Praying for GYC 2010

Those of you were at GYC last year may remember a card that was past out on Friday night called "GYC Appeal to Movement". It was various commitments you could make to take GYC beyond just a annual conference experience. Among the list was this one: Organize a prayer group with friends/local church and pray for GYC 2010-No Turning Back-for a set date/number of days." I have decided to organize a group via the wonderful world web. This way many more people can be part of it.

My idea is to pick one meal one day a week until GYC to fast, and to use that time to pray for specific things for this years GYC. I would love for as many of you to be part of this as you can. The fasting is not mandatory, but for most of us is very possible. We are very blessed and giving up one meal is not that much of a sacrifice. If complete abstinence to too much for you, you could do a fruit or juice fast or something such as that. Fasting can go beyond food as well. Another commitment option on the card was "Fast-abstinence from food, forms of entertainment, certain specific events, or whatever for a set number of dates." I know for me my time on the internet can become a little too consuming. You may decide to cut back on your computer time and use that time to pray as well. The purpose of a fast is to refocus our eyes on God. Being still and listening for Him to speak. It is also (in the case of our effort) an outward expression of our commitment and seriousness towards a petition or goal. (i.e. God's Spirit and blessing poured out on GYC.)

So I would like to propose that whoever would like to be a part of this commitment would fast (in whatever form you feel led to) over lunch on Mondays from now until GYC. Since we have already past Monday this week I am going to do it on Friday. That will give us four days total. I know these times could interfere with plans you may have. Again this is voluntary and a personal issue. Pray and ask God what He would have you do. If you would like to do it on a different day or different meal that is fine. But the consistency of doing it all at the same time adds power and unity to the effort. I know it will be a great blessing for each of us! Prayer is powerful! We may never see the full results of our prayers in this life, but in heaven we will have many surprises to discover. Won't that be amazing?

I would also like to mention that even if you cannot /are not attending GYC you are still welcome to participate. Your prayers are just as valuable and needed. And even though you cannot be at GYC physically you will have played a major role in its success. I think sometimes we can tend to view GYC as a fun place to go and see friends and experience, and we forget the opposition it stirs up in the enemy's camp. But "when the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him." (Is 59:19) Our prayers can help this happen. 

The venue I am planning to use for this is my blog that will also automatically post on my Buzz. (If you don't have Buzz you can participate through my blog here.) Each Monday (with the exception of this week - it will be Friday) I will post a specific prayer focus and a promise to claim. If you have a promise or SOP quote you would like to share or if you would like to type out your prayer right on the buzz or blog, please do so. In this way we can encourage and inspire each other. You are also welcome to invite your friends and family to be a part of this. Or maybe you want to organize your own group in a different way. That is fine too.

If you are going to participate please let me know somehow. I would like to keep a list so we know how many of us are praying together. Your input and ideas are welcome and appreciated. If you like you can send me a private message at sharehisgems@gmail.com. I am looking forward to sharing this experience with each of you!

{P.S. I apologize for the lengthiness. I have been pondering this idea for a couple days and didn't realize  it would take so much to explain. Thank you for your patience!}