40 Hours of Prayer

Last weekend Terra Nova held "40 Hours - A Journey of Art & Prayer" in downtown Delaware. It was amazing. Several artists from our community submitted artwork so that we could have an art gallery. Then we created an inner room in the back of the storefront (which was given to us for free!) where people from Terra Nova took 40 one-hour shifts to pray. The room included several stations and prayer exercises.

It was a truly moving experience. I was humbled to hear the spiritual growth people experienced while "in the room."

There was a prayer journal in the room where people could anonymously write prayers. Here are a few excerpts:

"It wasn't until recently I began to examine why this (I couldn't ask for specific prayer requests for myself) was an issue for me. God revealed to me it was all about my faith in Him to do something for me. It was like this big 'elephant in the room' of our relationship. Even though I felt the intense and intimate love of God - there was still something between us, something I would not, could not 'give' to him in prayer. I knew it was because I could not handle the disappointment of not getting what I asked for. It was easier not to ask in the first place. God is gently coaxing this elephant out of our relationship and I am beginning to trust him...with everything."

"Dialogue with God: Can I really be called into ministry? God answers - your work in ministry is not done (Luke 15:4-7). God's work is not done and I have the chance to participate - to join Him in what He is already doing."

"Father, help them (my children) to see that following you is better than chasing selfish goals. Help to them to take failure, not as a measure of their worth, but as a chance for a new start. Give our children strength to hold their faith in you... Thank you for your unending love and buckets of grace."

"Dear Lord, fill me with your desires...Give me a heart like yours."

"You are the voice that wakes me in the morning and that guides me through the day. Some days I choose to ignore this. Like a defiant child i pull the covers over my head or take a different direction instead of following you and trusting you know the direction. "

"Change me God. I dont know how to change myself."

"Take me into your big bear hug, Father and never, never let me go so that I may never stray from you."

"I have reached a juncture in my life in which absoulutely every person I am closest to is amid poignant struggle. In my heart I know you are near me - us - Lord, and daily I am blessed by You, Your protection, Your perfect love. But in my day-to-day movements you seem farther than you once were. Show me how I can come to you and rejuvenate our relationship. I miss you."

"Thank you for our struggles, for without them we would not see you as clearly."

"Jesus, I am overwhelmed by your presence and the weight of my needs, wants, and desires."

"I need you."

"Refresh me"

"Thank you" (repeated about 50 times!)

I hope some of these prayers encourage you.

Under the Mercy,

Jason