Waiting

What does waiting on the Lord look like? How do we know when we're doing it right?

Last night, several Indianapolis churches came together for an all-night prayer vigil, to ask God for change in our world, our country, our city, and our personal lives. We started at 9pm with about 40-50 people, and spent our time going between worship and prayer times. There were some very good worship groups there - the church team itself, a gospel choir-ish group, a men's acapella quartet, our old worship leader Clint with his guitar, me with my guitar, and a Spanish church team that both sang and did a powerful drama. In between the music, we prayed for missionaries, ministries, nations, Indy-area churches & pastors, and many personal prayer requests that God would put on our hearts as the night went on.

Over time, the number of people in the room dwindled. Some had to be up early, went to other events or had kids that needed sleep. Others were just exhausted. But those that were still expecting God to show up pressed on. It was a hard road, especially around 3am. There were only 12 of us plus our security officer left at that point. No more worship teams were there, so we just sat there and prayed... and prayed. It was very difficult to sit still with everyone so tired. I had to stand up a couple times to stay awake, and I caught everyone yawning at least once. The guy leading the prayer at that time sat on his knees with the mic, begging God to show up and asking Him what else we needed to do. We had spent the night in intercession, but so far there had been no outpouring of the Spirit. We wanted God's presence with us, and we didn't want to give up until He came, but we didn't know what else to do. I wondered if we would make it all the way to 5am like we had planned.

About 4:05 am, the guy leading us stopped praying and quietly began to sing. Apparently thinking we were done for the night, 4-5 people said their goodnights and left. The church staff & police officer remained, as well as myself, Nick, and the guy that was singing. The latter three of us collected at the front of the church by the alter to keep praying. Suddenly, about 4:10, the man's song turned into a cry. The Spirit of God was finally here, and we could feel it. Within moments, the three of us at the front of the church were on our faces in worship, overwhelmed by His holiness. Throughout the room, there were cries and prayers lifted up as people came into contact with the Living God. HE was here. The rest of the hour was a mix of spontaneous prayer, weeping before the Lord, and interceding for people we knew. There was no more exhaustion, no more dryness. We had come before the throne of the King, and He had met with us. When 5am hit, we let out a cheer. We had made it!

I remember this event as being similar to when I went to TheCall in DC. We were there 10 hours, and it was the 9th one that God showed up for me. I'm starting to think that he's trying to stretch me in the area of perseverance. :)

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galations 6:9 (NIV)

Update & Prayer Requests...

Hey all!

I know it's been forever since I've been on here. I'll try to give a whirlwind update of the year and go more in depth next week when I have a little time off! LOL In general, here's what's been up this year:

As far as family...

• Mom & Aaron still in the same jobs, though Aaron is looking to move elsewhere.
• My step-brother, Brandan, was deployed in September with the Marines to Iraq and will return in April.
• My aunt's cancer returned (I think I mentioned this one in my last post...)

Stuff I've been up to...

• Still working full-time at Eli Lilly, and just finished a night class to get my biology major back (I was one class short of the double chem-biol major when I graduated)
• This year, have traveled to Mexico, Washington DC, and - after Christmas - to IHOP in Kansas City!
• With the switchover in our church ministries (described in earlier posts), I've been involved in the prayer ministry now more than anything. Even my burden for missions seems to be on hold as prayer has been my biggest concern.
• Photography jobs are picking up a bit, and I have my own little studio in my living room now! LOL
• I'm no longer playing in the band at SUMC, but have still had opportunites to do worship & stuff (like this upcoming Friday!!!)
• And yes, shockingly enough, at the beginning of the year I ended my nearly 6-year dating fast. Still waiting on the Lord in this area, though.

Ok, so you should all be up to date now! LOL If you think of it please keep in prayer this next Friday, the 19th. We are holding an 8-hour overnight prayer vigil, and I can't wait to see what God has in store! I'll be leading one of the worship sets and some of the prayers, so please pray that God will use this little life to glorify Him. Also, pray for a guard against distraction, as I know that this meeting will be the last time I'm going to get to see a very good friend who's moving away... Most of all, PRAY for REVIVAL in this land!!! I'll try to give details on Saturday if I'm awake! LOL

Joel 2:12-17 (NIV)

"Even now," declares the LORD,

"return to me with all your heart,

with fasting and weeping and mourning."

Rend your heart and not your garments.

Return to the LORD your God,

for he is gracious and compassionate,

slow to anger and abounding in love,

and he relents from sending calamity.

Who knows? He may turn and have pity

and leave behind a blessing—

grain offerings and drink offerings

for the LORD your God.

Blow the trumpet in Zion,

declare a holy fast,

call a sacred assembly.

Gather the people,

consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders,

gather the children, those nursing at the breast.

Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber.

Let the priests, who minister before the LORD, weep between the temple porch and the altar. Let them say, "Spare your people, O LORD.

Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations.

Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'