In the past several weeks, the prayer movement in Colorado Springs has made new steps forward in the form of the launching of two prayer rooms. One is in the World Prayer Center, running from 6 a.m. to midnight, facilitated by the college students of theFurnace. The other--with continual prayer meetings from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.--is located at Every Home for Christ's Watchmen Training Center. Both rooms represent an increased passion for intercession and worship rising in the people of God across our city.
Tonight, we pray for both these prayer rooms and for the prayer movement in general. We ask that we would capture the heart of God in prayer. We ask for strength, revelation, and for more to join in the crying out.
We flow from the prayer for our city into a prayer for the nations, continuing our effort to pray for every country of the world. We lift up our voices on behalf of seven African nations. "Let Your glory be known, God!"
Finally, we turn our thoughts and prayers to China. We are joined by an old friend to New Life, Jodi Hill, who is serving as a missionary to the people of that nation. She prays for us to be moved beyond our areas of comfort for the sake of proclaiming the message of Christ.
We are honoured to be able to pray for this servant of Christ. As we crowd around her at the front of the chapel, we pray for her, for the other missionaries serving in China, for the underground church leaders, for the native believers, and for the many unsaved awaiting the truth of the gospel. As our prayers rise to heaven, we know that they are partnering with the will of God across the globe--this is why we never stop crying out.
I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem;
they will never be silent day or night.
You who call on the LORD,
give yourselves no rest,
and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem
and makes her the praise of the earth.
Isaiah 62:6-7
Thursday, October 22, 2009
6 October 2009: He is faithful. (Archive)
Sometimes, the miracles we see at Revival Town are not on a visibly global scale. They may not involve large groups of people or seem very spectacular to our human sensibilities. Sometimes, the miracle is a revelation of God's character.
Tonight, we remember: He is faithful.
He is faithful to provide for those in financial hardship. He is faithful to heal the brokenness of His children's bodies. He is faithful to strengthen and unify our church and the many churches in our city.
He loves us. He is interested in all the inner workings of our daily lives. We are His delight.
We remind each other: He is faithful to you specifically, for your situation, for your family, for your needs. He wants to provide. He wants to heal. He wants to restore.
We lift our eyes to heaven and simply respond, “Please, do.”
This simple revelation is enough to overcome us, and we cry out praise to the God who is with us step-by-step, every moment of every day. We sing of His goodness and celebrate the freedom He brings to us. He is so faithful.
Tonight, we remember: He is faithful.
He is faithful to provide for those in financial hardship. He is faithful to heal the brokenness of His children's bodies. He is faithful to strengthen and unify our church and the many churches in our city.
He loves us. He is interested in all the inner workings of our daily lives. We are His delight.
We remind each other: He is faithful to you specifically, for your situation, for your family, for your needs. He wants to provide. He wants to heal. He wants to restore.
We lift our eyes to heaven and simply respond, “Please, do.”
This simple revelation is enough to overcome us, and we cry out praise to the God who is with us step-by-step, every moment of every day. We sing of His goodness and celebrate the freedom He brings to us. He is so faithful.
Testimony: 21 October 2009 (Archive)
Three or four days before Revival Town, my back went out for the first time in several years. When that happens, my back gets a funny twist in it that I cannot straighten, and I cannot duplicate it when my back is fine- and it hurts! When I walked into Revival Town on October sixth, my back had been out for several days, but as I walked through the doors it stopped hurting and it straightened. Amazing! I was not only able to worship pain-free, but I was able to dance! Our God is able!
Barry
Barry
29 September 2009 (Archive)
Moses prayed, ""If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?...Now show me your glory."(Exodus 33)
This was the cry of the hundreds who gathered in the Prayer Center chapel and humbled themselves before God: "Send Your glory!"
God swept us off our feet with an awareness of His majesty, and we responded with knees bent, hands raised, and tears streaming. We were overtaken by the wonder of all He is. Holy. Lovely. Majestic. Strong. True. Faithful. Everything. We sat in silence for several moments and allowed the revelation that God was bringing us to sink into our spirits.
David Perkins stepped onto the stage and introduced us to a new move of prayer in which we will be engaging every week. Using a map of the world, we will systematically pray for several countries every week. After thirty-one weeks, we will have prayed on behalf of every nation in the world.
Several members of Revival Town prayed short prayers over the countries for which we were interceding this week. Though they involved few words, the passion for a dying world which could be heard from the hearts of these intercessors was raw and strong. As we had prayed for ourselves, we now prayed for the world: "Send Your glory."
This was the cry of the hundreds who gathered in the Prayer Center chapel and humbled themselves before God: "Send Your glory!"
God swept us off our feet with an awareness of His majesty, and we responded with knees bent, hands raised, and tears streaming. We were overtaken by the wonder of all He is. Holy. Lovely. Majestic. Strong. True. Faithful. Everything. We sat in silence for several moments and allowed the revelation that God was bringing us to sink into our spirits.
David Perkins stepped onto the stage and introduced us to a new move of prayer in which we will be engaging every week. Using a map of the world, we will systematically pray for several countries every week. After thirty-one weeks, we will have prayed on behalf of every nation in the world.
Several members of Revival Town prayed short prayers over the countries for which we were interceding this week. Though they involved few words, the passion for a dying world which could be heard from the hearts of these intercessors was raw and strong. As we had prayed for ourselves, we now prayed for the world: "Send Your glory."
22 September 2009 (Archive)
Missionary Hudson Taylor once said, "God isn't looking for people of great faith, but for individuals ready to follow Him."
Tonight, Revival Town is joined by missionary Britt Hancock and his family who are in the United States from the mountains of Mexico. Their ministry has seen countless people delivered and healed and hundreds raised from the dead. Tonight, he prays over us with a burning desire for passion to be awakened in our hearts.
David Perkins requests that everyone in the room who has a calling to pursue ministry overseas come to the front of the chapel to receive prayer. Britt challenges us: Do not simply respond to another altar call, only to return to your seat and your routine once again. That, he tells us, is what cowards do. "Don't be a coward. Cowards go to hell!"
Admittedly, the words are more abrasive than we may be used to hearing, but the heart behind such a confrontation is clear. There are no intentions here to bully or guilt God's beloved. Rather, there is a righteous desire for the people of God to catch the heart of God for the ones He is so passionately pursuing. There is a lost and dying world beyond the doors of our church, and we carry the hope of God for them. At times, we must be challenged with the shouting of rough words that, like sandpaper, shape us more fully into the representation of Christ we are to be in our generation.
As we leave the chapel, we walk with wild grins, with a determination in our steps, and with fire in our eyes. We are ready to follow Him.
Tonight, Revival Town is joined by missionary Britt Hancock and his family who are in the United States from the mountains of Mexico. Their ministry has seen countless people delivered and healed and hundreds raised from the dead. Tonight, he prays over us with a burning desire for passion to be awakened in our hearts.
David Perkins requests that everyone in the room who has a calling to pursue ministry overseas come to the front of the chapel to receive prayer. Britt challenges us: Do not simply respond to another altar call, only to return to your seat and your routine once again. That, he tells us, is what cowards do. "Don't be a coward. Cowards go to hell!"
Admittedly, the words are more abrasive than we may be used to hearing, but the heart behind such a confrontation is clear. There are no intentions here to bully or guilt God's beloved. Rather, there is a righteous desire for the people of God to catch the heart of God for the ones He is so passionately pursuing. There is a lost and dying world beyond the doors of our church, and we carry the hope of God for them. At times, we must be challenged with the shouting of rough words that, like sandpaper, shape us more fully into the representation of Christ we are to be in our generation.
As we leave the chapel, we walk with wild grins, with a determination in our steps, and with fire in our eyes. We are ready to follow Him.
Testimonies : September 2009 (Archive)
My husband and I have been praying for a girl since 2004. She was involved in the occult, vampirism, drinking of blood, and satanism. We did an outreach down town on the sixth of September. She was manifesting demonic behavior. In pain, she asked us to pray for her. She was able to cry out to Jesus to set her free. She has now come into fellowship with many Christians downtown. This is the first open door we have had for her in five years. She has never known the love of God, but he opened up her spirit and seeds of love have been planted. Praise the Name of Jesus!
Anonymous
When my dad lost his job of sixteen years, my parents asked me to pray with them. I heard the Lord audibly respond to my prayer telling me not to worry. Later, my mom was showing me jobs on "Monster" and I kept asking God which job was the right one. He, again, responded saying "no" to two of the jobs, but then he said, "Yes" the the third one I asked about. The Lord said my dad would receive the job the next Thursday at four o'clock. Well, that next Thursday and four o'clock my dad finished signing the papers for employment. God really does take care of all our needs.
Anonymous
My family and I have been praying for my cousin and uncle because they weren't saved, and also because my cousin had a brain tumor that the doctors said was inoperable. They also said that the operation, should they do it, would paralyze the left side of my cousin's body. They went through with the operation and my cousin was perfectly fine! He was coherent and moving! Not only that, but both my cousin and my uncle gave their lives to Jesus!
Kasie
I went snowboarding and was attacked spiritually and physically. My friends saw it all happen. My shoulder was seriously injured and my friends saw it swell up. They said it looked the size of a leg. When I went to the doctor for x-rays, they said I had a serious break in my shoulder and would need immediate surgery. On the way to the hospital for my surgery, I and many others were praying over my shoulder, and suddenly, I felt the Lord's hands and presence. I believed I was healed in that moment. When they tood x-rays the second time, there was no break in my arm... nothing was wrong!
Adam
My husband and I have been praying for a girl since 2004. She was involved in the occult, vampirism, drinking of blood, and satanism. We did an outreach down town on the sixth of September. She was manifesting demonic behavior. In pain, she asked us to pray for her. She was able to cry out to Jesus to set her free. She has now come into fellowship with many Christians downtown. This is the first open door we have had for her in five years. She has never known the love of God, but he opened up her spirit and seeds of love have been planted. Praise the Name of Jesus!
Anonymous
My husband and I were prayer walking downtown one night at Dorchester Park when we stumbled upon a man laying on the ground. We asked him if he needed help and he preceded to tell us that he had recently become homeless. He had traveled from California to Colorado for work. His friends had left him, so he got drunk. The homeless shelter would not let him in, so we decided to take him into our home. We began to talk to him about Jesus. He told us he was a baptist and had been "saved a hundred times." We then asked him if he had a relationship with the Holy Spirit. He said he had never heard of such a thing, so we layed our hands on him and asked for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Afterwards, we retired for the night and let the man sleep in our basement. The next morning we talked with him again about Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Then, we gave him a bible and took him to the homeless shelter. Two weeks later he called our home and told us he had gotten a job. It started as part-time, but then changed to full-time. He spends the week working in Aspen and returns here on weekends. What a testimony of God working in his life!
Anonymous
15 September 2009 : He Loves Us (Archive)
Outside, rain is pouring from cloudy grey skies. Inside, the Desperation Band is running through the final stages of their sound check before Revival Town, preparing to play songs from their new album “Light Up the World,” which the R-Town family prayed for the week before. Jeremiah Parks, the upperclassmen pastor for _tag Student Ministries, will be leading the prayer meeting.
As Revival Town begins, Jeremiah invites us to take a few moments to reflect on our lives and repent before God for every way we have lived that does not look like Him. We are humbled by our brokenness before such a flawless Lord; yet we are reminded of His endless love for us in spite of our unfaithfulness, and we are compelled to respond to Him in praise. We begin to sing.
As Jeremiah and the other leaders continue to share Scriptures and prayers throughout the night, the message God is communicating to us becomes very clear: He is saying again and again, “I love you!” He tells us that we are His children, the ones creation eagerly awaits (Romans 8:19). All we are, all we do—everything stems from the revelation of our loving Father.
We must have heard the words “God loves you” a hundred times before this night, and we will surely hear them again hereafter, but the reality of this truth sinks into the spirits of His beloved across the room. Some begin to weep, overwhelmed by the undeserved affection of God. Others jump and dance, overjoyed to know their identity found in Christ. Many stream forward for prayer, seeking revelation and comfort. The Father gives it in abundance.
Our hearts are still craving revival and rejuvenation in our city. We have not deviated from this longing by soaking in the revelation of the Father's love. Rather, as we understand how great our God is and how fully He loves us, we are more prepared than ever to carry His Kingdom to Colorado Springs.
We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes.
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
So Heaven meets Earth like a sloppy wet kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest.
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets
When I think about the way He loves us.
- 'How He Loves,' John Mark McMillan
As Revival Town begins, Jeremiah invites us to take a few moments to reflect on our lives and repent before God for every way we have lived that does not look like Him. We are humbled by our brokenness before such a flawless Lord; yet we are reminded of His endless love for us in spite of our unfaithfulness, and we are compelled to respond to Him in praise. We begin to sing.
As Jeremiah and the other leaders continue to share Scriptures and prayers throughout the night, the message God is communicating to us becomes very clear: He is saying again and again, “I love you!” He tells us that we are His children, the ones creation eagerly awaits (Romans 8:19). All we are, all we do—everything stems from the revelation of our loving Father.
We must have heard the words “God loves you” a hundred times before this night, and we will surely hear them again hereafter, but the reality of this truth sinks into the spirits of His beloved across the room. Some begin to weep, overwhelmed by the undeserved affection of God. Others jump and dance, overjoyed to know their identity found in Christ. Many stream forward for prayer, seeking revelation and comfort. The Father gives it in abundance.
Our hearts are still craving revival and rejuvenation in our city. We have not deviated from this longing by soaking in the revelation of the Father's love. Rather, as we understand how great our God is and how fully He loves us, we are more prepared than ever to carry His Kingdom to Colorado Springs.
We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes.
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
So Heaven meets Earth like a sloppy wet kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest.
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets
When I think about the way He loves us.
- 'How He Loves,' John Mark McMillan
