Psalm 42:5a
Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,

Have you ever been so desperate for a move of God in your life that you are willing to do whatever it takes to see it? Have you ever felt so deeply moved by a story of breakthrough that you couldn't help but want that for your life?

On January 8th, 2022, I wrote in my journal, "I've had this longing in my heart and spirit. A desire that as we approach 21 days of prayer and fasting, I don't want this to pass by without being marked by God in a way that brings me closer to Him." 
I remember exactly where I was in the Milford Campus Auditorium as I prayed for God to move in a mighty way in my life. I was weary from holding onto the pain of the past. I was weak from constantly replaying the words of others over my life. I was tired of juggling the opinions of people. 

At that point in my life, I had never really known what praying boldly looked like. Who am I to come to God with a bold statement or a need, expecting something from Him? How do I pray for God to reveal my purpose in this season? How do I pray for deliverance from an impossible circumstance? How do I come to God and ask for what I need if I don't even know what I need

It was almost as if God knew that I needed a lesson in prayer because, on the first day of 21 Days of Prayer, Pastor Kenneth walked us through the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6. Finally, someone showed me how Jesus modeled prayer and how He modeled it so that anyone could follow His example. This completely changed how I approached God in the days to follow. 

What I had to learn about prayer was that prayer was my response to a longing that God placed within me to commune with Him. God cares about me so deeply that before I was even born, He placed the desire in me to grow close to Him. I finally realized that prayer didn't require an elaborate or eloquent vocabulary or a perfectly crafted dialogue. It didn't require a bible to be open, with a candle lit and a coffee in hand. It didn't require a dire situation or a mountaintop high. God cared for me so deeply that He just wanted me to be with Him. To spend time with Him. It only required me. To be honest, to simply come. So that is what I did. 

I have learned that how I approach God says a lot about the type of Father I think He is. But regardless of what I may think, the Bible tells me the truth about the type of Father He is. He is compassionate, kind, faithful, merciful, forgiving, sovereign, and ever-present. 

Those 21 days were a catalyst for the year to come. I prayed expectantly. I worshipped with confidence in who I knew God was. I showed up daily with the intent to pursue God more than I had the days before.

I remember exactly where I was in the Milford Campus Auditorium as I thanked God for moving in a mighty way in my life. God restored my joy. God renewed my purpose. God delivered me from my distress. 

21 Days of Prayer is an opportunity to come and learn how to cast your burdens and troubles onto the Lord. 

21 Days of Prayer is an environment where you can receive refreshment for your soul and hope for your future. 

21 Days of Prayer is a commitment that could change your life from this day forward

So I will ask you again; Have you ever been so desperate for a move of God in your life that you are willing to do whatever it takes to see it? Have you ever felt so deeply moved by a story of breakthrough that you couldn't help but want that for your life?

Psalm 42:5b
For I will yet praise him, 
my Savior and my God.