Day of Prayer

Okay, I'll admit it....it's not very spiritual but I've always thought day of prayer was - well kind of boring - even a waste of time! I know, I know - how can a leader in a ministry say that? I know that some people deeply experience God by sitting in a room with others and crying out to God - there have even been times that I've had that deep experience of God by crying out to him in a room full of people....but I'm by nature an active person. I have a hard time focusing if I sit and try to concentrate for too long. As Christians I think we often get into a rut. We find something that works - or something that's easy and we do it over and over again and then often wonder why it's dry or even boring.

Yesterday we had a great day of prayer. Our entire team went down to the French Quarter and spent the day there. It was one of those perfect fall days - low humidity but still warm and sunny. We started off at Cafe Du Monde - having coffee and beignets - laughing and connecting as a team. In the background street musicians were playing There was a cool breeze and it carried the smell fresh beignets being served and cafe au lait being brewed. It felt so alive.

From there we spent some individual time connecting with the Lord. Just sitting behind the cafe looking over this city that God has called us to, I felt overwhelmed by His presence - by His desire for the city. Something about being in the heart of the city revealed God's heart for the city to me.

From there we spent the rest of the morning meeting in the park at Jackson Square - a combination of prayer walking and sitting on benches praying for our leaders. At one point the street musicians were playing Amazing Grace as we were praying. We then all gathered for lunch at a restaurant looking out on the St. Louis Cathedral. All the doors were opened and it was a great time of connecting and enjoying Po-boys and other New Orleans cuisine.

In the afternoon we took more walks - heard the jazz musicians practicing at Preservation Hall as we prayed for the city. We sat in a 250 year old cathedral and prayed for our partnership in Mexico City and finally walked down the river and prayed for our students.

What I loved about the day is that it was active - it was alive and engaged with the very heart of our city. It wasn't hidden in some building - but in the open....moving and celebrating the things we love about the city (food, music, history, ect). It reflected my God who is creative and active and whose heart beats for the city. It's not the only way to spend a day of prayer - it's not the only way to engage the heart of God....but it sure was the most fun day of prayer I've ever had!