What a Week!

This was an incredible week. At New Life Church we decided to do a prayer week to kick off the new year. We called it World Prayer Week in which we had two major prayer meetings each day; one in the early morning and one in the evening. Though I had desire to participate at some level I really didn't expect to attend a prayer meeting every day. In fact Sunday night, the night before World Prayer Week was set to kick off I still hadn't decided what I was going to do. I had thought about attending the first meeting at 6:30am Monday morning but, well you know, I love my sleep and had absolutely no desire to wake up early. However, God changed that. I felt His leading me to go. So I went.

The first meet was great. The meeting itself had nothing to do with it. It was good. Great praise and worship, incredible scripture reading and wonderfully led prayers. It was a typical good New Life Church prayer meeting. However, there was something to the idea of doing what God wanted you to do and then reaping the reward for it.

I knew coming into the week that I wanted to connect with God on a deep level, to gain some insight and wisdom regarding some decisions that needed to be made and to see and hear God in a very clear manner regarding His thoughts, desires and will for my life in general. From day one I felt His presence and was able to begin working through some thoughts, issues, concerns and questions.

It is now Thursday and there is one more day and three more meetings left before World Prayer Week concludes but I am now seriously thinking of continuing on my own. Though I am not a fan of waking up extra early there has been something special about getting up, driving peacefully to the World Prayer Center before the sun comes up, walking into a peaceful environment away from my normal distractions and just getting alone with my Father. This has been a great week as a result of doing just that. It wasn't so much about any answers I received or great insight that I gained regarding some of my requests. It had more to do with just being with Him. He loves spending time with His children. He loves speaking to us and edifying us. He loves connecting with us because He knows we are blessed as a result. I certainly have been all week.

Its strange really. I have always loved prayer and understood the reasons behind praying on a regular and consistent basis. I have even worked for the better part of the past 11 1/2 years in the World Prayer Center. However, this week brought a more clear understanding of the why and a longing to fulfil that why. I have refreshed my love for the Lord this week and have seen why it was God wanted me to get up early on Monday and come in. He knows I benefit from being with Him, from me sacrificing something I love in order to be with Him and from the connection I gain from putting myself in a place where He does not have to compete for my attention. I realized this week a bit more how much He loves me. He truly does. He is in love with me as He is with the rest of humanity. He is incredible. It is true, words cannot truly convey how incredible, how awesome and how utterly amazing He is. He is truly the Almighty.

Jesus, I love you! Thank you for loving me. Thank you for coming to me and working through my heart. Thank you for dragging me out of bed to share a conversation with You. Thank you for being the Almighty God, the Healer, the Provider, the Shelter, the Refuge, the courage and the Strength I need. You have built me up this week and I am looking forward to spending more time with you and growing in everything you want me to grow in. You are incredible. I love you! Amen!

I encourage anyone who ever reads this to listen to the wooing of the Lord and to get alone with Him. Read His word, pray, worship, sit in His presence meditating on His still small voice. Allow Him to connect with you. He never ceases to amaze and you will be blessed in doing so.