. . . Our message is starting to get through!
As I reflect back on several recent meetings, I am encouraged at the readiness factor in those who come to here me talk about corporate prayer or to lead them in corporate prayer. Such has not always been the case! I can remember times and places when those assembled seemed to be sitting with arms foiled across their chest, resistant to the call to prayer.
- In late summer I led a prayer retreat for attended by three people--the three members of a church staff. The senior pastor set aside two days for refocusing on prayer and wanted his staff to begin the journey together. Prayer will be forever integral to their ministry as a team.
- A former denominational colleague, now pastoring, invited me for a teaching/preaching weekend as a step toward creating a prayer culture throughout his new congregation. And his members came hungry and thirsty for my messages.
- In Greensboro, North Carolina three dozen pastors from the same association of churches met for a day of prayer. Their state prayer coordinator brought me in to model fresh corporate prayer methods. I could "see" light bulbs turning on as pastors realized they could replicate with their people what we were experiencing in that meeting.
- Other positive responses included: preaching on prayer at an evangelism conference, leading denominational executives in a new style of corporate prayer and being the main speaker at the Annual Meeting of a group of churches.
Prayer featured at an evangelism conference? In a meeting of denominational leaders (who had to voluntarily come a day early for the prayer time)? As the main topic at an annual meeting?
It seems to me, your work, our collective efforts, are beginning to bear good fruit!
Pastor Phil
http://www.PrayerLeader.blogspot.com
http://www.PrayingPastorblog.blogspot.com
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October 2006 
