There was a spiritual shift that occurred in the heavenlies this last Wednesday night, November 18th, at the 2nd annual Community Thanksgiving Service. Through many reports and conversations, there is a tangible momentum in the air for real revival in the river valley.  As Heritage Church’s pastor Wes Hilliard began to share his personal experiences, desire, and historical accounts of true, broad-sweeping revival, a hunger was released in the hearts of many to know more about what the Lord has done in recent years to change entire cities and people groups in a matter of days and weeks.

There’s always this first thought that pops into my head as I consider past revivals, “Get out of the past! Live in the now! Don’t look back… look ahead!”  That is all well and good, but there is a valid cry that must arise from the children of God in this hour - that was inspired by the Holy Spirit to arise in many generations as recorded in His Word:

“Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.” Habakkuk 3:2

“This is what the Lord says: “What fault did your fathers find in me, that they strayed so far from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves. They did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord?…The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord?’ Those who deal with the law did not know me; the leaders rebelled against me. “  Jeremiah 2:5-6

We look back, first, to His Holy Word and stand in awe of His deeds.  We look back to the Great Awakening, the Second Great Awakening, and The Welsh Revival, and see entire cities and nations transformed and know that His Word is true, and His promise unchanged.  He wants us to ASK! His “promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call. (Acts 2:39)” That’s us! What is this promise of which Peter spoke? That everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, and that then God would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh - to testify of Jesus through a victorious life and supernatural knowledge of God that results in spiritual authority. (Acts 2, Joel 2)

But He desires… He requires… that we ASK Him for it, and that we gather together in the place of prayer and “actively wait” on it.  That is what we are doing all day tomorrow, from 8am to 10pm at The Burn hosted this month by Heritage Church.

Come and be apart of the increasing momentum. Pay the price in the place of gathered prayer. If you are able, I specifically ask you to come to the 6pm to 8pm set as one of our intercessory worship teams leads the music, and Pastor Wes (Heritage), Pastor Damon (Crossroads), and our faithful intercessory Katie Howell help lead us in prayer for the outpouring of God - revelation of the Son - by His Holy Spirit.

Join believers from all over the region on Saturday, November 21st for “The Burn - River Valley“!

This month’s Burn will be hosted by Heritage Church at 1604 Pointer Trail, Van Buren, Arkansas.  From 8am to 10pm, vertical worship and honest prayers will be sent up from the river valley.  We will be gathering for the entire 14 hours in the new youth ministry room, upstairs in the new student life center at Heritage.  So, don’t get discouraged if the “main doors” are locked - just drive around to the south east parking lot (the new two-story building), and go up the elevator (or stairs) and join in the adoration of the Lord with us.

What should you expect?

The Burn is an atmosphere of “vertical worship.”  This is where those people who happen to be on the platform with instruments are simply pouring out their hearts and adoration directly to the Lord just like the psalmists of old did - just like those priests who were chosen and allowed by God to minister directly to Him, as opposed to the unfaithful priests who were only allowed to minister to people (see Ezekiel 44:10-16).  So, the worshiper’s intention is not to “lead you in worship”, but to create a place where the Lord will inhabit their praises, into which you can come and sit, adore, soak, read your Bible, or whatever you feel led to do that is decent and in order by the wide-range of Biblically acceptable expressions of worship and devotion.

Come and Soak. Burn. Go and Shine.

As many of you know, we had to temporarily stop our consistent Saturday prayer gatherings due to leaks in the roof of the prayer room.  It turns out, that this was a much needed time in mine and Robin’s lives to spend some more time with just us and the Lord, and with our family.  The Lord has really been blessing us with rest and refreshing us.  We’ve also had some great opportunities to serve some other local ministries through prayer and worship that our schedule may not have allowed for in previous times.

The Lord has given me some exciting vision for a new season, and I originally thought it was for 2010 - but, I need more clarity on the “when”.  The “what”, “why”, and “how” are amazing, and the Lord just completely downloaded them to me in a matter of minutes while spending some time in personal prayer out at the Youth With A Mission Base in Ozark (YWAM-OZARK - Thank you Jim & Barb Nizza and the YWAM hospitality team). It was funny how it happened, and I’ll leave you with this “life lesson turned devotional thought”:

I thought I was going on this prayer retreat to “get vision for the next step of the prayer ministry.”  This time away was GOING to be productive - spiritually… I was determined.  I get there, unpack my things, move some stuff around the room to make it more conducive for my devotional needs, and then start right into praying and asking.  IMMEDIATELY, the Lord stopped my prayers and said, “this time is just for Me and you to hang out together - just love on me… worship… adore… read My Word… read a book about My goodness… no asking this time.”

I spent the next 32 hours or so doing nothing but those things.  The night before I left, I started putting the room back the way it was and packing my things up; I was ready to go to bed and put to rest this really glorious and sweet time I had with the Lord.  Just as I was about to lay down, the Lord reminded me of something, which then lead to an entire vision, plan, and strategy for the local church regarding prayer and worship.  Then I wrote my first EVER complete worship song, and two more pieces, all in a matter of minutes.

If you will let Him fill you up, you will overflow.

Aaron

p.s. Oh, yeah, this post was about the status of the prayer room.  Join us in prayer as we seek that answer together.  Honestly, the financial support isn’t enough to be able to be faithful in paying rent to anyone (we average about $250 per month).  Rent on most of the buildings that are of adequate size and type are typically $800-$1500 per month.  We don’t ever want to be a bad testimony to a property owner - so, maybe your answer to the “what now” is a consistent monthly gift?  If so, please visit mine and Robin’s ministry website www.likedaviddid.com where you will find a partnering link where special gifts can be given, or monthly reoccurring payments can be established through our tax-deductible ministry: “Like David Did.”

http://www.likedaviddid.com/partnering