Women’s Prayer Team - Week 9
In the summer of 2019, I worked as a Stage Host for Student Life Camps. I traveled across the country with a team of other young college students, and helped put on camps for churches across the country. As we entered into the halfway point of the summer, I started to grow weary and tired. We had just spent three weeks in Orange Beach, Alabama and it was beautiful! Our next stop was this random college in Wilmore, Kentucky. To be quite honest I was not looking forward to staying at Asbury University. It was a very old campus and everything seemed outdated.
At this point in the summer I was not serving as faithfully as I should have been. I was lazy and did not want to interact with students or anyone from these churches. There was one day I was standing in the chapel practicing my spoken word for that night, and I was approached by a custodian. He asked me about what I was there for and I explained to him that me and my team helped set up worship in the chapel. He started to say to me, "Asbury University is a very special place." I looked around the chapel as he said that and found that very hard to believe. He then went on to tell me the story of the revival that occurred in that very same chapel in 1970. If you have not heard that story I encourage you to read more about it. From that conversation, my view had completely changed and I was humbled by the Lord. I was encouraged by how much the Lord can do in the most unexpected places. That ended up being the best week of the summer. Over 100 students were saved and God worked in amazing ways. I was able to meet with a lot of students that were saved and pray over them as well. I am humbled and glad to hear about the recent revival has taken place at that very same chapel.
PRAYER TIP #9 – Set your heart on the passionate pursuit of Jesus.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Isaiah 55:8-9
God does not think the way we do. Which is honestly something to be so grateful for. We get ourselves into trouble when we think God should think the same way we do. The cool thing is that we are made in the image of God, so we can relate to God's thoughts. The same goes with the way we act. Our earthly flesh usually does not always like the ways of God, but His ways are always the best.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
John 16:33
In the verse above we see Jesus offering His disciples peace. It is important to remember what exactly was going on when Jesus said this to His disciples. At the same time, Judas was meeting with those who were against Jesus to plot His arrest. Jesus knew that He was about to be mocked, tortured, and hung on a cross, and yet He still had peace to give others. We won't find peace and renewal anywhere apart from Jesus. Suffering is promised, but peace is offered to us. Jesus teaches us that we can always find peace in Him in the midst of our troubles.
I was reminded of this verse when the recent revival started taking place at Asbury University, specifically the last sentence, "But take heart! I have overcome the world." It is so common to hear about how broken our world is. There is destruction, violence, and evilness happening all around us. At Asbury we have this beautiful picture of peace and renewal among a broken world. We see people traveling from all over the world to come to this one place to praise the Lord for what He has done. I believe ultimately revival comes from a place of devotion. God draws near to those who draw near to Him. God goes where He is wanted.
Prayer Points:
Lord, thank You for Your peace that goes beyond my understanding.
Lord, help me to pursue You above all else.
Lord, prepare my heart to share the Gospel with others.
Lord, thank You for Your kindness.
Lord, help me love people the same way You love people.
Suggested Prayer - Pray these words in your heart or out loud:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the revivals we are seeing across our country. I pray that more and more people start to lean on You and trust in Your name. Thank You for being patient with us even when we resist Your will for our lives. You are kind and faithful always, Father. Help us to find peace and rest only in You, Jesus. Our worldly desires will never compare to You and all that You have done for us. Help us to glorify You in all that we do this week.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Your Friend,
Haley Richards
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