sacred space

last week, we ventured into a week of concentrated prayer in student ministries in which we challenged our student community to set up some sacred space in their week to connect with God.  uncertain of how the challenge would be received, we now stand on the other end of the week in awe of all the ways in which God's Spirit drew students, adult leaders, and parents into life-giving rhythms of contemplation and intercession in a new and fresh way.  

we set up a room in downtown holland on the corner of 9th and central (graciously donated to us by manna church) to help students engage in conversation with God in an interactive, multisensory fashion.  There were several different stations around the room which guided students into adoration, confession, intercession for their friends/community/world, and reflection/meditation.  all in all, we had about 60 different students sign up to pray for one-hour shifts through the week, and logged about 100 hours of prayer!

below are some quotes from students' reflections while immersed in prayer last week...

"Dear Lord, thank you so much for this amazing time with my small group.  I know you have worked in me and changed me today...thank you for this place that has drawn me near to you, and i pray that as i go back to my world that i won't morph back into how i was..."

"lately, God has been showing me that it is not all about me, it's about Him.  I get so caught up in life that I don't realize how much i have strayed away from him.  ... sometimes i forget about people in different parts of the world.  They struggle just as much, maybe more than me.  I ask God to reach out his outstretched hand to them!  I pray that God's light will reach to the ends of the earth, as well as near here!"

"My All in All- Well, this has been a cool ride.  I honestly feel better after confessing my sins to you.  I always pictured you as someone that would yell at me and then throw me aside.  Oh Lord, you've done so much for me...I love you so much..."

"Father, you are beautiful!  Your forever love for me, despite my frailty, overwhelms me.  You desire for me to love and cherish you, and therefore try to be like you in what i say, do, and think.  So here it is: thanks!!"

"Hidden

In the corner of our crazy world

Your cross stands

Though we push it away

Still it stands

Triumphant.

Papa, help me make it through this week, this day, this moment."

we desire to move students deep into the enviornment of prayer, and turn them loose into interactive participation with God in bringing his kingdom to birth in high schools and families all over the holland area, so i can only wonder at the effects of taking time to expose students to God's life, heart, and power!

"in christ we are set at God's side and lifted up to him and therefore to the place where decisions are made in the affairs of his government.  and this is what takes place in...Christian prayer... we find ourselves at the very heart of the mystery and purpose of all occurence."

(karl barth)

jared ayers

cwc student ministries