Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

How do you respond to unpleasant circumstances or unkind people?

At noon on Wednesday May 2, four our us gathered in the downtown Culpeper prayer room to pray for one another and for the upcoming NDP events. This was my first time praying with Rev. Brad Hales. Wow, what a treat! Brad talked about getting back to the basics of life, namely rejoice, pray, and give thanks. He said that every morning he prays using 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Brad told us we are in the middle of revival in Culpeper; revival has already begun.

Then the very next day, Rev. Jacob Phillips preached an outstanding short message at the NDP event by the Culpeper Courthouse. His key scripture was “pray without ceasing.” Clearly, God wants prayer to be a lifestyle, not just something we do once a year, once a week, or even once a day. For prayer to become a habit, it takes practice and time.

For more than 20 years, Culpeper has hosted an annual National Day of Prayer event on the lawn of the Culpeper Courthouse. This year’s event was extraordinary. The greetings, prayers, music, and speaker were all exceptional. Lisa Lyons played the keyboard while singing two songs she wrote. Clearly, the Spirit of God moved in power.

Dr. Charlene Phillips, this year’s event coordinator, did a wonderful job planning the entire event. After Charlene’s warm welcome, Janette Smith sang a beautiful solo of “God Bless America” with musical accompaniment by Cheryl Jarvis.

Then we were blessed with personal spiritual greetings by:
1) Dr. David Cox, Superintendent of Culpeper County Public Schools
2) Steve Nixon, Culpeper County Board of Supervisors
3) Major Jim Branch, Culpeper County Sheriff’s Department

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for the way Your Spirit moved in power during the NDP event on the lawn by the Culpeper Courthouse. Thank you for the marketplace leaders who participated. Thank you for what You are doing in our community. Continue to turn up the spiritual temperature so that other communities around us ignite with Your fire. Thank You Jesus. Amen.

Link of the Day
Photos from NDP on lawn by Culpeper Courthouse

Blessings to rejoice always, pray with ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances!

“He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:17)

What is your role in praying for your community?

On Wednesday evening May 2, 2007, the day before the formal National Day of Prayer, Freedom youth rallies took place all across America. This NDP youth movement began about two years ago.

For Culpeper, this year’s youth prayer event was its third annual one. The Spirit of God moved in a profound way. Almost everyone actively participated. Many teens were jumping up and down during the worship songs. When the time came for individuals to pray, endless streams of heartfelt prayers poured forth from about 50 different people for more than 45 minutes as a humble offering before Almighty God.

This was the most profound NDP prayer service I ever attended. We literally were seeing hearts changed before us. The spiritual climate in schools in Culpeper is changing. God is doing something really, really BIG here!!!

Be sure to visit the Link of the Day to see photos from the 3 different NDP events that took place in Culpeper.

Prayer Power
Father, we thank You that we are in the middle of revival in Culpeper. We thank You for lighting a fire for Jesus in the hearts of young people. May they stand boldly for You as You fan the flames and spread the fire. May Culpeper be known as a community of passionate and sincere prayer. Thank You Jesus! We exalt Your holy and precious name. Amen!

Link of the Day
Photos of NDP events in Culpeper

Blessings for the schools in your community to be houses of prayer!