IGNITE July 2023
Dear Prayer Igniters : I’m curious if some of you who read our IGNITE letters ever feel as if you may be in a school of prayer. In this new season, which God is opening before us, one of the first invitations I received was from our mile-away neighbor— Brian Guenther!
Praising the Lord for Morning Prayer Walks and Brian Guenther!
Dr. Brian Guenther, President of the San Marcos Academy, asked us to consider prayerfully joining their board of directors.
Over the past six weeks, we’ve begun to prayer walk the 220-acre property of the Academy. And during those times, we’ve discussed between us and the Lord, asking, ‘How do we raise the culture of prayer in every constituency of the Academy?’
A Prayer Celebration at The Well
On Sunday, July 2nd, our son and Pastor, Chris, gave me my first opportunity to bring a prayer message at The Well. I began with Matthew 6:5-15 as my text which includes the Lord’s prayer.
The Lord led us in 3 waves of worship, waiting in silence, and the Word at The Well. And the experience was all interlaced with many voices in prayer from His children of all ages.
Brian made his first visit to The Well that morning, and in a unique kind of way, I felt like a student being watched by the Headmaster in the school of prayer.
And on Tuesday, July 4th, as Brian and I prayer-walked the campus, the Holy Spirit prompted me to ask: “Have you ever considered an actual “school of prayer” curriculum for the Academy?”
Brian’s immediate response was: “God is calling us to it.”
Some of you may remember that around 2010, I, and a founding IPA Director/longtime friend, Hank Marion, co-hosted a radio program. We co-hosted for three years on a program called— “Prayer on the Air” on American Family Radio in Houston. Back then, I remember our prayers and discussions surrounding an online school of prayer. And today, I sense a release from the Lord as He’s bringing us into this new season now!
With prayerful consideration, we’ve begun taking steps toward launching an online school of prayer.
Yet, this time, we have all kinds of significantly advanced technology and distribution channels for the school of prayer. Please pray with us for God’s wisdom as we stand upon the ramparts and watch what He says to us. And as He speaks, we’ll begin writing down the vision on tablets, so that those who read it, and join the school of prayer, can run with it. Habakkuk 2:1-3
Let us become reproducing Prayer Igniters to help grow the glorious kingdom of our God.
Dealing with Dots of Depression
Over the past two weeks of July, we’ve begun slowly, prayerfully, and strategically engaging relationally between Igniting Prayer Action at The Well and the San Marcos Academy. Yet, on this very morning, I found myself facing fringes of depression for the third time. And quite honestly, I was afraid.
Oh, sweet Saints, if you struggle with depression, I deeply encourage you to embrace transparent friendships with one or two people. And if you are married, I sincerely pray that you’ll develop and/or maintain a consistent prayer life with your spouse. Prayer, open transparency, and feeding on God’s word are all vital to your overall Spiritual, social, physical, and emotional well-being.
I praise God for my 6:30 AM prayer walks with Brian, who prayed the armor of God over us from Ephesians 6:10-19. We then followed with another walk/talk/prayer time with my son and pastor Chris.
Words of wisdom from my son were: “Dad, turn from fear of depression and embrace it, asking God: “Lord, what do You want to teach me, here? What am I saying yes to instead of wait or no?”
Monday Meet-ups at The Millar’s
My beautiful precious bride and I enjoy engaging our hearts with young married couples. So, we had our 2nd Monday Meet-up at the Millar’s with this precious couple— Nolan and Soleil. While helping prepare our beef broccoli stir fry, we shared our love stories with laughter, tears, dinner, and friendship.
And all the while, we engaged with our Father’s heart in multiple parts of our conversations. Nancy and Soleil had an hour together while Nolan and I cleaned the kitchen. And in the end, the Holy Spirit cleaned all our hearts!
God loves cheerful givers!
“Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving].” 2 Corinthians 9:7 [AMPC]
“He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.” Prov. 22:9 [NKJV]
Thank You for Supporting IPA
Ask someone how you can pray for them today, tomorrow, and every day! We love you! 😘 😍
— Colin and Nancy
2 Responses
Praise the Lord!
I really enjoyed this Colin, thank you so much for sharing!