Take some connector links, prayer cards to add to those links, emphasize prayer in all classrooms, with all ages and you are definitely going to see God move. I had an opportunity to help coordinate the 2017 Prayer Initiative for a church in which they wanted all ages, at the same time focused on prayer. What an amazing time as I watched God touch the hearts and homes of all ages.

My involvement allowed me to develop the lesson content for the kids and their leaders while the adults and youth utilized the book “Praying with Confidence” by Jeff Leake. The kids were engaged in their services and the adults commented how the book was a valuable resource to help them develop their prayer time. Holy Spirit was truly making His way through the lives of people of all ages.

I know that prayer is the gateway to all things good since it is the open door to our relationship with God. I prayed that the people would have a renewed desire to deepen their relationship with their Creator and Lord and each week I heard testimony of that very thing happening.

Last week I received a testimony from one of the leaders that a parent shared with her that her son invited Jesus into his life and truly understood what that meant. She just wanted to say ‘thank you’ to the teachers.

God prompted one of the young adults to openly share about sin he struggled with in the past and how God has delivered him from that. He believes his testimony will help encourage others in that trap to seek God for forgiveness and restoration.

The church has seen a renewed energy and I’m confident that God will do amazing things through this fellowship of believers.

On the eve of November 4^th Pastor Terry, and myself (Garth) had a unique opportunity to partner with a church for their “Night of Hope”. The goal was to impart HOPE into the folks that attended and the community at large. Looking at our nation’s present state, and the hate that seems to be swarming around; this night had God ordained timing.

It was a night that was filled with hope. The night started with worship. Which in turn made me think of 2 Chronicles 20. Here in scripture Jehoshaphat has worshipers go before the army as they are marching into battle. If you have grown up in the church or attended it for very long, I am sure that you have heard this comparison before. That the worship was done to lift the Lord high. That then, when the Lord of Host is lifted high He brings His people to victory. Those in attendance that night worshiped as though they were going to war with principalities of the enemy. We were settling for hope and nothing less.

The night moved from worship to short messages starting with the Pastor sharing that the hope we desire can only be found in Christ. That if anyone wanted to know what genuine hope was they should meet the Lord that night. Pastor Terry was in her element of using an object lesson. She drove home the thought that hope sustains Gods people; without hope man cannot live long. I had the chance to express that the “Night of Hope” was not just a social gathering, but a night for hope to take root. Just before being led in a rendition of Amazing Grace everyone was invited to lift up a pray during a candle light service. Regardless if that be a situation, a person, or just a heartache of life to the Father, it was a great moment to reflect on the goodness of God and place it at His feet.

The night was a full of laughter and I’m sure the Lord chuckled as much as we did. It was also a night that hope flooded every part of our lives. A defining moment occured as the night drew to an end. Everyone made their way outside with a prayer written down to burn as an offering before Lord. Those in attendance prayed independently and corporately. As we made our way back in to the hallways of the church I was able to witness one of the greatest things a church can do. They entered into fellowship. They shared life, laughter, and good cups of coffee. To me that is one of the most defining representations of hope.