I'm just a little dense...

Last night was the first of 10 Days of Prayer in the City Church as we approach the GLOBAL Day of Prayer on Sunday, May 27th. You can get all the details here.

The last day (26th) is for everyone, but will be youth led on the 3 buttes in our community: Kelly, Spencer and Skinner’s Butte. (The Norkenzie family is gathering at Skinner’s Butte, 10:30am.)

So at last night’s prayer meeting Pastor Steve Buss mentioned that it was “Ascension Day.” It was a light bulb turning on over my head. I know I’m a pastor, but sometimes I’m just a little dense…

Ascension Day is the observation of when Jesus, after His resurrection, ascended into Heaven. Remember these verses?

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

Acts 1:8-9

When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

Luke 24:50-53

Jesus’ ascension was 40 days after His resurrection… 10 days before the Day of Pentecost! The 10 Days of Prayer leading up to the GLOBAL Day of Prayer is not arbitrary! It’s not just a round number… it’s biblical! (For all of you who knew this, please reply to this with a simple “Duh.”)

Did you notice what the disciples did after Jesus ascended? “Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.” (Luke 24:52-53) And again in Acts, notice what they did for those 10 Days…

They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

Acts 1:14

Last night’s prayer meeting was amazing! God’s Presence was clearly in the place as His people from throughout the city joined their hearts and voices in prayer and worship. I was convicted of my own prayerlessness. I get too busy with things and I start going too fast to pause to pray. No, that doesn’t make any sense! And yet the Savior that saves me from all of my sin saves me from that one too. He is gentle with us, encouraging us… I’m so thankful for His mercy.

Mercy is what our community needs. We need to pray for this place we call home, that God would come and transform this place. Do you agree?

These 10 Days of Prayer give us the opportunity to pray! To come out of our stupor of prayerlessness and seek the One who can and does make all of the difference. We need God.

I already know that I won’t be able to make all of the prayer meetings in these 10 Days, but I can still pray. And I am… If you hear God’s Spirit asking you to seek Him and pray, I hope to see you at one of these very unique opportunities to pray with brothers and sisters in the City Church.

Each prayer meeting is in a different location, but all (except the “Prayers from High Places” on the 26th) go from 7 to 8:30pm. Here’s the remaining schedule:

Tonight: Springfield Faith Center
Saturday: Emerald Bible Fellowship
Sunday: First Baptist Church
Monday: Calvary Open Bible Church
Tuesday: Eastside Faith Center
Wed: The Lighthouse
Thursday: Faith Center
Friday: Hosanna Christian Fellowship
Saturday: “Prayers From High Places,” 10:30am