Bridging the Gap Presents…
Prayer Updates

Summer Prayer Update

Dear MN prayer warrior!  The following is prayer update published by the Bridging the Gap prayer team.  Our goal is to facilitate MN women encouraging MN women as we pray together for our families, communities and state. 

Reflections from the Desert

(by Jolene Cassellius, BTG Prayer Advisor)

This prayer update is long overdue.  I am going to attribute the delay to some recent wanderings in the desert…

The end of March, I was speaking to a group of over 200 student leaders.  With great passion, I prophesied that many of them would experience a desert this summer, a time of testing in preparation for a new season of ministry.  Little did I realize that the words I spoke would prove true for my own life.

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil...”

Matthew 4:1

“I am so sad.  I am just so sad.”  Those are the words I have used many times this month to express what I have been feeling.  Since spring, my faith and joy have undergone a severe beating.  Broken, dry and empty, I have been plagued by fears, cynicism and doubt.  My prayer life has been in shambles as I have wrestled with, and at times resented, God’s will, anointing and sovereignty (hence the difficulty in writing a prayer update!).  The past few weeks, I have gotten desperate.  What to do?  I came to the desert.

“Therefore, I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her.  There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor (trouble) a door of hope…”  Hosea 2:14-15

Several years ago, after suffering a panic attack, God spoke clearly to me that I was to have regular desert days.  Since then, I try every month or six weeks to take one or two “desert days,” time away from the noise, stress, and pressures of life to meet with my Father.  So, here I am.  It has been two days and the life is seeping back into my soul.  God has faithfully shown me the unforgiveness, resentment, selfishness and pride in my life that have distanced me from His presence.  He has reminded me of His unfailing love, His desire for intimacy with me and that peace and joy come through trust, not control.  As I prepare to return to the challenges of life, the dryness and emptiness I felt are slowly fading in response to my repentance, surrender and acceptance of His grace.  The brokenness…well, it is still there, but maybe that is the way it is meant to be…may it allow room for the power of His Spirit to go with me as I return from this desert place…

“Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit…”  Luke 4:14

BTG Prayer Team

BTG’s Spa for the Soul Retreat is coming up on October 5-6, 2007 in Alexandria.  The prayer team will be serving as altar workers and prayer counselors after the workshops and services.  If you would like to help, please let me know!  If you have served on the prayer team before, I just need to know that you are available and willing to help.  If you have not served on a conference or retreat prayer team previously, please fill out the application.  All prayer team members must be available for a short training at noon on Friday at the retreat center.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me (Jolene) at jacassel@northcentral.edu

Prayer Request

Judy Wolf has faithfully served with the BTG prayer team for many years in various capacities, including leading Thursday prayer at the district office.  Her husband, Hap, passed away last week.  Please keep her and her family in your prayers during this time!

If you would like to send Judy a card, her address is:  Judy Wolf, 6150 Lamar Avenue South, Cottage Grove, MN  55016

Book Recommendation

Praying the Bible: The Book of Prayers, by Wesley and Stacey Campbell, published by Regal Books in 2002.

The Book of Prayers will change your prayer life for eternity!  And it will change you for eternity—and those for whom you pray.  Jesus clearly instructs us to prayer.  Upon request, He gave an example of how to pray by praying the Word.  The concept of praying the Scriptures is not new.  The Shema “Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is one” was taught to ancient Hebrew children virtually as they learned to speak.  We find throughout the Word examples of others who in their passionate pursuit of God’s presence prayed the scriptural prayers of others before them.  Wesley and Stacey Campbell are putting into your hands a powerful prayer tool, what they call the “moder-day application of an ancient tradition.”  In chronological order, from Theophanies to Revelation, The Book of Prayers will set you on the pathway that leads to intimate relationship with the One who hears and answers every prayer.”  (Review by Tommy Tenney)

The Book of Prayers is the prayer devotional you have been waiting for.  Every church and every prayer room should have plenty of copies…”  (From Foreward by Mike Bickle).

Call for Resources

If you have information you would like to share regarding good prayer books, resources, tips, or conferences and events please send them to Jolene at jacassel@northcentral.edu