Revival Coming to Rolla!!!!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! 

God is so faithful!  Back in December of 2004 when He moved on me to organize a 24 hour prayer day at the BSU in Rolla, I never would've guessed I'd find myself back in Rolla doing 24/7 intercessory worship!  Basically, my previous job opportunity didn't work out and though I'd had another interview, I was free at the time to come to Rolla and sow into what I believe God is stirring up here.  I'm pretty much leading worship sets 8-10am Friday through Wednesday, and also last night I did a second set 9-11pm.  It is a blessing for me to see others hear the whispers of the Lord and raise up intercessors to press in for spiritual breakthrough for Rolla as a town and the Missouri S&T campus!  The prayer meetings are thin and weak but the Lord shows Himself strong when weak and broken people say YES to him in obedience!

I just heard last night there is a group of people who desire to raise up a house of prayer in Rolla.  Wow.

This has such an impact on me, though I haven't lived in Rolla for five years, because of the two times in my life that I heard the internal audible voice of the Lord, one of them was about Rolla! 

In 2002 I was in Costa Rica serving at an orphanage, and it was a Sunday afternoon.  I was fasting during lunch and laying on my bed praying.  The Holy Spirit came and filled me and rested on me in an amazing way I have never felt since.  There are no words to describe how amazing it felt, like a blanket of warmth completely surrounding me but also within me.  It was like an orangey heat and a flower blooming...there really aren't words!!! I was so at peace and filled with the love of God.  My natural mind reacted almost on its own, "God is here!  Quick, ask Him something!"  I still think that's funny. But more strange is I found myself whispering, "When is it coming?  Lord, when is revival coming to Rolla?" And I heard the intonation of these words, though I don't believe it was out loud, "When you cover it in prayer."  I just rested in His presence and enjoyed.  Then I though I felt it start to lift and I found myself asking, "When?  When is it coming?"  And again He said, "When you cover it in prayer."  THREE TIMES this dialogue took place!  I don't know why I had to ask again and again, but I did and He answered. 

Since then I've prayed and thought about this many times.  What exactly does it mean to "cover it in prayer?" The only thing that ever seemed to really be a complete covering was praying all the time, praying without ceasing, praying night and day.  And I didn't get a sense that the "you" meant just me, but a corporate "You," the Church.

So...that was the summer after my sophomore year of college.  By the time I was about to graduate in December of 2004, two and a half years later, I had gradually felt led that before I left Rolla, I needed to organize a 24/7 prayer day, just to be faithful to the word of the Lord.  The Lord blessed my non-administratively gifted efforts over a three week span and we managed to have worship leaders and bands and intercessors come together at the Baptist Student Union for an entire 24 hour period.

I actually felt led to stay in Rolla seven months after graduating.  Finally I moved on.  Nothing much happened, but oh, well, at least I was obedient. :)

And now, to be "randomly" connected to my friend who is organizing it at a time when I just "happened" to be free (I have two interviews later this week in Kansas City so it is unlikely I would've been free later in the year, or even this month)...I'm just thankful to be caught back in the swirl of what I believe God is preparing to do in this area!

In addition to worship and prayer, they are hosting prayer walks every day from 4:30-5:30pm and plan to have a prayer booth in the middle of campus on the opening day of the St. Pat's celebrations this Wednesday.  I can't wait!

On a side note, please pray for wisdom as I contemplate several different avenues of work and IHOP and living arrangements in Kansas City, and for favor in my interviews.  One is the second interview with a non-profit transitional home as the residential manager.  They help young people 17-20 learn to live independently and move ahead in education, whether getting their G.E.D. or trade school or college.  Many have aged out of foster care and a few are single young mothers.  The position involves checking on the young adults nights and weekends, some case management, and offers an apartment and utilities, NO salary.  And its in Independence, a half hour drive from IHOP.  The other position is near IHOP teaching Spanish to 2-6  year olds full time. 

Technically, I could do both, but as I was hoping to just get a part time job and have more time for the prayer room and ministry, or classes, I would probably prefer not to be so busy.  Or I could hit it hard for six months and really save up and then do an internship...

There is also a great living opportunity near IHOP with two amazing Christian girls...very tempting...