We Interrupt this Series of Blogs to . . . Pray

Here I sit in my chapel in Bangor, Maine. It's SonDay at 8:10 AM and I've been here since 7:30. Lincoln Brewster (we'll talk about him as a worship leader soon) is playing over the sound system and although I am just finishing the necessary prep for the services (Turn the heat and lights on, get the computer and sound system up and running, etc). I have recently begun to come in on Saturday to do the majority of this prep because it has so easily taken over the time I would rather use for prayer on SonDay. You know, it's so easy to let other things take over my prayer time!

Anyone else out there understand that?

Even this entry, as important as it is, takes valuable time away from what I consider to be the MOST important use of my time- ESPECIALLY on SonDay AMs. And I was fighting off the urge very well this morning, until God spoke very clearly that right now, he wants me to write this word from him.

Where is my church? Where are my people? On the day they have set aside to worship me, so many are still in bed trying to get those last few "precious" minutes of sleep. I want to meet with you- even before the larger group gathers, to prepare you; to use you to prepare the atmosphere in my house for my people who don't yet know me and rid it of your enemy's presence which so often trips you up from my greater purposes and keeps you from reaching the heights of worship I desire.

Can you give up those precious minutes of sleep for me? Would you come to be with me just a little earlier? You'll never get there before me; I'm always there waiting for you. I have been waiting.

I'm still waiting.

You know, I've made it my practice to spend SonDay AMs in my chapel for the last 15 years. I fast and pray for God's people in my corps to experience God and let him change them. I've seen results. But mostly I've seen the change in my own life as I've come to cherish this special time with God.

Anyone out there listening? Anyone willing to put yourself out a bit, one day a week? Anyone willing to take up this challenge of mine; this request from your God?

Then start next SonDay. Get up early, get ready, skip breakfast and head to your corps chapel to worship and pray. If you don't have access at that time of morning, I'm sure you can get your CO or Sgt Major (praise God for faithful Sgt Majors!) to open up the building a bit earlier than usual for this purpose. If you're faithful enough, maybe they'll eventually give you a key. Maybe they'll join you. Maybe we'll start something that will spread all over the Army world and we'll see that revival that God has promised and so many of us have been praying for. Who'll be the first?

Trust me- God will already be there and he'll be glad you came.

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To anyone taking up this challenge, I'd appreciate it if you'd let me know. Keep me posted on what God is saying to you; what happens in your corps services; who joins you, etc.