February prayer: Day 24

Yesterday, we prayed for Travis as he made an invitation to faith at Montclair State University.  This is what Travis reports:

Jesus Christ came to seek and save the lost. And tonight at our meeting, Jessica expressed her desire to be found. We met Jessica toward the end of last semester. She didn't know why, but she wanted to learn more about God. This semester, she engaged with our group and attended our meetings, wrestling with the idea of God and the identity of Jesus.

Last week, she shared with me that she really wanted to believe in Jesus. But she was unsure:

"I mean, I believe in God. But I believe that each religion is kind of right. All these things lead to God" she said.

After hearing her out, I asked if I could share what I believe. I shared that her current view operates on an assumption and has a very frightening implication:

The assumption supporting this view is that God has not reached out to man at all. That God is distant and that it’s man doing all of the reaching.

The implication is that God has just created mankind and left us in the dark. God is just floating around while we experience death, war, violence, abuse, and famine. And this God has left us in the dark to do the reaching on our own. A god that would do that is not worth finding. That god is not worth my time, my worship, or my life.

Last week, she had to think about that as it was a lot to take in. Tonight, I gave a Gospel message and a careful invitation. When it came time for the response, she bravely stood up in front of everyone so that all could celebrate her decision to move from spiritual death to spiritual life!

Afterward while we were talking, I asked about her decision. She pointed to how I illustrated Eph 2:8-9 and said, "You mentioned this new life was a free gift. That I can just come to Jesus. Well, I really wanted that."

She still has some doubts which she says are largely based in her lack of knowledge of the Bible. But she knows she wants what Jesus has to offer.

Praise God!  Please join us as we continue to pray for 7 more turns toward Jesus this week.

Isaiah 2:5-“O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!”  The cold, darkness of winter will come to an end soon.  Light always dispels darkness.  Light     a l w a y s  wins.  ALL WAYS.  When a believer-- a Christ-bearer-- walks into any room, the room should light up!  Lord makes us to reflect your glory, dispel our own darkness, help us to walk in your light that we might help others find their way out of the dark corners they are hiding in.

February prayer: Day 23

Thank you for praying with us!  Here’s some more evidence of how God is hearing our prayers:

From Travis, staff at Montclair State University:

Over the past few weeks, our Small Group ministry leaders have tripled, a GIG (Group Investigating God) has a good chance of starting, numerous seekers and younger Christians have moved from crowd to visitor to member. Last year, they didn't get past crowd. Our administrative capacity has increased and we've invited small group leaders to join our Servant Leadership Team  meetings. At our leader's day earlier this month, we set a goal of seeing 10 students come. 12 did! In the past, that number has been more like 2 or 3.

From Diane, staff at Lehmann College:

Tim gave a great call to faith—6 students responded and I know that 4 were definitely not believers!  We’ll be following up to see exactly what all those responses meant.

As a group of staff prayed today, someone sensed that the Lord wanted to call 12 individuals this week to make a significant turn in their faith—as in new believers or recommitments.  Please pray for this!

Isaiah 1: 16-17-“…cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.”   Soon many students will come to NYC to participate in our weekly spring break New York City Urban Project.  Students will prepare and serve meals for the homeless and learn about opportunities to be involved in agencies fighting human trafficking, among other things.  

Pray that God would kindle a flame in these students to seek justice, do good, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, etc. 

February prayer: Day 22

Isaiah 44: 8-“…You are my witnesses!  Is there any god besides me?  There is no other rock; I know not one.”  The authenticity of our witness is based in who we understand God to be.  

Pray that as we grow in insight and revelation, our witness would be empowered.  That nothing would douse the flame that lives in our hearts.

From Cook/Douglass:

I just wanted to say that I have been blown away by the power of our prayer campaign this month. I decided when the month began that I would make a concerted effort to send out an email every day, regardless of what I was doing. I also decided that as often as I could I would send a specific request for Cook/Douglass. I've done both of these things in the past, but was never super faithful in sending the requests out each day, and often failed to include specific requests for my chapter. 

All I can say is that I am amazed at the response we have seen. Despite the snow canceling numerous meetings, small groups and large groups, we continue to see new people EVERY week at large group, small groups are thriving (we currently have 8, with one or two GIGs starting after our big justice outreach event in March) and we are seeing our CORE growing and stepping up. We have seen at least 2 people make first time decisions to follow Jesus, and many other students desiring to go deeper in their faith. Students are inviting friends, roommates, people in their classes, to small and large groups. They want to learn how to study the Bible for themselves and be able to talk about it with their peers. They regularly eat together during the week, and invite others to join them. I am seeing their heart for the poor and oppressed growing, and a stronger desire for justice developing. 

From Clarkson/Potsdam:

 Yesterday we were thrilled to guide over 50 students at SUNY Potsdam through the Satisfied Proxe Station, with over 20 requesting follow-up.  Today we are on track to exceed that number.  

Last week I mentioned our goal was to bring at least 120 students through the Proxe Station this week with at least 60 follow-up requests.  We now see our faith was way too small.  By the end of today we are likely to be very close to reaching that goal and we still have another two full days left!