Cry for Awakening break through…. Wednesday, 9.12.07
The great revivalist and preacher R.A. Torrey wrote: “There have been revivals without much preaching; there have been revivals with absolutely no organization; but there has never been a mighty revival without mighty praying.”
Wednesday, Sept. 12 something significant happened for the Cry for Awakening; we prayed together for the first time in a historically African American church for revival. I wonder if you have been gripped like I have by just how special this prayer gathering was? Perhaps you have forgotten that this year represents the 40th year anniversary of the Newark Riots. Only 40 years ago racial tension, and bigotry were the order of the day. Yet, even 40 years later we, as Christians have still not been able to see the kind of racial healing that ought to be characteristic of people of The Way.
But, I believe we have taken a step that if we follow it will lead us to something so beautiful, and honoring to Jesus it will blow our minds! Wednesday night was a tender and sweet time in the presence of Jesus. It was a time of raising a voice together for Jesus to come and revive His people. God was making us one people, with one heart for Him. I would’t have missed the chance to see and experience that for anything. Living Water was packed, and the atmosphere was charged with sincere intensity in crying out for God to act and to move on behalf of His people. Pastor Faison (Living Water) chose 2 Chronicles 7:14 around which to build the prayer gathering. The music was powerful and full of faith. By the conclusion of the night almost everyone in the sanctuary was leaping, and praising and rejoicing in what the Lord had done among us that night.
If you are young, or if you were raised in an area of the country where you didn’t have much experience with racial tension you may not see just how dramatic Wednesday evening was for the Cry for Awakening. But as someone who was alive when their was still racial segregation (”colored” bathrooms, water fountains, etc) I was so grateful that God has moved the CFA in this direction. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. This is what God wants to do in Essex County. He wants to bring His people together for the sake of the lost, the prodigal and for the glory of Jesus. For that to happen there must be a coming together of many nations, tribes and tongues. We will need to see our Latino brothers and sisters, our Asian brothers and sisters, as well as many others. However, in an area with the history of Essex County I believe it must begin with black and white Christians coming together for the purpose of unified, public prayer for revival. Wednesday night was our pebble in the lake. Wednesday night we saw reverberations that I believe are only a beginning.
It is onward to Newark, and Irvington, and Orange, and many other communities in Essex County where we desperately want to act as a catylist for others to come together for the purpose of seeking God. I received word just a day ago that there is a new prayer gathering in Rutherford, NJ. This is the direct fruit of the Cry for Awakening. A group of pastor’s in that community began meeting this past week. Praise the Lord! Thursday morning I met with the Area Director for InterVarsity, a Latino woman with a heart on fire for Jesus and a passion for prayer. I believe that God is going to use her to help us bring in Latino brothers and sisters to the Cry for Awakening.
I’m also thrilled to hear of a new woman’s prayer meeting at Lamb. There are now 5 different weekly prayer meetings taking place at the church. What a blessing. The fruit is starting to manifest as well. I am hearing stories of people experiencing new intensity for prayer, for the scriptures, for worship and for loving one another. God is on the move. But it isn’t enough that just LOG experiences awakening. My dream (and I know it isn’t just mine) is to see churches in Belleville, Bloomfield, Caldwell,Cedar Grove,East Orange, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Irvington, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Montclair, Newark, North Caldwell, Nutley, Orange, Roseland, South Orange, Verona, West Caldwell, and West Orange all touched by the Holy Spirit. There are nearly 800,000 people in Essex County. Word has it there are 800 churches in Newark alone. It is easy to imagine that there are probably 1000 or more churches in this county. Is it to big a dream to believe God for an awakening that will touch every single believing church in this county? It happened in Wales in 1904. Why can’t it happen here?
September 14th, 2007 at 10:33 pm
What if we had a public street prayer meeting for one of these Cry for Awakening times? My neighborhood would be a nice place. Can you imagine 100 people on the street crying out with that same intensity?!
September 16th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
I love the idea of a public street gathering (or park gathering). I am committed to a more visible and public presence as a believer in the oranges. Want to come to Living Water next Friday night? We are going to meet there to begin walking through Dodd town praying for souls and talking with the people there. I’ll give you more details as you wish.
September 18th, 2007 at 10:41 am
I really loved the “Cry for Awakening” at the Living Water church. The congregation was so vibrant in their prayers and song. I felt real love among the worshipers and hope this is the beginning of the revival for all church’s all across America.
As I was told recently, “Prayer is where the action is”. Let’s keep those prayers vibrant for the Lord.