all. the Lord is near. do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and mind. whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think of such things. whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me, put it into practice. and the God of peace will be with you” -phil. 4:4-9
so not a new verse for most of us, i know. but recently, this verse has really been speaking to me. last quarter, everything was going great: got a new job, classes weren’t stressful, friendships and everything at home were going good, i got to travel a bit…there really wasn’t anything i could complain about and whenever someone asked me “how are you?” my only response was “really good, actually!” i’m not saying being content is a bad thing, but it eventually got to the point where, even though i joyfully thanked God for all the blessings He was giving me, i felt like i couldn’t feel for other people anymore. so i prayed the scary “God, break me so i can feel you working through me again” prayer and boom he opened my eyes.
it’s not like my whole world fell apart or anything, but i felt like God was calling me to look out at the people around me that He’s placed in my life. there have been so many times in my life that i’ve prayed “Oh God please just be with me and give me peace!” like when i was super stressed with school and i quite often read the philippians verse, but i didn’t seem to get much peace from my prayers. but recently, God really opened my eyes to the part where is says “in thanksgiving“. i now take that to mean looking at all the blessings God has given me and thanking Him for them, but then ALSO sharing them with and investing in others. i believe Jesus calls all of His followers to have that outward mindset and you guys, it’s really so true how taking the focus off of myself has given me a new life. it’s so easy for me to stress myself out when i’m thinking about “me me me” all the time, but when i shift my attention to how i can serve others with the blessings i have been given (time, money, listening ears, healthy relationships with people) that peace that transcends all understanding really does enter into my life. i’m not saying that everything is stress-free after that or that no conflicts come up again, because all of that certainly does happen still, but it helps me realize that God is the only who is always in control and my only option is to look to Him and He what He wants me to do in each situation. and when in doubt of what to do, count your blessings and see how they can be shared with others, just like what our awesome brothers and sisters did to put on the hunger banquet-nice work guys!
keep on fighting the good fight,
lori 
Well, here’s to not writing my paper that’s due in two hours – prayer is more important. I seem to have forgotton that though, it’s my best friend sitting next to me (typing her paper) who mentioned it. What can I say though, I’m too worried about failing – God, my family, my friends, myself. And which is failing? I don’t really know anymore. Is letting myself give up one assignment? I know that once I miss one homework I tend to stop doing them altogether. I know that it’s more than a day’s work, but choosing a reasearch topic that makes up my whole grade for this class. But I’d be wrong to say that any of that matters. One assignment won’t kill me. For the rest, it will be an exercise in discipline. God help me I’ll need it.
More important than school right now is carrying the flame of prayer. There’s still a spot that needs filling in 2 hours. Make it a prayer request and keep going. (If you haven’t noticed, this is word vomit.) The world spins, my mind is full and somehow I need to calm down before I start hyperventilating. Is this prayer? I think so. I’m ranting at God like I would any unfortunate person I ran across. But unlike said unfortunate person God is softly chuckling than setting my mind at rest.
I don’t know how, but this week, my stress max for the quarter, will pass away soon enough and all will be well.
My hand just got stolen – apparently my best friend felt like doodling. Have you ever written “love” on the inside of your wrist? It’s a statement against cutting. Also apparently everything to live for, sunshine, happiness, raindrops, spring and so many things I can’t fit on this blog. One super-stressed friend to another, we hold each other up. That’s what’s written on my wrist right now. And, as I start to calm down and listen, I know to pray for those who have or are or will cut. Those who have dealt with depression. The person about to jump off the bridge that God would stop them. The girl holding a knife that God would stay her hand. There’s a soldier about to fall – that he’d reach heaven. And I’m starting to remember why prayer is so important. I’m starting to run out of steam and collapse against God. It’s time to talk now- this is all it took.
God, continue to fill me with peace. Strengthen my resolve in finishing my work once the light of prayer has been passed on. You had the sun stand still for Joshua, let it do so for me that I may finish. But only if You will, for I am a student in your ways and I fall often – a failing more important than that of classes. Yet, in it all You are there, correcting and guiding me. Thank you for an hour of epiphanies and allow me to return when I can better listen to your calling.
And happy birthday to my best friend who’s forgotton she’s turning 20 tomorrow. It’s funny how God gives everyday angels and how often we take them for granted.
God, your words are beautiful.
The burden of your heart that weighs heavy for the injustice, the oppressed, the fallen, the broken…
Sometimes I wonder if we truly grasp the magnificence that God is. I know how tired we are, and how exhausted. Yet God reminded me today, during this very much needed prayer time, that He heals, revives, and restores.
In response, I will not sit quiet and wallow in my own self pity.
“Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself?” Isaiah 58:5
No, God challenges us to seek after His own heart…
“Is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?” Isaiah 58:6
I was listening to None Like Jesus today, by Hillsong, and these words seemed to be speaking out to me for their similarity to the words in Isaiah 58 (the chapter I was reading):
“When you call, I won’t refuse.
Each new day again I’ll choose…”
It seems like a wonderful thing, to have God call on us even though we are mere humans, fragile, unreliable, breakable…to do His will. Yet it’s a bit overwhelming, no?
But God again answers, reminding me,
“Here am I.”
Those words are simple yet also very powerful at the same time. They comfort me.
“Then, you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.” Isaiah 58:9
I hope you all are as encouraged and uplifted by God’s word and your prayer time today as I was.
–Charmaine
It’s been impressed upon me that this is not just an event we’re praying for, that it goes beyond just one night of conversation with our friends. God, you love these people so much. Help us to love them like you do, and to know that you continue to work in their lives, even after the Hunger Banquet, even if it “looks” like nothing is different within them. You chose them, and you’ll continue to work through their lives.
Beyond our friends, there’s this huge campus that needs your grace and your love. It’s easy for me to love my friends and have a heart for their well being, but I know that God also loves every single person who walks across our campus. Help us to get even more of a sense of your love and vision for this campus!
I think sometimes I get into the mindset that I’m doing this “good work”, and then asking God to be in it and guide it. Yet, the entire time, God was the ultimate planner, He always has been and always will be, and we are the ones that are graciously extended the opportunity to be involved in his work. I will never be able to take credit for any of it.
But when I do remember that God is in charge, the pressure is completely off. It’s not me scrambling to “bring my friend to Christ”, as though Jesus doesn’t bring people to himself! It will always be Jesus who works in us to love and witness to our friends. He gives us the strength and wisdom and perseverance. I’m glad. (: – May
Je te donne toutes mes differences
Tous ces defaults qui sont autant de chances
On sera jamais des “standards”, des gens bien comme il faut
Je te donne ce que j’ai, ce que je vaux
-Jean Jacques Goldman
<I give you all my differences
All my faults …
…..
I can give you what I am, it’s what I’m (worth)>
Yeah, can’t even translate it properly, my sincere apologies on that, but felt
right for a theme this morning. French song, french artist. Part of this song
is in English. If you care to listen, here’s a link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH1cUXYWNTQ
I’m just going to spew out whatever comes up as needing prayer in the fellowship.
In other words, my apologies for how this may turn out.
Seriously though, listen to that song. It’s a friendship song between people singing in different languages. And maybe that fits us right now. We’re parts of the body of Christ – different parts. You can’t exactly convince yourself that a hand is an ear however much you know that both are important. And becoming two new fellowships with two different functions doesn’t mean that we’re not both part of the same body.
And any one part of a body can’t function alone. As an individual we might be a leader (maybe a neuron working between God and others), we might be a healer (hands perhaps), or even just a student (ears), but any of those structures alone is pretty pointless. Maybe that’s why we need fellowship. What kind of body
would we be, each alone, without tendons, blood vessels, or any of the numerous systems connecting us?
From another perspective, “Christ has no hands on earth but yours” (I should probably site that but I’m lazy). Christ, we are told, is the head. Hands, as anything in our body need a nervous system to be of use. They’d probably move around if you shot electricity through them, but that wouldn’t be terribly productive. We think a body is
bad without a foot to walk around on? People can survive that and do it well. I don’t know of any cases where someone survived without a head. We need God to carry out his work in our lives – simple as that. He doesn’t even need us cause he’s God and can do anything, but He lets us prepare his kingdom. Hey, it’s what we can give and he’ll guide
our hands so that even those of us who can’t draw stick figures can paint masterpieces.
To sum what I’ve written so far – we need God and each other to fulfill our individual purpose and enter God’s kingdom. That’s what we get out of fellowship and prayer. But what is it we give?
Hard to say. Sometimes I feel as if I’m an ear, a blood cell, a finger. How do I give when I don’t even know what I am. It’s a challenge really – we grow, change, go from follower to leader and in each moment there’s something different we can give – hope, a voice of ancestral pride, a shoulder to lean on (all in Goldman’s song). And we have
to give despite our imperfections. We can’t fix ourselves entirely and then give – we give all along.
I give you my ears to listen when you need to share joy or sorrow. I give you a smile to brighten a bad day. I give you my voice prayer, the work of my hands, time in abundance if never enough… I give you the love of a fellow human because in the end it’s something we can keep.
I guess there’s more. It’s a good deal more tangible than my writing sounds. But I wish to give you friendship (whatever that entails) and even if I’m breaking there’s something holding me together which I can share. I give it whether or not anyone else ever gives back.
And someday, although I don’t think this will happen until after I die, I want to know that
to God I have given all of me.
Amen
Hey IV,
Some thoughts after my prayer time spent with our Creator and Savior. I am humbled by the fact that my prayers regarding tomorrow night’s event are being offered to the author of salvation. He made it up. And so…I felt the more I prayed, I had less to tell God about what I want out of tomorrow, and so much more to learn about HIS heart for the lost. Praying pretty quickly challenged my faith that God would answer & bring to salvation to the people coming…and so I prayed that we would have faith, to believe that our God is powerful enough to soften hearts and draw them to Him. The lyrics from the song “Mighty to Save” ran through my mind–Jesus is mighty to save, the author of salvation, savior. Jesus’ great work of all time is redeeming people from their broken deadness and restoring them to new life. So I prayed for the faith to truly believe that who He is and will continue to be.
Then Jesus reminded me that I need to see people as He sees them. From a human perspective, we usually see the most put-together versions of people….Jesus reminded me of the truth that without Him, there is no life. Those living apart from Jesus are being deceived. So I prayed for eyes to see people as God sees them. That we would see hearts that need a Savior. And that we would have love for these people, love that yearns for them to find rest and satisfaction and life in Jesus, just as we have.
As we learn how to pray and witness to our friends, we must remember that is ultimately God’s project…I find this verse in Acts SO encouraging–Paul speaks to a wpman named Lydia (and a group of other women) about the gospel. “And the Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.” (Acts 16:14) Then she and her family were baptized! Paul speaks, God transforms.
“Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you, for I have many people in this city.” Acts 18:9
Happy praying
-Kelli
Hey all,
We had a prayer blog two years ago during a 24/7 prayer for a week. We’ll be hosting another 24 hour prayer this Wednesday and Thursday, concluding at Large Group and would love it if you made an update during your prayer time that you can sign up for at HERE.
password is: 247prayer
login is still: uwivcf
Let me know if you have any question and enjoy your time with God.
