Question: What do Los Angeles, El Paso, Rehoboth and Byron Center have in common?
Answer: People are Praying.
“Why do Christian need to pray? Because prayer is the most important part of the thankfulness God requires of us. And also because God gives his grace and Holy Spirit only to those who pray continually and groan inwardly, asking God for these gifts and thanking him for them.” (Heidelberg Catechism #116).
Prayers of thankfulness for God’s grace and Holy Spirit are springing up throughout the CRC.
What is happening?
Prayer Summit 2012 – First Bi-national Prayer Summit hosted by All Nations CRC with many Watch and Pray sites in churches and homes throughout North America.
Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 - Eastern Canada hosts two prayer gatherings.
Prayer Summit 2013 – Second Bi-national Prayer Summit also hosted by all Nations CRC. Regional, Classis and congregational Watch and Pray events were held simultaneously.
Summer 2013 - Classis Southwest hosts a CRC and RCA Prayer Summit which met in El Paso in person and over cyberspace.
October 2013 – Classis Red Mesa hosted a Prayer Summit, “Called to Pray.” The event held on the campus of the Rehoboth Christian School was attended by approximately 75 individuals. The locally planned summit featured keynote speakers, breakouts, dawn prayer and an interactive prayer experience where 22 crosses were erected representing the 20 congregations and 2 Christian schools. People were encouraged to pray for the churches and schools. It was moving to see many walking among the crosses and praying for the ministries. The summit encouraged people to pray as those their lives depended on it.
Those who attended the gathering spoke of how powerful the event was. One individual commented how he is now motivated and answering God’s call to pray. He said, “I want to be obedient to God’s calling.” Another commented that she has learned to start her prayer by praising God. She added that she was never taught to begin with praise. Another person said he can’t wait for next year.
November 2013 – The Great Lakes Regions of the CRC and RCA are hosting the Great Lakes Prayer Summit. The two day event, November 8 & 9, seeks to ignite a renewed passion for prayer in lives and churches in Michigan. The summit, held a Corinth Reformed Church, will feature a sculpture from Artprize 2013 and, through a generous matching gift, provides free scholarships for high school, college and seminary students. For more information and registration go to: crhm.org/greatlakesprayersummit.
Spring 2014 – Western Canada Prayer Summit – TBA.
What did I miss? Please share prayer stories that are happening in your neck of the woods.