Enter the “Prayer Grotto”
Praise the Lord. A pastor delegation (comprised of 35 pastors from many nations, their wives, and selected co-workers) visited us in-depth for five days (7th-11th November.) These pastors wished to come to understand the vision and development of 611. We did not show them our ministries, but instead we showed them our lives and our relationships – how we mould vessels, build up
our people and teams, and how we handle conflicts.
On the last evening of this visit, a number of these pastor couples shared that they had come to realize that relationship is the real foundation of the Church, and it begins with the couples’ relationship. Some of these pastors publicly resolved to repent and to start their couples’ relationship afresh. Others apologized to their co-workers, resolving to rebuild their relationships with love. What a moving moment it was!
I thank God for choosing myself and C-Mo, and for shaping us into vessels to hold and manifest His glory, so that together we can build up the church as the Tree of Life. As God has entrusted us the vision of planting Trees of Life everywhere in 52 years, our capacity is being enlarged, and we are facing greater challenges and trials before us. How shall we accomplish this vision?
A while back, we went to the United States to celebrate 30 years of the ministry of Dick Eastman, President of Every Home for Christ. In their institution, there are “Prayer Grottos” – rooms where intercessors can spend time praying for every nation. Throughout the years, many devoted Prayer Generals have been raised up intercede unceasingly for the States. Their prayers keep the spiritual atmosphere of the United States lively (compared with Europe, for example.) Because of the sin confession and the intercession of these Prayer Generals, God never gives up on the United States.
This journey has brought us to comprehend the significance of prayer. The vision of planting Trees of Life everywhere in 52 years shall begin with prayer! And to cultivate an atmosphere of prayer, our church coworkers shall take the lead. Last year, many of our co-workers have been heavily occupied with ministry. When Pastor Deborah prayed for our church, she received from God that we must Return and Rest: we must go deeper in waiting on the Lord, we must go deeper in prayer so that we can take on this greater mission.
Therefore, in 2019 the church shall go deeper in resting and prayer. As such, “prayer grottos” will be set up. There, all of us (especially full time co-workers) can pray for our own lives, for the church, for Hong Kong, and for our nation. As prayer warriors are raised up, prayer walls shall thus be built to guard our home. Moreover, Pastor Anna will move from Kingdom Revival Department to Prayer and Church Building Department to rekindle the fire of prayer on our altar. Thank God that Pastor Anna spent much time in prayer, looking to God during her period of recovery from her eye injury. I believe that as she returns to the prayer department, leading our co-workers and reorganizing 247, the passion for prayer shall be greatly stirred in us.
Dear brothers and sisters, let us all prepare ourselves to enter the “prayer grotto” and to connect deeper with God, so that we may enter the God-given Promised Land through prayer. • [2018.11.18]