Pressing on

Sun 07/29/07
Susan usually wakes up early and lays quietly in bed until I wake up, sometimes for an hour or two. She might doze off a bit. Mostly left alone with her thoughts in that waking hour, but in an impaired condition, she's been working hard to make sense of the world. I think it's getting easier. She said this morning with a lilt in her voice, "You get some really bizarre thoughts floating through your mind when you have only half a brain."

We gathered at Emmanuel for another amazing worship and prayer service. It was amazing because although only minimally planned, with the masterful direction of the Holy Spirit it flowed beautifully among worship, scriptures, prayer, exhortation, communion, and general crying out to God on behalf of His people. I am in awe and deeply intrigued by the Living God's ability to supply everything necessary for deeply moving, participatory worship from whoever happens to gather as the Body of Christ.

We compiled written notes people received during our three-day fast. The themes
are powerful and well-connected. There is a strong sense that this season of
affliction involves a spiritual battle being waged for the advancement of God's
kingdom into long-held enemy territory, particularly related to our church's
initiative to minister in the City of Compton. In Matthew 11:12, Jesus speaks of
the kingdom of heaven "forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it."
While the devil is pushing back against the kingdom's advance by attacking the
people of God, his pathetic defense will be overrun. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus
speaks of Peter's proclamation that He is the Christ as the foundation of the
church, "and the gates of hell will not overcome it."

Against that backdrop, we have the sense we are to love God and we are to love, encourage and care for each other. We are not to fear or despair. Other themes that emerged are confidence in God, trusting God, seeking God, God the healer, waiting on God, exalting God, praising God, hoping in God, remaining in God, having faith in God, having unity, surrender to God, contending in faith, persevering under trial, humility before God. More themes are repentance, worship, warfare, and God's provision. These themes are the basis for the next four days of continual prayer.