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(Sam Tillery)
Welcome to City Reach Prayer. Let's
just start off with a time of thanksgiving in prayer.
(Prayer)
(Sam Tillery)
I am going to say one thing and then
I am going to turn it over to Harry, and Harry, you
have a map of the park set up for City Kids Festival
don't you? Oh, Alice from the Redwood Gospel Mission
does and we will get to that shortly, but I want to
share something with you first.
I parked over there and I noticed a
man sitting on his front porch. I got out of my truck
and started to walk over here, and then I thought, "I'm
going to go over there and talk to him." I turned
around and walked over to him and said, " A number
of us are going to be gathering from different churches
to pray about what happens in the park here.
You live here don't you?" He said,
"yes." I then asked him, "What are some
of the needs and challenges here in the park?"
"I don't know", he said. I asked him if there
was crime and what some of the issues were. He said,
"well, actually it's gotten a lot better."
I said, "Oh yeah, well do you know why that is?"
He said, "Well, the police are patrolling it more."
I then went on to tell him that that would help, but
by him telling me that it has gotten a lot better was
an answer to our prayers. Because we have been coming
here at least once a year, praying in this park for
God's peace and His purposes to come. You are now telling
me that you as a neighbor have noticed a difference
in this park and that is why I am heading over to the
park now. Praise God.
How do we measure that? I don't know.
I do know that we come to this location and we pray
and then we as the united body of Christ have gathered
here in the City Kids Festival to proclaim Christ. People
have come to know Christ in this park purposely through
the united body of Christ. Although there may be other
kinds of activities happening, a neighbor is saying
that the complexion is changing, so not only have we
prayed here. We have taken posession at least that one
day out of the year to say that it belongs to God. We
need to be consistent and persistant in our presence
in the body of Christ and we can sustain these things
as we labor together. However that might encourage you,
that testimony of the neighbor who didn't know about
anything that we have been doing, but now he does and
he may put two and two together, at any rate, to God
be the glory.
(Harry Skandera)
I think for our theme tonight, what
I would like us to think about as we pray is, well,
you know that this park has two bridges in it.
What do we think of when we think of
a bridge? (connection, crossing over)
A bridge is meant to connect things
that are separated. There are two ways that that happens.
I think that there is a bridge needed when things are
divided. When people have had offense against each other,
or for whatever reason there is an open wound, but the
the other one is that there is simply that there is
a space and it needs to be bridged. When I think of
City Kids, that is one of the things that I want to
pray into tonight. We are trying to bridge a gap. We
talked about the generation gap. We are going to be
praying into an event, yes, but the reality is that
we are going to be praying into lives and destiny's
that could be changed forever in what happens at this
event. We want to pray into the pragmatic and practical
things of this event. We are going to ask Jeff Gillman
in just a minute to give us a few details about the
City Kids Fest, so we can actually pray specifically
for specific things, but we want to keep in the back
of our minds that God is looking at this from a eternal
perspective. We don't have quite that perspective, but
part of the reason that we come together and pray together,
is to get His perspective, because we're not only talking
to Him, but we are listening to His heart and what He
thinks of this place.
What I would like us to focus on those
two things here tonight. We do pray specifically for
this event, it's a focus, but there is something ongoing
that is occurring in our city and county that is a part
of this ongoing thing and so are you.
Jeff, is there something you can share
with us a little bit about City Kids Fest? Not only
some of the particular things that are happening, but
some of the needs.
(Jeff Gillman)
I will probably let Alice share some
of those specifics. I am a painter that paints with
big brushes. I am a roller painter and Alice is a detail
painter.
One of the things that I am most excited
about is the large number of churches that are doing
booths. You were talking about a bridge, and for me
that's been the theme for the whole ministry, this event
being a bridge.
In the past we have looked at outreach
as, well, if I can use the Hebrew word Sedek, which
means an act of righteousness. Reaching out, giving
to and ministering to the children, the needy or whoever
we are dealing with. I believe that this City Kids Fest
is much more bridge related in the sense that every
booth that is going to be represented by churches is
going to have information about ongoing ministries that
children can be involved in. After school tutoring,
basketball programs, kids zone, Royal Rangers, Awana
and various other kinds of programs that are happening.
About 20 of the booths that will be there will have
ongoing ministries.
 It
becomes for the children a bridge, because hundreds
of them are going to make decisions for Christ right
over there and then the bridge is the body of Christ
coming and saying, "Ok, here is the next opportunity,
here is the next step", and providing information.
A lot of these folks will be taking names and following
up and calling the kids with various methods, so for
me that is the thing that I would like to pray into
the most, that it would be a bridge into the kingdom
for them.
(Harry Skandera)
Ok, so everyone get the markers in
your mind of where and what you would like to pray into
in just a minute.
First, I would like us to hear from
Alice from the Redwood Gospel Mission and anything that
she would like to share about this event.
(Alice Lowe)
I am super thankful and excited about
the growth from last year to this year and the vision.
It really is like the different parts of the body of
Christ all working together. We do have special needs,
I would like to just mention, one of the top things
in this event is giving kids hair cuts. It seems like
a small thing, but it's an amazing service and way to
reach out and help in a tangeable way. We did over 133
haircuts last year and we are really short on people
to actually cut hair. If anyone knows people who might
be able to come and do that, please send them my way
and I will get them plugged in with the right space.
Pray for provision for the various
groups that are really stepping up in faith to do various
booths, that bottles of water would be provided, about
4,000. Our goal is to give backpacks with school supplies
to 2,000 children, so that is always a huge need. We
have about 15 barrels out to collect backpack donations.
I am really grateful for other organizations
like the Polly Class foundation who is providing ID
kits to put in each of the packs. The Red Cross is providing
emergency kits to put in them and as they are preparing
those, they are realizing what 2,000 is and the huge
potential it has to impact families. It's huge!
(Harry Skandera)
Thank you. Ok, before we can go on,
we need to break up into small groups. You may want
to stand here on the bridge, you may want to go over
to where the tent of witness will be. This is like the
feast of Tents. We have over 40 tabernacles that will
be set up here that day. There will be over 30 ministries
represented here.
(Alice Lowe, Jeff Gillman and Sam Tillery
are giving an overall idea of where the different ministries
will be located)
There are start up ministries involved,
such as "The Foundry", connected with North
Bay Christian Faith Center and they will be reaching
out to middle school and older kids who are on the street
and serving nacho's. There are churches from Petaluma
and Rohnert Park participating, which is awesome.
(Sam Tillery)
One of the things to keep in mind is
that we are growing each year to do this better, but
there is an exit strategy in the sense that this is
a place where people can connect with local ministries
where they can get followed up with or get into programs
and such. So, we are really praying that people will
connect with, that they would take literature that is
provided for them and connect where there will be some
real help for them, so that it isn't just about the
day. That this would be a platform to proclaim the Gospel
and carry on much further than just that day.
I also just want to remind you that
City Kids Festival was started as our responce as the
Pastors alliance and united churches to the Gay rights
parade. Most cities know churches for what they are
against and not what they are for. Instead of reacting
and going, "that's all bad", and this and
that, we decided to step up and just stepping into what
we are for. We are for families, we are for children,
and begin to bless and proclaim by consistantly being
an example. We are not announcing that, it's just that
our presence has been more reactionary as the body of
Christ and the community has no clue as to what we are
for. We often take stands of issues and people do not
connect it with Christ. We lose sight of the fact that
we need to be administering God's love and demonstrating
it as the salt and light, so really that is what this
is. We are being the light and salt and it makes them
more thirsty to inquire about things. We are not thrusting
it onto them, we are simply providing it, so keep this
in the backdrop of your hearts and prayers.
We are having a constant presence.
This is now our third year here in this park.
Let's go ahead in our small groups
and make our way around and throughout the park to pray.
(Prayer)
(Harry Skandera)
Tonight, staying with the theme of
a bridge connecting that which is divided, we really
feel a connection in our city and county with Israel
in that we are the ends of the earth. A number of us
have made a pilgrimage to Israel very purposefully in
last few years. As we have gone there, it hasn't been
a sight seeing tour or a "let's visit the Biblical
land", type of a deal, although that is naturally
part of it, it has been more than educational. There
has been a real spiritual release through the Holy Spirit.
As we touched the ground there something was being stirred
in us that is very intentional and that someway, the
Lord is making a bridge from the ends of the earth to
what is at the center of His heart, Jerusalem. Since
in this night Jerusalem is at war, we want to pray for
the peace of Jerusalem. Scripture tells us to do that,
so we are going to do that all together tonight. We
want to make sure that we all take turns as it is a
big burden and we are many hearts, so share the air
time. Let's pray.
(Prayer)
Lord God, we pray that many through
the hardship and turmoil that is taking place in Israel
would come to know the living God. We pray for open
opportunities through soldiers, families and Messianic
Jews who do know you. We pray that doors would just
fly open to share the message of Yeshua Amashiach with
these Jews, with the people in Israel, that they would
know the living God that is alive and that Jesus is
the way, their sins are forgiven, and have an eternal
hope and promise in eternity with you God through Christ.
We pray for opportunities for that message to go out,
whether it is through the voice of the people in Israel,
or the voice of those in Santa Rosa praying and interceding
for those who are in Israel, from missionaries who are
there, throught the internet, radio or television or
even through those who are there to bring aid and set
up homes for those who have lost everything. Father
God, show us how we can help provide for these people.
Connect us Lord so that we can be your hands, feet and
voice.
Lord, we ask that you would give wisdom
to our leaders here in America, that they would know
where to place themselves in relation to Israel. Take
away the fear and the politics that they might walk
in your truth Lord, and stand where you would have us
to stand. Lord, that we could stand here tonight in
Santa Rosa and stand with Israel and to bless them.
Father, realizing that we do not understand all of the
ramifications, but we pray even here tonight Father,
that you would bring about the peace that is in your
heart for Israel. Bring forth your divine covenant plan
and bless your people. Lord, may they come to know Jesus
as the Messiah. Lord, take off the blinders. We pray
Lord, that in all of these conflicts, that you would
somehow bring us as people here in America to a deeper
understanding to the call on our lives. Raise us up
Lord, so that we will stand where we need to stand.
Reveal to Israel Father, that you are
a covenant God, that you are faithful unto the generations,
God. Reveal that you are Lord to all of the nations
whether they know it or not Father, that you are sovereign,
because it is illogical to see on a map the incredible
number of those opposing Israel, surrounding this little
speck of geography on this earth and yet they remain,
and that is because your hand is upon them. You love
them, Lord. I just pray for an opening and awakening
of their minds and hearts. That they would know you
as the God of love and reconciliation and that you are
faithful to your word. Let them see that you created
through Yeshua Amashiach a new and living way. Father,
expand our mind to help us know what we can do to help
stand in the gap other than pray. If you reveal it through
our finances or resources, however it may be, because
we too are children of Abraham and so we have a kinship
with Israel and your word declares it to be true. Father,
we ask for these tired and exasperated people, that
you would bring about this spiritual awakening and understanding
of who you are and what your word says.
Father, I pray the same for us, that
we would not walk around like paupers in our mentality
and thinking, because we are called overcomers in Christ.
We pray that those in Christ Jesus would stand in their
inheritance in Christ and we will begin to love being
in the minority. We will begin to love being in the
small group, because God is on our side and we have
no fear of the enemy. You said that in your word, to
have no fear and to be strong and courageous and the
reason that you had to repeat yourself was because we
are not good at. Help us to be people that live by faith
and not by sight, God. May we realize that you are faithful
and true all of the time Lord God.
We want to lift up the families on
both sides of the conflict who are suffering loss of
loved ones and who are mourning for those that are close
to them. We pray for the Israeli's, Palestinian's and
Lebanese that you Lord would comfort them in their affliction.
Let them know your loving kindness in the midst of war.
We pray that in the midst of pain, that our friends
within the Jewish communities can know that Christians
love them and that it is the love of you, Father. Let
your love flow through us as your people. Help us to
also forgive Mel Gibson for his words and mistake in
addressing the Jewish people and whatever the enemy
is trying to do through this would not prosper, but
that the love of Christ would be manifest.
(Harry Skandera)
Another bridge aspect that I would
like to address tonight has to do with our business
community here in Sonoma County. One of the ways that
some of the business men in our community who went to
Israel wanted to and were moved to be a part of reaching
out to Israel and the Jewish community, was to help
build a Jewish health clinic in Cotati. They have reached
out to the community of the Jews and have a free health
clinic going, but they have been completely swamped
there and haven't had enough room. When some of our
local Christian business men heard about that, they
decided to do something about it and in October they
will be building a brand new facility for the Jewish
health clinic. No strings attached, just an act of love
and service to help them to help the community.
One of the key men in that group, John
Reckon, has his office building right around the corner
from where we are now. I would like us to take the next
few moments not only to pray a blessing on John, but
a release of who John represents of the many business
people and leaders that have and are stepping forward
to give and to serve Jews that are here in our county.
(Sam Tillery)
 Can
I suggest that we go and lay hands on the building.
Total Concepts is a construction company, but they have
established a ministry out of that called, "community
builder." John Reckon and his brother Dan are the
partners of this business, as well as this ministry.
Let's pray and let's pray loud enough so that everyone
can hear through the traffic.
(Prayer)
We pray that your name Father would
be lifted up and that praise would come to you for all
that is done through this place and business, God.
We pray for the vision and for those
who are the owner's of Total Concepts that they would
be able to opporate their business in total integrity,
with you as the head. Father, we pray that you would
bless the Reckon family, their families, their children,
and Total Concepts as a business. Father, that you would
bless them in such a way that you would be glorified.
Thank you that they have used their
profits and influence to the establishing of "Community
Builders", a ministry that reaches out and blesses
others, united with various trades to bless this community.
So, Father, as they labor to organize this and put together
the building of this additional facility for the Jewish
health clinic in Cotati, we pray that that act and that
unity would release something in the spiritual relm.
May it communicate that we, the body of Christ love
your people. Father, we pray that people would begin
to ponder, think, ask questions and that it would open
doors of opportunities for us to join in partnership
to bless the Jews. To realize that we are of the same
God and that they would come to realize that the Messiah
who we call Jesus Christ, is truely their Messiah.
Lord, we ask that you would bless and
provide all that is needed for this coming project.
The finances, personel, cooperation and that in no way
may the enemy step in somehow and cause some slant in
the media. As we cover it with our television media
team, Lord may you give us the right words to speak
and the right angles to shoot in such a way that we
would communicate what is truely happening and that
lives would be touched and changed. Lord, we thank you
and as we stand here in the entrance of this building,
would you bless those who labor here. Give them encouragement,
vision, endurance and strength to press forward. Assign
your Holy Angels to stand guard over this place and
protect it from the attacks of the evil one. We thank
you Lord for that which has already come forth from
this place. Bless it we ask in your name.
Lord, we thank you for the bridge that
is forming between the pastor's, businessmen and other
leaders in this city. We pray God that you would continue
to reconcile the groups and spheres of influence and
show us how that is going to look. Father, continue
to tear down the walls and let us be one in your body
for our city and county. We pray God that you would
continue to melt down pre-conceptions about how each
man and women persues their destiny in you and their
calling. Lord, begin to meld together our occupations
and callings. Let there be a release, God, of all that
is in your heart as this county is transformed as to
what is in your heart for this place.
Sanctify all of this work Lord, and
let the glory of God come apon it. Let the heart of
God be manifest through it in the righteousness and
in peace and in the Holy Ghost, oh God. Make a way where
there is no way. Open doors. You have laid down your
life, oh God, as a bridge to mankind for this very kind
of thing. Father, cause it to prosper, enlarge these
walls, and release all that is needed to do that work
as it pleases and blesses the Lord.
(Sam Tillery)
 I
think that it is important that we take a few moments
and pray for Forest. Forest leads the intercessors in
Petaluma and as we continue to partner together, I think
that it is important that we continue to lift one another
up in prayer. We recognize that those who hold those
kind of positions come up for the fact that the enemy
doesn't want that to happen. It is unique and an incredible
blessing for Petaluma that a man has stepped forward
to give leadership to the intercessors, and so, let's
just take a moment and gather in the middle of this
and have Forest stand here. Let's pray to release God's
blessings on the responcibilities that he has as he
leads the intercessors in Petaluma and as he is here
to represent Petaluma tonight.
(Forest)
I'll take it.
(Prayer)
Lord, we pray for Forest and for all
of the things that he will say and do in his prayer
closet with all of the other brothers and sisters that
are with him. We pray for his special ministry that
many people may not be aware of, that they will notice
change is coming and that it is because people are praying
for them. Father, we pray that he would be encouraged
day by day and strengthened by you Lord. Father, put
the fire in him, so that he will be so excited as he
comes to you. We ask for his protection against the
enemy, Father. Let him know that he is not alone in
this and that you are there with him. At any moment
and any time Lord, that you would prompt him with your
Holy Spirit. Father, we just ask that you would flood
him with your words of your will to speak forth those
things to be done in your precious name, Jesus, Amen.
Thank you Lord Jesus for giving us
the armorment of God. We just pray for Forest that he
would have fastened upon his head the helmet of Salvation,
that he would have fastened upon his torso the breast
plate of righteousness. Fastened upon his feet his war
sandals of peace, covering himself with the preparation
of the Gospel and the sword of the spirit which is the
word of God and the belt of truth. I pray for him to
stand in this evil day Lord, and we just all, as a Roman
armorment, have our sheilds all around, so this is a
protected moment and we are all safe. We thank you God
that we all have our armor up and we are completely
safe from all of the attacks of Satan and his demons,
Lord. Help us to stand in the evil day and help us to
partner more together I pray in Jesus name.
Lord, bless Forest as he is a bridge
between Petaluma and Santa Rosa, a bridge between Petaluma
and You Lord and as you have annointed him for this
ministry of intercession.
(Forest)
Father, on behalf of the Church of
Petaluma, Lord, we just bring our peace to the city
of Santa Rosa and we speak blessing upon this city oh
God, and all of it's inhabitants. We bring our hearts
desire, that we should walk as one man, we should be
as one people who love God and who are the praise to
your glory. We pray Father God for the increase of the
unity and of the spirit and the bond of peace, that
you would help us all to make our best effort to maintain
the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace that you
have working in us oh God. Father, we ask for a greater
release of supply, resource and blessing that would
come from our city to this city. Let the church be built
and let it be one of power and full of praise. God,
may you be exalted and magnified out of the working
together and as we come together as one and dwell together
in unity, we command the blessings and we ask it in
Jesus name. We give our peace and blessing to this city.
(Harry Skandera)
One thing that I am reminded of. We
gathered together, not here in the park, but we actually
did a little march. We gathered over in front of Luther
Burbank's home, that is where we started, and we began
to pray. We walked over here to the park and then we
walked over to city hall and prayed over there. That
evening there was a brother there who shared some interesting
information about Juliard Park's history. I can't remember
all of the details, but I do remember how this park
came about. There was some kind of a division in a family
about an inheritance and when it was finally all said
and done, the woman that ended up with it, she gave
this park to the city. Mrs. McDonald was her name and
she was formerly a Juliard from the Juliard family in
New York.
The thing that struck me about it,
as I was thinking back to the night that we were praying
at city hall, and as we talk about bridges and connections...Up
until that time, that night, one of the things that
we prayed at over at city hall was...Several years ago,
we had a very outspoken man who was a christian who
was on the city counsel and he had become Mayor. He
had made a declaration that the city counsel meetings
would all be started with prayer. At that time, there
was a person in the audience that protested strongly
that that would be a violation and offense.
The whole city counsel backed down
totally. The next day in the paper, there was a headline
that said, "Santa Rosa, the city that would not
pray." The irony of that and it sent a shiver down
my spine and struck me of what a sad state we were in.
Some of that has changed, but the biggest thing that
struck me about the change, has been in the last few
years. You know, we prayed into that whole thing that
night about the town that would not pray and the connection
between the christians and the city government. It has
been in the last few years that we have began to experience
and incredible favor with the city government, and I
would suggest that there was a bridge that was began
that night. I am a great believer in the importance
of places and geography and that there are certain places
that God ordains in certain places.
I love this park, because it is a place
of refuge and peace in the middle of a busy city. In
some ways it reflects Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa has always
been a place where people have come, like from the city
and so forth, to find rest, that is why the tourism
thing is such a big deal here. It is part of the destiny
of this place, that people come and they are refreshed
and they in some ways are reconected with their purpose
and destiny in life. I wanted to share that, because
I don't think that that is an accident. There are a
lot of things that we pray into and sometimes it is
an event. We are going to be able to see some results
of our prayer within three weeks, we are going to see
some, but there are a lot of things that we prayed tonight
that you won't see it maybe for years, or it will unfold
over a course of months and years.
I wanted to pray into something tonight
that has to do with making that connection, making that
bridge into the destiny of this county. Last month there
were a number of intercessors that came out and stayed
just near Bohemian Grove, when I say grove, I am not
going to go into all of the history, but let's just
say this, world leaders have gathered in Sonoma County
for over 100 years on an annual basis. That is significant.
There are things that get talked over and decided that
shape the course of nations. That occurs on this peace
of geography, so we began to pray there over this last
week and the main thing that many of us came away with
was that, many of us had a burden to pray for the men
that were in that grove and that the Lord would be moving
upon their hearts and their families and that the Lord
would be touching them.
We knew that some of them would be
Christians, but that many of them would not be. We have
a certain authority in this place as believers that
God has called to this place, to have some kind of an
impact before the throne of God. We pray about what
happens from this place which He has called us to. This
is our land, this is our promised land and we have a
cerain amount of authority when we come before the throne
of God. All of that to say this, I want to take a few
minutes tonight to continue to pray for what the Lord
has for Sonoma County, as far as a place where people
find destiny. A place where destiny is birthed and I
don't know what that all together looks like, but I
know that we began in a very intentional way and began
to pray into that.
Here we were gathering our in the woods
in Sonoma and God sent the lead intercessor from the
city of New York. The lead intercessor at the united
nations was here to pray. She usually would go to the
big economic summit every year, but she felt like God
had told her to come to this place, because it was more
important this year. There was another woman who came
from intercession in Mississippi who had just gone through
everything with Hurricane Katrina, so anyway, God was
bringing people from all over the place to pray.
That really impacted us. God is pretty
serious about Sonoma County, in a way that maybe some
of us have not been. So, I wanted to take this night
when we have been talking and praying about bridges
and connections, that God would begin to increase our
understanding and wisdom about our connection and purpose
in this place. What is it that is meant to change the
destiny's of nations? That as Christians, what are we
placed here for?
I would like us to just pray quietly
to ourselves, and then I would like Sam to pray for
us all in that regard, as our destiny in Sonoma County
and our connection to the nations.
(Prayer)
Father, we thank you that this park,
Juliard Park, was a gift to the city. Lord, as we will
be in this park at the end of the month as a gift to
the city, expressing love, acceptance, giving gifts,
giving of ourselves. Father, may the city receive and
enjoy the gift of your church. Help us as the body of
Christ to realize that we are the city's blessing. We
are your incarnated truth. You have made us little Christ's
to manifest your love, to demonstrate your love to one
another and to be a blessing. We have been blessed by
you to be a blessing. Father, would you release us as
the united body to step into our place of pouring ourselves
out in your name to be a blessing in Santa Rosa and
Sonoma County. Father, as this property was a blessing
to the city as a gift, we come Father, as your gift
to the city. Ministers of reconciliation, those who
declare truth. We have been the recipients of your mercy
and you have poured out your grace upon us, that we
would do the same.
Father, may this community receive
your divine destiny and step into it that comes by way
of the cross. That comes by way of the freedom that
comes in Jesus Christ. So, Lord as we walk on this property
that was a gift, may we be received as Santa Rosa as
a gift to bless the families and the children. In every
way Father, would you spread that good news, that the
united body of Christ that proclaims the name of Jesus
Christ, is savior, Lord. We are here not to judge, but
to stand in truth and in love, reflecting the person
of the Lord Jesus Christ. Protect that we pray, heavenly
Father. May we your church walk in your divine call
and be the expression of your love. Make it clear to
us heavenly Father what your divine call on our lives
is and may the city step into her place. To be a city
of influence and an influence that reflects Christ.
We thank you heavenly Father and we bless you. May your
power work through us we ask, Amen!
(Sam Tillery)
One thing as we wrap up, that I think
is an answer to prayer. We have been praying over the
past few years over the issue of reconciliation and
I think that we believe that reconciliation is more
than words, that we have to walk in reconciliation and
restoration. We have been endeavoring to do that in
different ways. One of the ways that we have felt has
been important, has been to reconcile with our past
and walk in our presense, is with our issues with the
Native American Indians. We prayed a while back that
God would give us a point of contact, a relationship
with those who represent the Native Americans of this
land and County.
So, God has done that in many ways
and one specific person that many of you know and that
is Pastor Ben Midell. We have been praying for Round
Valley and that God would use he and his family, and
we believe that he is a connecting point to the various
tribes throughout this region. He has been in Round
Valley and God seems to have opened the door for Pastor
Ben, Carol and his whole family to re-locate to Sonoma
County, specifically to Petaluma. At first I struggled
with that, because I felt that they would orphaning
Round Valley where some of his people are and the element
of authority that he had, because he lived there on
the reservation.
Then I spent some time with Ben and
his family in Yosemite and we came to find out that
some of his people originally came from the land there
in Yosemite. As we spent time together, he had really
been wrestling with what he should do. I kept thinking
that he should stay in Round Valley, but the Lord really
hit me with fact that his authority is not in Round
Valley, because that is where we had pushed them. His
rightful place is in the place of freedom. It's in who
he is and the authority that he has and his representation
as a Native American Indian.
I shared that with him and it is looking
now that God has opened the door in his moving this
weekend to Petaluma. I think that that is an answer
to prayer, because it postured him to relate with us
on a more consistant basis. If we can begin to walk
in a deeper understanding with the people and he can
help connect us with the various tribes and knowing
how to pray and walk in reconciliation.
I would like us to take some time to
pray for Pastor Ben and his family as they move. I am
sure that they are in need of furniture and funds to
move. They are going to keep their home in Round Valley
that they rent from the tribe and it's only 200 dollars
a month. I believe that his sister and a few others
are still going to stay there, so ther e will still
be a connection, but he is going to be in Petaluma.
Let's pray that God would reveal and
protect Ben now as he can be a closer part of helping
us to walk and opperate in reconciliation.
(Prayer)
Lord, we pray that Ben would be free
of having to be concerned with finances. Lord, that
there would be an over abundance and provision for the
needs of his family and that the help would be there.
During this time of huge transition of leaving from
Round Valley where it is very quiet, closer to the city
where there is a lot more things going on, Lord we pray
that he would still be able to have his quiet time with
you and that Father, you would even be more near him
in all things he would be able to hear your voice just
as loud or even more. Father, we pray that whatever
ministry he would move into, that that would be clear
to him. Whatever his hands need to be doing Lord, tha
that would be clear.
We pray for the transition of the family
members into the schools that they will be going into.
Lord, help them to find the right schools to plug into
and that they would be blessed, protected and covered.
Place a great family around them to be a support to
them. Father, let them walk in peace and freedom and
in truth, that they will be used by you in a great way.
Each and everyone of the family members that are there
would be used in an amazing way there.
Thank you for the ability that you
have brought for communication and healing that has
began with Round Valley.
Continue to lead him according to your
will.
We pray for the people that he is leaving
and for the great hole that it might be leaving, but
we pray that for those who where maybe leaning too much
on him, would allow them to hunger more for you Lord.
That the people who are there would have even a greater
hunger for truth and for all that Pasor Ben had been
teaching about. We pray that there would be a revival
and continued healing in the land and people in Round
Valley. That there would be much fruit upon the foundation
that has been layed there already. Amen!
(Sam Tillery)
A couple of quick announcements before
we all leave.
City Reach Prayer for next month is
most likely going to be in Guerneville, but to make
sure you'll have to just go to the web site, www.unitedprayer.org.
We will be meeting outdoors in the
center square in the center of town.
I was sitting here looking at Christelle
cuddled up and I was feeling the cold myself and my
mind reflected to a few years ago when I was in Latfia,
which is right next to Russia. I was there in December,
which is the dead of Winter. I had introduced prayer
walking to one of the pastors there a few years prior,
so every time I go there, they grab me and say, "
hey, we've got to go prayer walk in this or that area."
These folks are used to pretty harsh weather, I mean,
we are talking snow. We are out there on a prayer walk
and boy, no matter what you have on, when that wind
blows, it just goes right through you and touches your
bones. You can't get away from it. Then, if you go into
the buildings, they are not heated and even if they
are, it isn't sufficient, so you know, we as Americans
were frozen. I remember my mustache had icicles on it
from the moisture of my breath freezing.
All that to say, I thought of the dynamics
of people that are praying diligently in places that
are very uncomfortable climate wise or otherwise, but
I appreciate the fact they you are here even though
it is a little bit chilly, but it is nothing like what
some are enduring.
I know that God is always pleased when
we come together and I just want to thank you for your
faithfulness. Harry and I are so thankful for your consistancy.
We know that it is not in the numbers, but in the faithfulness.
Lord bless you.
Special Thanks to Christelle Eddy
who transcribed this document. |
