24/7 Prayer

Prayer is not something that comes easily for many people. We learn simple prayers as children, prayers that can be easily repeated and uttered quickly, without much consequence. For many this early "fit prayer in when you can" method remains the course that we stay, until something brings prayer to the forefront. Two weeks ago, prayer was thrust to the forefront at the University of Idaho.

"You mean we are going to pray ALL day and night?" was a common question, as if the concept was too foreign to be true. "Yes we are" was the response and "yes we did" is what I am reporting now. Amy (one of the staff at the Uof I, along with her husband Eli and myself) has been pushing for this week of prayer ever since meeting Peter Greig, the author of Red Moon Rising and the leader of the 24/7 prayer movement. So Amy and Eli cleaned and decorated a room in their basement (picture upcoming), posted the "Prayer Room Open, 24/7" sign and away we went.

Praying in this admittingly beautiful room was slightly challenging at first. One hour of prayer is more than many of us were used to, especially at two o'clock in the morning. Over the first day or so something amazing was happening, the room seemed to come alive. When entering the room something tangible would be felt. It really began to feel like holy ground. The Holy Spirit was invited into this basement room and He decided to stay. Prayer that was so challenging to muster on day one, began to pour out of us by day two (I highly recommend clicking on the link for our prayer blog on the right of this page). We prayed for campus, for our fellowship, for our generation. Notecards filled the room with names of people we wanted to see follow Jesus. People used art to demonstrate their love for their God. The six foot cross often had someone bowing before confessing where they fell short that day, or forgiving a grudge they have held. Many a hour was spent in front of the world map, crying out for Shalom to the nations. Jesus was moving.

It was with some sadness, but with renewed hearts that the prayer room closed it's doors. This is far from the end of our petitioning of the Most High for our campus, the thirst for prayer has never been greater. The prayer room will open its doors again, but God's Spirit has been imparted on us. It is time for us to persevere in prayer, not just in hour shifts in the Amy and Eli's basement, but in our dorm rooms, apartments and hometowns. Jesus is on the move.

Welcome!

Welcome all who are interested in what Jesus is doing here in Moscow. Over the next couple of day I will post on who we are, a report on a week of 24/7 prayer, a recap of our recent Shalom conference and any other random events that will come to pass. Please feel free to post comments and ideas.