Ten prayer meetings kick off tomorrow

The rocky mountain region in InterVarsity (that’s the region Northern Arizona University is in) has a rich history of Daily Prayer Meetings, students gathering together regularly to pray for each other, the campus, and the world.  In fact, there was a point where an InterVarsity chapter wasn’t allowed to have an InterVarsity chapter unless they had a daily prayer meeting.

Tomorrow we kick-off ten prayer meetings a week, all student led with my role of coaching these student leaders in how to lead others in prayer. Students will meet Monday through Friday half an hour at a time to worship, pray for the curious, and for the campus.

A number of these students have told me that they have trouble praying out loud with other people.  In other words, this is a big step for them.

These students will be able to take this ministry of prayer to their local churches when they graduate, further developing a culture of prayer in the body of Christ.

Foundations in Scripture video

Investing in forever

“All money stored in retirement funds, savings, insurance policies, real estate, and personal possessions will become eternally useless the moment Christ returns. If the countless billions of dollars now invested in earthly accounts were freed up and poured into helping the needy and fulfilling the Great Commission, what eternal impact might result?” Randy Alcorn

Meeting God in the mundane

Thank You, Lord, that You reveal Yourself in the everyday.  It’s not just in buildings on a certain day of the week.  Every morning, the sun rising speaks of your faithfulness.  Every evening, the stars sing of Your glory.

Let us see that which is unseen

The “Hall of Faith” in the book of Hebrews introduces us to saints of old, who lived in such a way that the world was not worthy of them.

They were “longing for a better country – a heavenly one,” “looking forward to a city whose architect and builder is God,” and called “strangers and foreigners on earth.”

May we live this way, looking forward to our Home….because we are not long here.

Pictures from our prayer room at NAU

Embracing Kingdom practices

“Fasting is denying ourselves the pleasure of eating in order to gain pleasure in God. Giving is denying the possession of riches to gain possessions from God. Prayer is denying our own power in order to gain power from God.” Randy Alcorn

Not your typical job

Today marks the beginning of finals week and the end of fall semester for students at NAU.  As an IV staff worker doing campus ministry, my semester is coming to a close, too.

Over the past week, I’ve gone to at least five parties celebrating Christmas and the conclusion of the semester.  And it hit me: campus ministry is not the typical job.

How many other jobs include the description of “hanging out to build trust in relationships” or “late night prayer sessions” or “team meetings to dream about how to reach students with the Good News on campus”?

Mine does.  And I love it.  I’m wired for a role like this.

So I wanted to say thank you.  Thank you to my donors/prayer partners who make up the behind the scenes team that enables me to be on campus spreading the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.  I’m privileged to partner with you in my “not so typical job.”

Morning prayer

Thank You, Lord, that You use the foolish things to confound the wise, the weak things to shame the strong, so that no one may boast before You.

Who is like You, oh Lord?

The heavens declare Your glory, for You alone are the Holy One, You alone are God.

Psalm 145

I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.

Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.

One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.

They speak of the glorious splendor or your majesty -
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

They tell of the power of your awesome works -
and I will proclaim your great deeds.

They celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.

The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.

All your works praise you, Lord;
your faithful people extol you.

They tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,

so that all people may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures through all generations.

The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises
and faithful in all he does.

The Lord upholds all who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.

You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

The Lord is righteous in all his ways
and faithful in all he does.

The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.

He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.

The Lord watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.

My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever.

My name is Brian Sun, the InterVarsity Staff Worker behind Campus Missionary Journal. My vision is to develop a culture of prayer, make disciples, and reach the yet-to-be-found.