3 DAYS OF PRAYER
The preparation
As we were planning the retreat I was constantly reminded by the Lord, that prior to such event will be a spiritual battle going on and there was. But the greatest thing is that every time discouragement and desire to give up would come, I knew I should go on and trust the Lord, knowing that everything will be wonderful at the end. He is Faithful and He made it wonderful.
As we were planning the retreat I was constantly reminded by the Lord, that prior to such event will be a spiritual battle going on and there was. But the greatest thing is that every time discouragement and desire to give up would come, I knew I should go on and trust the Lord, knowing that everything will be wonderful at the end. He is Faithful and He made it wonderful.
P.S. Shopping was quite serious event too :-)
On our way
As we were preparing to leave after church to go to the camp site in Moscow region the dark clouds hid the blue sky and pretty heavy rain started, but before we left for the bus Dean encouraged us not to be surprised, but trust the Lord. We prayed for the good weather, because all of our sessions were supposed to be outside. The Lord answered and for me it was a special blessing to know that this event was His doing from the very beginning. (Look at the “3 days of prayer weathercast” here)
On our way
As we were preparing to leave after church to go to the camp site in Moscow region the dark clouds hid the blue sky and pretty heavy rain started, but before we left for the bus Dean encouraged us not to be surprised, but trust the Lord. We prayed for the good weather, because all of our sessions were supposed to be outside. The Lord answered and for me it was a special blessing to know that this event was His doing from the very beginning. (Look at the “3 days of prayer weathercast” here)
As we got on the bus, I asked people to start signing up for the 24-hour prayer. The schedule looked kind of blank scary, but by the time we arrived it was filled up completely.
On the way, I was thinking how to arrange the prayer room, because when we came to look at the facility the first time, the room, which we were going to use, looked more like an office with desks & chares, not very comfortable. BUT …now … as I walked in, I could not believe my eyes, the room was totally transformed, it looked just like I imagined it should look: quiet hideaway.
During the whole time, I had constant awareness that the Lord is everywhere ahead of me, I just followed, without even thinking about details, things were falling into their places and it was another special blessing for me, because there was no stress, no tiredness, but wonderful time of fellowship with Him and with the others. He also blessed me with a great helper, Marina, who served in many ways.
The start
As Dean mentioned the 24-hour prayer began at 1
0pm on Sunday and from this point on the room was never empty, at times there were even much more people than signed up. You had to see our kids: they were faithfully coming for their hour of prayer whether at 11:00am, or midnight, or even at 2:00am and sometimes they would stay longer. There are many testimonies that I will write about too.
On the way, I was thinking how to arrange the prayer room, because when we came to look at the facility the first time, the room, which we were going to use, looked more like an office with desks & chares, not very comfortable. BUT …now … as I walked in, I could not believe my eyes, the room was totally transformed, it looked just like I imagined it should look: quiet hideaway.
During the whole time, I had constant awareness that the Lord is everywhere ahead of me, I just followed, without even thinking about details, things were falling into their places and it was another special blessing for me, because there was no stress, no tiredness, but wonderful time of fellowship with Him and with the others. He also blessed me with a great helper, Marina, who served in many ways.
The start
As Dean mentioned the 24-hour prayer began at 1
0pm on Sunday and from this point on the room was never empty, at times there were even much more people than signed up. You had to see our kids: they were faithfully coming for their hour of prayer whether at 11:00am, or midnight, or even at 2:00am and sometimes they would stay longer. There are many testimonies that I will write about too.Our time together
As the 24-hour prayer was going, the rest of us gathered for times of worship and teaching, we also set a time for personal communion with the Lord.
As the 24-hour prayer was going, the rest of us gathered for times of worship and teaching, we also set a time for personal communion with the Lord.
Since we had kids and they are always ready for fun, so we had fun and adults joined them gladly. (Special video report & pictures from pastor’s room:-)
Monday evening we had a special SHashLiK dinner and great fellowship time (mosquitoes were very excited about our coming and gathered together around our bonfire :-) Dean is a professional ShashLik maker:-) so we had incredibly delicious dinner prepared by our pastor.
We also had a time of fellowship and worship.
The Lord’s doing
There is no doubt about that the time when we come into the Lord’s presence is the most valuable for our lives. This is where we find peace, joy, comfort as He touches our hearts by His Spirit. So it was for every person who would come to the prayer room and open up his or her heart before Him in quietness. Those who were weary and tired form the cares of life, received renewal and refreshment. Those who were embittered by circumstances, softened under gentle touch of the Lord. Those who were looking for answers found them. Those who just wanted to talk to Him and spend more time with Him received this opportunity.
However, most of us still wanted more time :-), because every full hour seemed like 30 minutes or even less. It never was too long it always was too short.
Testimonies
Marina shared that the first night she had a little plan in her mind and decided what she will be doing. Her time was at 4 am and she thought that she would read, take a shower and go to bed before the early rise. She even thought of what she was going to pray about. However, the Lord had a different plan. As Marina was trying to go to sleep as her flesh demanded rest, her spirit was awake and she decided to yield and to go pray. Soon she realized that the Lord was leading her in a different direction and she prayed for the people that she did not really think of before. It was the most amazing time and even thought Marina did not get any sleep, she did not feel even a little tired or drowsy. She was overjoyed being able to fellowship with the Lord over extended period of time, and to receive a special blessing communing with Him.
Ira said that before this retreat she was tired and felt that she is being consumed by the cares and worries of life. Her “wings” were pulled down (it is a Russian idiom) and she was under much pressure. This time of prayer helped her to renew strength and leave the heaviness in His hands, so, she can fly again :-).
Jacob shared that he had experienced a beautiful time with the Lord, even though he had different opportunities before to participate in various prayer meetings this setting was much different. His attitude toward prayer was changed, because while he was bringing his requests before the Lord, the Lord gave him a verse from 1 Samuel 23:4 when “David enquired of the Lord…and the Lord answered…” . For Jacob it became so much simpler to come to the Lord with confidence knowing that the Lord answers.
When Jacob came back to Moscow, his roommate told him that two of his friends that Jacob was praying for at the retreat were kidnapped and tortured. Jacob’s response to his roommate was “Do not worry. Let’s pray!” The next day his friends were released. Praise the Lord!!!
Denis expressed his experience in a simple phrase, but with a meaningful intonation “It was woooooooonderful!!!”
I can write much more, but I think most of the testimonies can be summed up by Denis’
statement: “It was woooooooonderful!!!” As for me, I am in agreement with those who say that we should get together for another time like this, so that we grow in our prayer life, draw closer to the Lord and learn more about Him and His character. Until then, my desire is to continue to grow, to draw closer to Him and to learn more about His character in my everyday life.
Praise the Lord for His wonderful work, for this time that we had with Him and with each other, for His listening ear, for His answers that already came, and yet to come, for His many blessings, that He pours out on us. Praise Him and thank Him for His amazing love!!!
And thank you for praying for this retreat. He has answered in an amazing way :-)
May the Lord continue to bless you as you seek His will and follow Him. Natasha
The Lord’s doing
There is no doubt about that the time when we come into the Lord’s presence is the most valuable for our lives. This is where we find peace, joy, comfort as He touches our hearts by His Spirit. So it was for every person who would come to the prayer room and open up his or her heart before Him in quietness. Those who were weary and tired form the cares of life, received renewal and refreshment. Those who were embittered by circumstances, softened under gentle touch of the Lord. Those who were looking for answers found them. Those who just wanted to talk to Him and spend more time with Him received this opportunity.
However, most of us still wanted more time :-), because every full hour seemed like 30 minutes or even less. It never was too long it always was too short.
Testimonies
Marina shared that the first night she had a little plan in her mind and decided what she will be doing. Her time was at 4 am and she thought that she would read, take a shower and go to bed before the early rise. She even thought of what she was going to pray about. However, the Lord had a different plan. As Marina was trying to go to sleep as her flesh demanded rest, her spirit was awake and she decided to yield and to go pray. Soon she realized that the Lord was leading her in a different direction and she prayed for the people that she did not really think of before. It was the most amazing time and even thought Marina did not get any sleep, she did not feel even a little tired or drowsy. She was overjoyed being able to fellowship with the Lord over extended period of time, and to receive a special blessing communing with Him.
Ira said that before this retreat she was tired and felt that she is being consumed by the cares and worries of life. Her “wings” were pulled down (it is a Russian idiom) and she was under much pressure. This time of prayer helped her to renew strength and leave the heaviness in His hands, so, she can fly again :-).
Jacob shared that he had experienced a beautiful time with the Lord, even though he had different opportunities before to participate in various prayer meetings this setting was much different. His attitude toward prayer was changed, because while he was bringing his requests before the Lord, the Lord gave him a verse from 1 Samuel 23:4 when “David enquired of the Lord…and the Lord answered…” . For Jacob it became so much simpler to come to the Lord with confidence knowing that the Lord answers.
When Jacob came back to Moscow, his roommate told him that two of his friends that Jacob was praying for at the retreat were kidnapped and tortured. Jacob’s response to his roommate was “Do not worry. Let’s pray!” The next day his friends were released. Praise the Lord!!!
Denis expressed his experience in a simple phrase, but with a meaningful intonation “It was woooooooonderful!!!”
I can write much more, but I think most of the testimonies can be summed up by Denis’
statement: “It was woooooooonderful!!!” As for me, I am in agreement with those who say that we should get together for another time like this, so that we grow in our prayer life, draw closer to the Lord and learn more about Him and His character. Until then, my desire is to continue to grow, to draw closer to Him and to learn more about His character in my everyday life.Praise the Lord for His wonderful work, for this time that we had with Him and with each other, for His listening ear, for His answers that already came, and yet to come, for His many blessings, that He pours out on us. Praise Him and thank Him for His amazing love!!!
And thank you for praying for this retreat. He has answered in an amazing way :-)
May the Lord continue to bless you as you seek His will and follow Him. Natasha
3 comments:
Natashechka I ochen poradovalas i vosslavila gospoda za vash retreat! Udivitelno videt kak vse rastut - 1,5 goda nazad kogda nachalis molitvenye sobraniya po pyatnitsam - pomnish? a teper 224 hours of prayer! Praise the Lord! Can't wait to see you all!
Alyona
Mu tebia gdem! Vozvrawaisia skoree:-)
Cpassibo, Natachinka
Tvoi brat Karlusha iz Ljukcemburga
cmj_kme@vonet.lu
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