Our squad spent a consecutive twenty-four hours praying. We started at 8 a.m. on a Tuesday, taking shifts as individuals and teams, to be in constant communication with the Lord until 8 a.m. Wednesday morning.
Some hours we were lifting up prayers 30 at a time. Others, we had one or two World Racers praying while the rest of the squad, slept, ate, or went on with the day’s tasks.
I woke up at 3:45 in the morning, dragged my blanket and bible out to the patio, and sat under a sheet of stars. Chiquito, one of the dogs on property, crawled into my lap. And I started praying.
I won’t share everything from that hour here, because of the personal and intimate nature of some conversation topics between me and God during that time, but here’s a glimpse into what a chat with Papa looks like at 4 a.m.
0358 It’s nearly 4 a.m. and Chiquito is nestled against my legs, hogging my blanket. The stars are out an innumerable. I thank You for your provision, the promises You keep. And I try—as hard as it is—to be still with You.
0400 God, You are so good. In the middle of the day and the middle of the night, You are so good. When the sky is streaked with stardust and ashes, and I can see the quiet hum of leftover light, I know Your goodness is too much to fit in a day. It overflows into the next, and I ask You to overflow from me.
0405 God, will You foster a spirit of obedience in me and all of J Squad? Instill in us a deep desire to listen to Your call, to say, “yes,” to it, and to mean it. Will You strike down our half-hearted plans and show us that we can believe in You fully? Trust in You fully? Because I want Your will for us.
0413 Spirit, I’m asking You to tell me what to pray. I’ll wait. I’ll listen.
0417 DANIEL 3:6; DANIEL 4:2; DANIEL 6
0422 Papa, I just pray these promises from Your Word out to You. I know You want prayer from us, from me. So I can see Your Glory and be expectant of Your Righteousness. Daniel defied the law to pray to You, three times a day, and was so in-tune with Your Will that he walked unscathed out of the lion’s den. I rebuke the enemy’s tactics of distraction and doubt. I am firm in the name of Jesus and the authority you gave me to speak life into existence; to see dry bones rise and dance before Your throne.
Prayer is not a hobby. It’s a posture from which to take on life and all this earth has to offer. It’s praise and it’s pleading and sometimes it’s asking You what the heck is going on. And You answer in due time and occasion.
0431 God, I’m just thinking about Chiquito curled up in my lap and sleeping, while I am doing things and arranging my blanked and probably sitting in a pile of ants, all while trying not to wake him. Thank You for valuing our rest, Lord. Thank You that the Good Father that You are, we can always crawl into Your lap and be; just be. You call us into great, hard things, Lord, but You are our refuge. You don’t close Yourself off to us. And You put our comfort above Your own. Thank You for the cross.
0436 God, I life the Dominican Republic to You. These stars are Yours. These trees are Yours. These people are Yours; Yours to save and to love and to have their hearts. I pray that You move here, that You sweep across this island and cover it with grace. Make change here. Break walls here. Release prisoners here.
GALATIANS 5:13 “FOR THE WHOLE LAW IS FULFILLED IN ONE WORD, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’”
Please, God, by Your Spirit, convict these people who are trapped in prostitution and trafficking, whether as clients or as providers; convict them to trade their knockoff, novelty love for True Love that comes only from You. You are Love. Reveal that to them. Rented rooms and children just doing what they’re told is not love. Selling themselves is not love. Buying each other’s bodies in a package deal with their dignity is not love. We have been bought and paid ransom for by the blood of Jesus Christ. THAT is Love.
0452 God, I don’t think You want to give me words right now, just for me to sit and be with You, presently.
