This past Monday night there was a winter storm warning out and we wondered if we should cancel Monday night prayer. It wasn't icey on the roads yet so we decided to go ahead and have prayer. I expected it to be down a little in numbers. But no, people are hungry for Gods presence. At prayer on Monday nights we continue to experience a strong presence of God in our gathering.
The past two weeks as I have sat down to pray during our devotional prayer time that precedes corporate prayer I quickly recognize God is there in a tangible way. There are times when I would rather not facilitate prayer because I just want to be still and soak it all in.
This night we had extended worship. On the last Monday of each month the focus is intimacy with God so we spend more time in adoration and waiting on His presence and a little less on supplication. It is a night we focus on praying for revival for West Texas. Our team has been using a new song from Shane and Shane called "Worthy of Affection". This is a song that people at prayer really connect with.
At the end of our worship time we spent some time being quiet in His presence.
Then there were three people that read a portion of the bible and then prayed over that portion and we opened mikes for others to pray into those verses. The first was Psalm 19 which speaks of the law of the Lord, The second was from Psalm 25 and the third from Isaiah 64 where Isaiah is asking God to open the heavens and come down. We had many who followed this, praying for God to move upon us.
It was one of those nights where you don't want to leave. I didn't want to close prayer. I knew it was snowing outside and we needed to let people go home but God was so in the place. Many people caught me later and voiced the same: "I don't want to leave tonight." There is something amazing that happens when the tangible presence of God touches our lives, we don't want to leave.
Jesus we love it when you love us and we love loving you back.
___________________________________________________________________
Thanksgiving:
12 salvations this week and 20 last week.
comments:
•Today in church my thoughts about God changed and now I want to believe in HIM!!
•This church has made my husband want to come!!
•Awesome! Eye opening! REAL!
•Thank you for making me feel like I belong.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Is anybody laughing at you ? MNP Reflections
Reflections from Monday night prayer this week. . .
Celebrating over 70 first time commitments to Christ in the last three week. This never gets old !
Experience Life had another record breaking attendance weekend, 2950. Numbers aren't our goal, life change in Christ is.
Victor John, one of our missionary partners from India was with us.
· If nobody is laughing at your vision, it's probably not from God.: V.J.
· One pastor/evangelist had his chickens stolen one day. He prayed about the situation. Late the next night the thieves brought back the chickens. Their explanation was that since they stole the chickens they had gotten diarrhea. V.J.
· Prayer target for their ministries in India: By 2018, 30 million people coming to Christ.
Fear will try and keep us from Gods vision for us. Confront those fears and be made whole.
A man visited our prayer gathering. He went back to his church in Seattle and began a weekly prayer gathering there. The results: For the first time in years some people committed their lives to Christ. A son and father were reconciled. A financial need was met for the church.
Prayer focus:
· Praying for people to be healed from physical problems.
· Praying for God to continue to do what He is doing and bring even more.
· Praying for God to continue the work of people being reconciled to others.
· Praying for the courage to forgive those who have wronged us.
Comments from the weekend:
- I forgave my Dad today. (this college student also committed their life to Christ for the first time)
- We need tissues ! Everyone's crying ! :)
- Breathless!
- Unforgettable!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Seeking His Face, Not His Hands
Being part of quickly growing church has its challenges. There is much to do, many people have questions, many have needs. Prayer is a key component of seeing God enable people supernaturally to meet these challenges.
There is a temptation that every Monday night becomes a time to pray over the list of needs we have. This is the reason we needed a Monday night like this past one. Our focus was "seeking Gods face, not His hands. This is a theme the Lord dropped in my heart this week and it resonated with our Monday night crowd. We had our usual time of worship. People sang with fervor as we concluded worship with "Glory to God". We followed with time waiting in His presence. This was a targeted waiting as people were telling God of their hunger and thirst for Him.
We moved on by reading a couple of stories of how God moved powerfully in times past. One story was of Evan Roberts, a key leader in the Wales revival in the early 19th century, whom God visit him in the night for three to four months straight. Gods love would come so powerfully he didn't know if he could stand any more. We read of Charles Finney. His account was of a time where he felt waves of liquid love flow through his body as he came face to face with Jesus.
After reading these accounts we opened the microphones for anyone to come up and pray that God would encounter us in revival. 15 - 20 people came forward and prayed. Prayers like "God, in our day and in our time, would you show yourself", "God, let this be the last one, let there be no need for another revival because this one just keeps going", "Lord would you move in West Texas in way that is historical, let us be the ones whom you visit", "Lord we ask for you to use us in saving souls". There were others who repented of sin. This lasted for about 30 minutes.
Andrea Morey then shared her story about how God had used the prayers of people to help her in her battle with anorexia. She had forgotten what Gods love was like and had recently experienced again the love of God. Through prayer God opened a door for 18,000 of medical expenses to be given to her also.
We closed with people praying for others with prayer needs. It was really refreshing not to be praying through our list of needs and seeking His face this night.
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First Time Decisions: 23
Comments:
Amazing! Pastor Chris spoke to my heart with specific examples of questions I've been facing!!
A lady that has been filling out prayer requests each week wrote: "Husband did not go through with our divorce! He recommitted his life to Christ Tuesday morning! Thank you for the prayers!"
Nourishing!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
30 Days to Live
The series Chris is doing on the weekends is called "30 Days to Live". What if you had 30 days to live ? Would you learn to pray ? Would you pray more ? Prayer changes history so the more we do it, the more people are impacted with what God has for their lives. This is a great reason to come to Monday Night Prayer.
Monday night again was a full house of Experience Life people who come to pray.
The band has been doing a new song by Shane and Shane called "Worthy of Affection". One of the lines says "Let adoration fill this place". This described the atmosphere or worship Monday night as adoration filled the place. At the end of that time, I encouraged people to let their voices fill the place with adoration. There are many nights that you don't want to leave the place of worship and on focusing on Gods presence. Some nights we will sing another song and on others we want to move on to prayer and pray for the many requests we have.
Our focus on prayer was on families in our church who are going through trying seasons. Especially finding out about children who have lifelong diseases, so we spent time praying for those families. We prayed again for Gods favor on the vision we feel He has given us in 2010. We prayed for many specific nations of the world as third Mondays have a missions focus. We also prayed for Mike and Terri McCombs a couple we support in Guatemala.
In our ministry time we focused on people in the marketplace who were in retail sales. We prayed for anyone with a sense that God has called them to missions. We prayed for all of the college students in attendance and then for anyone who wanted prayer.
____________________________________________
Jan 16, 17th
First Time Commitments: 28
Baptisms 8
Comments:
What a blessing to watch people baptized on a regular basis! Wow!!
Great message! Praise God! The message brought me close to tears. It really spoke to my Spirit.
Nourishing. The enthusiasm of living with Christ is a nourishing fill each week!
Overwhelming! Life Changing!
I am PUMPED and can't wait for my family to get involved!
I really enjoyed this experience and it was needed. My spirits have been lifted!
Monday night again was a full house of Experience Life people who come to pray.
The band has been doing a new song by Shane and Shane called "Worthy of Affection". One of the lines says "Let adoration fill this place". This described the atmosphere or worship Monday night as adoration filled the place. At the end of that time, I encouraged people to let their voices fill the place with adoration. There are many nights that you don't want to leave the place of worship and on focusing on Gods presence. Some nights we will sing another song and on others we want to move on to prayer and pray for the many requests we have.
Our focus on prayer was on families in our church who are going through trying seasons. Especially finding out about children who have lifelong diseases, so we spent time praying for those families. We prayed again for Gods favor on the vision we feel He has given us in 2010. We prayed for many specific nations of the world as third Mondays have a missions focus. We also prayed for Mike and Terri McCombs a couple we support in Guatemala.
In our ministry time we focused on people in the marketplace who were in retail sales. We prayed for anyone with a sense that God has called them to missions. We prayed for all of the college students in attendance and then for anyone who wanted prayer.
____________________________________________
Jan 16, 17th
First Time Commitments: 28
Baptisms 8
Comments:
What a blessing to watch people baptized on a regular basis! Wow!!
Great message! Praise God! The message brought me close to tears. It really spoke to my Spirit.
Nourishing. The enthusiasm of living with Christ is a nourishing fill each week!
Overwhelming! Life Changing!
I am PUMPED and can't wait for my family to get involved!
I really enjoyed this experience and it was needed. My spirits have been lifted!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
If ...
2 Chronicles 7:14 begins with a little word, if. Yet it is such a large word. The movement of God hinges on this word "if". This verse goes on to say
At Experience Life we are believing God for a big vision this year. We are asking that we could be part of 1000 people coming to know Christ for the first time. We are believing God for many to be touched in 2010. This vision for 2010 hinges on "If".
Monday nights is a big part of that if. We are attempting to humble ourselves, pray, seek Gods face and turn from our wicked ways. We are seeing that as we seek Him, He is found. We spend time on Monday nights in worship and prayer and are impacted by a real presence of God that meets us in that place. Our second Monday of the month was standing room only in our prayer room. We are beginning to ask God what next. Where do we put these people who have come to pray and seek Your face ? What a great challenge to have.
We got to hear a little from Greg Lavo tonight as he shared about answered prayer and opportunities he had to share the gospel on his trip to China recently.
We spent dedicated time with people leading us in praying for our Vision 2010 which Chris shared the previous weekend. One specific prayer caught my attention as we were praying for God to encounter His people with His power. We prayed for new commitments, new members, baptisms, our prayer gathering, new lifehouses (small groups) and new life transformation groups.
During our prayer ministry time we prayed for one of our hight school groups and for anyone who had a need that night.
It seems we are pursuing the "If" of 2 Chronicles 7:14. God continue to grow us in pursuing you. We understand that pride increases as prayer decreases because prayer makes us aware of our need of You.
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Jan 10 Service
First Time Commitments 4
Unique Comments
a visitor from Alabama that visits here about every 3 months to see her grandkids wrote this...
"Very blessed to hear your Vision! I am telling my prayer group in Alabama to agree with you!"
It has taken me 5 years to find a church home outside of my home town. Because of the love God has shown me at Experience Life, I haven't missed in 2 months! I can't wait to see all the blessings in 2010. Thank you for this!
Last Sunday, I had someone from your prayer group pray with me. It was for a new life without guilt and fear. For the last year I had been abused mentally and physically by a man. On Nov. 12, 2009 he got sentenced to 20 years. ** Ever since last Sunday, I feel so relieved and feel like nothing can weigh me down!**
"If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."
At Experience Life we are believing God for a big vision this year. We are asking that we could be part of 1000 people coming to know Christ for the first time. We are believing God for many to be touched in 2010. This vision for 2010 hinges on "If".
Monday nights is a big part of that if. We are attempting to humble ourselves, pray, seek Gods face and turn from our wicked ways. We are seeing that as we seek Him, He is found. We spend time on Monday nights in worship and prayer and are impacted by a real presence of God that meets us in that place. Our second Monday of the month was standing room only in our prayer room. We are beginning to ask God what next. Where do we put these people who have come to pray and seek Your face ? What a great challenge to have.
We got to hear a little from Greg Lavo tonight as he shared about answered prayer and opportunities he had to share the gospel on his trip to China recently.
We spent dedicated time with people leading us in praying for our Vision 2010 which Chris shared the previous weekend. One specific prayer caught my attention as we were praying for God to encounter His people with His power. We prayed for new commitments, new members, baptisms, our prayer gathering, new lifehouses (small groups) and new life transformation groups.
During our prayer ministry time we prayed for one of our hight school groups and for anyone who had a need that night.
It seems we are pursuing the "If" of 2 Chronicles 7:14. God continue to grow us in pursuing you. We understand that pride increases as prayer decreases because prayer makes us aware of our need of You.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan 10 Service
First Time Commitments 4
Unique Comments
a visitor from Alabama that visits here about every 3 months to see her grandkids wrote this...
"Very blessed to hear your Vision! I am telling my prayer group in Alabama to agree with you!"
It has taken me 5 years to find a church home outside of my home town. Because of the love God has shown me at Experience Life, I haven't missed in 2 months! I can't wait to see all the blessings in 2010. Thank you for this!
Last Sunday, I had someone from your prayer group pray with me. It was for a new life without guilt and fear. For the last year I had been abused mentally and physically by a man. On Nov. 12, 2009 he got sentenced to 20 years. ** Ever since last Sunday, I feel so relieved and feel like nothing can weigh me down!**
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
2010, Here We Come
What a great way to start 2010 Monday Night Prayer. We had a full house. The prayer room was packed. Gods presence was evident. The last song in worship was "Fire fall down". We lingered in His presence at the end of the worship time. John 15:16 came to mind as we soaked in Gods presence. "You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and appointed you that you would bear much fruit and that your fruit would remain". Even in our brokenness God has chosen us and will use us. He wants us to produce eternal fruit which only comes from spending time with Him.
We walked through the Lord Prayer in Matt 7, topic by topic. We spent time reading comments from this weeks service and had a couple of stories of what God had done recently. We then had people pray on the mikes that God would grow us in His word, prayer, and in community. We prayed for next weekend where Chris will share the vision of Experience Life for 2010. We prayed for revival in us (intimacy) and revival to us (God showing up in our geographic area).
The time ended as we had people stand who were sick and those who were believing for something specific for God to do in 2010. We had all those around them gather and pray for them.
I am more convinced than ever that prayer is vital to what God wants to do. I am praying we get stronger and more efficient in prayer in 2010.
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Christmas Eve Service
First Time commitments to Christ 25
Baptisms 2
What a blessing! You guys are all amazing and so talented. Thank you for all you do! May unending blessings be poured out on all of you! Merry Christmas!
A life experience and eye opening! (this FTG committed their life to Christ)
"Have had trouble finding a church I connect with but want to find one badly...Awesome band and sermon!" This was a 23 yr old FTG who committed to Christ, wants to volunteer with children, and marked Prayer Gathering interest ~ I think she found a church :)
The first time I visited this church I wrote on the connection card ♫ I still haven't found what I'm looking for ♫ I have now found what I was missing! (He committed his life to Christ!)
Jan. 2 and 3rd service
First Time commitments to Christ 5
Baptisms 8
Comments:
Awesome! I feel God's love! Even in a skating rink!!
It was awesome! I felt at home!
It was awesome :) I have never been so excited to wake up and come to church!
It was a very, very spiritual experience.
I like experiencing life differently! :)
We walked through the Lord Prayer in Matt 7, topic by topic. We spent time reading comments from this weeks service and had a couple of stories of what God had done recently. We then had people pray on the mikes that God would grow us in His word, prayer, and in community. We prayed for next weekend where Chris will share the vision of Experience Life for 2010. We prayed for revival in us (intimacy) and revival to us (God showing up in our geographic area).
The time ended as we had people stand who were sick and those who were believing for something specific for God to do in 2010. We had all those around them gather and pray for them.
I am more convinced than ever that prayer is vital to what God wants to do. I am praying we get stronger and more efficient in prayer in 2010.
--------------------------------------------------
Christmas Eve Service
First Time commitments to Christ 25
Baptisms 2
What a blessing! You guys are all amazing and so talented. Thank you for all you do! May unending blessings be poured out on all of you! Merry Christmas!
A life experience and eye opening! (this FTG committed their life to Christ)
"Have had trouble finding a church I connect with but want to find one badly...Awesome band and sermon!" This was a 23 yr old FTG who committed to Christ, wants to volunteer with children, and marked Prayer Gathering interest ~ I think she found a church :)
The first time I visited this church I wrote on the connection card ♫ I still haven't found what I'm looking for ♫ I have now found what I was missing! (He committed his life to Christ!)
Jan. 2 and 3rd service
First Time commitments to Christ 5
Baptisms 8
Comments:
Awesome! I feel God's love! Even in a skating rink!!
It was awesome! I felt at home!
It was awesome :) I have never been so excited to wake up and come to church!
It was a very, very spiritual experience.
I like experiencing life differently! :)
Monday, December 21, 2009
Prayer Celebration 2009
As a staff we are reading through the Bible in 90 days. As I was going through the Psalms I noticed how they were always encouraged to celebrate Gods goodness. Many of the Psalms were written to be used in corporate worship. It struck me that we should celebrate Gods goodness in all of the amazing ways He answered prayer this past year.
So our newly born Monday Night Leadership Team began to brainstorm about what that would look like and "The Prayer Celebration" was born. The Prayer Celebration began with us decorating the room. We put up some huge posters with the names of God on them and artistically done by one of our artist. We began by sharing with people some of the things God did among us at Experience Life this year: Over 550 first time commitments to Christ, over 250 baptisms, we shared some individual stories of answered prayer. Then we had the full band rocking the house with thanksgiving to God. In between sets we would have individuals come up and share their most exciting time of the past year. One story was the powerful way God moved at two year anniversary at the end of all services as people came up and did cardboard testimonies and we sang "All I Need". Each service left people crying at Gods goodness.
Another was praying over the skating rink where we hold services one night and sensing Gods presence so strongly. It was the first time our people praying circled around the whole rink.
After worship and more sharing we went into a time of communion where people reflected on all God has done in 2009. Finally Chris, our lead pastor came up and shared from His heart about the year. He shared his appreciation to all the people of Experience Life and those who had been a part of corporate prayer this year.
We appreciated some of our volunteers and finally gave a rousing standing ovation for the one who had made it all possible: Jesus. We closed with one more song.
It has been an incredible year. God has been faithful through the good and the touch times. I am looking forward to seeing how we grow in prayer in 2010.
So our newly born Monday Night Leadership Team began to brainstorm about what that would look like and "The Prayer Celebration" was born. The Prayer Celebration began with us decorating the room. We put up some huge posters with the names of God on them and artistically done by one of our artist. We began by sharing with people some of the things God did among us at Experience Life this year: Over 550 first time commitments to Christ, over 250 baptisms, we shared some individual stories of answered prayer. Then we had the full band rocking the house with thanksgiving to God. In between sets we would have individuals come up and share their most exciting time of the past year. One story was the powerful way God moved at two year anniversary at the end of all services as people came up and did cardboard testimonies and we sang "All I Need". Each service left people crying at Gods goodness.
Another was praying over the skating rink where we hold services one night and sensing Gods presence so strongly. It was the first time our people praying circled around the whole rink.
After worship and more sharing we went into a time of communion where people reflected on all God has done in 2009. Finally Chris, our lead pastor came up and shared from His heart about the year. He shared his appreciation to all the people of Experience Life and those who had been a part of corporate prayer this year.
We appreciated some of our volunteers and finally gave a rousing standing ovation for the one who had made it all possible: Jesus. We closed with one more song.
It has been an incredible year. God has been faithful through the good and the touch times. I am looking forward to seeing how we grow in prayer in 2010.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Prayer the Past Few Weeks
The key constant of Monday Night Prayer this year has been the awareness we all have of the presence of God. It is a humbling thing to be in a place where everyone believes God is in the place and working in hearts and lives of the people there.
In the past few weeks we have been privileged to celebrate how God has graciously moved among us in 2009. At the first of the year, we prayed that God would give us 500 people who had committed their lives to Christ for the first time. Two weeks ago we surpassed that. We recognize that this is a God thing. It wasn't something we were smart enough to do on our own. It wasn't something we could have planned. We prayed a prayer we thought was a "Gods will" prayer and God amazingly brought the fruit. Sometimes in the last months we surpassed 200 baptisms. I tell people in prayer it is like moving from awe to awe. I can't seem to get a grasp on how God is moving on one thing and we see Him touching people again and we have to move on to that amazing thing.
We continue to grow with our prayer teams. At Monday night prayer we are now asking those people who have been through our initial prayer training to come to the front and side of the room and be available to pray for various people.
This past week (1st Monday in December) we prayed for people who felt like giving up in some area of their lives. We also prayed for those who were dry in their walk with God. This prayer time followed worship at the front end of Monday night. We had people raise their hands if this prayer request fit them and then had various people pray for them on the mike.
As 2009 is winding down, I find myself seeking God for what lies ahead in 2010. As prayer pastor I am excited. We are starting the year 2010 by bringing our prayer service to the first weekend. The services for the first weekend in 2010 will actually be a prayer service for our whole congregation. We will be doing this twice in 2010. Prayer is a priority for us.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are Thankful for:
Commitments to Christ 11
Interested in Baptism 1
Unique Comments:
In the past few weeks we have been privileged to celebrate how God has graciously moved among us in 2009. At the first of the year, we prayed that God would give us 500 people who had committed their lives to Christ for the first time. Two weeks ago we surpassed that. We recognize that this is a God thing. It wasn't something we were smart enough to do on our own. It wasn't something we could have planned. We prayed a prayer we thought was a "Gods will" prayer and God amazingly brought the fruit. Sometimes in the last months we surpassed 200 baptisms. I tell people in prayer it is like moving from awe to awe. I can't seem to get a grasp on how God is moving on one thing and we see Him touching people again and we have to move on to that amazing thing.
We continue to grow with our prayer teams. At Monday night prayer we are now asking those people who have been through our initial prayer training to come to the front and side of the room and be available to pray for various people.
This past week (1st Monday in December) we prayed for people who felt like giving up in some area of their lives. We also prayed for those who were dry in their walk with God. This prayer time followed worship at the front end of Monday night. We had people raise their hands if this prayer request fit them and then had various people pray for them on the mike.
As 2009 is winding down, I find myself seeking God for what lies ahead in 2010. As prayer pastor I am excited. We are starting the year 2010 by bringing our prayer service to the first weekend. The services for the first weekend in 2010 will actually be a prayer service for our whole congregation. We will be doing this twice in 2010. Prayer is a priority for us.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are Thankful for:
Commitments to Christ 11
Interested in Baptism 1
Unique Comments:
Thank you for sharing His Crazy Love.
Super job - you guys rock!
This is a reminder of God's crazy true love for us!
Fulfilling!
Great! :) Great Reminder for Me!
All I can say is Thank You!
Very Uplifted!
Amazing! Got Holy Spirit goose bumps! :)
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