Very often, God does things that surprise and confuse me. Sometimes these things are small and seemingly inconsequential to anyone else – a change of plan, a chance meeting etc. I am thankful for those things.
Sometimes the things God does are much bigger. Sometimes I am left feeling quite shellshocked, wondering at the impact these things will have. Sometimes I think that I should have seen these things coming.
This weekend, at The Gathering in Swanwick, there have been some of those big surprises. Some of those moments when I’ve been afraid to speak out the things I think God is saying, aware of the consequences for me personally, and for the church I belong to.
Two years ago, at the equivalent prayer gathering we held, God gave me a picture of a big bridge that we had been building. It was impressive, it spanned a deep ravine, we were proud of it. In the picture I was following a deer, which led me to look at this place. As I looked, I noticed he was crying as he gazed at the bridge. As the picture went on and the deer looked to me, I knew that instead of bridging the gap, God wanted us to jump into the ravine, to leap into the unknown, to turn from building something that looked good, and to dive deeper into His will. I remember standing sharing this picture, almost in tears, feeling astounded and uncomfortable.
There have been a number of times since then which have been ravine moments. Moments when we have had to chose an uncertain leap over a gleaming bridge. This weekend God called us to another of these.
Seven years ago, the Salvation Army embarked on a year of unbroken, 24-7 prayer. I’m told it was awesome and amazing. Every day I work amongst and hear about some of the fruits of that year. Over the past six months I have had this uncomfortable sense that the 24-7/SA story wasn’t over… that God had more for us to do.
When I went to Seville for the 24-7 Feast, I sat with others, listening intently as the movement was called back to prayer – you can read all about that here: http://www.24-7prayer.com/cm/content/781
I had no idea that only three short months later, I would be reeling as our denomination received a similar call. I had no idea that I would have to falteringly utter the sentance, “Erm… I think it’s about 24-7“.
There was the same emotion in my voice as when I shared the ravine picture. The same awareness that what I was saying would be personally costly, that it would spoil my neat plans for the couple of years stretching in front of us. There was also a beating, burning passion and excitment. The same awe that God is asking us to take up this story, and that He and we will be writing a new chapter in it. The same quiet, growing thrill as I anticipated the difference that prayer will continue to make in corps, centres and communities across the uk.
I don’t know what this new phase of 24-7 prayer in the Salvation Army will look like. It feels a bit like God has given us a picture torn from a colouring book – waiting to be filled in and brought alive with colour. Full of potential. I am excited by the clutch of churches who have already committed to joining us in this adventure.
I also can’t wait to hear the stories that are filtering in from others who were at The Gathering, to hear what God has been saying to them and how this will impact their localities. I want to hear the dreams and visions He is whispering to his people at this time. Please share them with us – my email is vicki.adams@salvationarmy.org.uk
The leaflet for The Gathering talked about the spiritual significance of the gatherings of the tribes in the Old Testament. It said that God always did big things and asked for big commitments at these times. We found this to be true as we fought through the driving rain and gathered at Swanwick this weekend, as we came together, worshipped and interceded in unity.
My prayer is that we will hear and heed the call. That we will seek first His face, and join with Him joyfully in this new chapter of the adventure. My prayer is that, accross the uk, revolutionaries will be dreaming and scheming again, waking up to the whisper of His voice. And that we will see transformation as a result.
