Oregon Ministry Network

First Day Encounters

Last Monday and Tuesday, I joined with pastors and leaders from all around our Network. We prayed both on the west-side and on the east-side of our mountains for our upcoming Next Generation Ministry Camps which start next week. These were two very encouraging “First Day Encounter” Prayer Meetings. Something special happens when God’s people pray. Jesus did say, “My house shall be called a house of prayer.” It was good to spend some quality time with the Lord and His people in His house.

The early church was accused of turning their world upside down in Acts 17:6. Now, I prefer to call it turning their world right side up. And we sure need to turn this Next Generation right side up. As I read the book of Acts, I notice two things.  First, they were intensely devoted to prayer. Acts 1:14, they all met together and were constantly united in prayer.  Second they lived Spiritly energized lives. Acts 1:8, But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. In other words, they acted like it all depended on them and prayed like it all depended on God. This is a good example for us to follow.

In the book of Acts, we see a powerful church but we also see a praying church. I am not sure if you know this, but pray and praise appears more in the book of Acts then any other book in the New Testament. If there is one thing we can learn from this, it is this: No Prayer + No Spirit = No Power. Programs, events and strategies alone will not turn our world right side up. Prayer and God’s Spirit is the key!

Hudson Taylor said, “I move men to God through prayer alone!” Let’s continue to move this Next Generation to God through prayer.