If you’re from Liberty University (holla!), this acrostic is not foreign to you. For those of you who aren’t let me explain:
ALL NIGHT OF PRAYER
When I was in college we had a campus-wide “all night of prayer” at the beginning of every school year. It was a moving and awesome experience that I looked forward to each year.
Well, now I’m on the World Race and just yesterday my team and I hosted an ANOP of our own.
A few days ago my Sister, Bethany, came to us with the idea. We normally gather as a team every morning for a time of prayer where we lift up our team, squad, individual requests, praises, and those of our friends and family members. Many
more have been coming in lately and the Lord just laid very strongly on her heart to have an all night of prayer where we stay up and just intercede on behalf of our loved ones all around the world.
With about a day to plan, we posted on Facebook and sent e-mails out asking for requests and they POURED in! We were excited to get this thing started.
In one of the rooms in our apt, Bethany set up different prayer stations, made a sign up sheet (2 people for 2 hour time slots), light tea lights to set the mood, and we played worship music.
From 9pm-9am we spent time in God’s presence like never before. We worshipped with our mouths, our hearts, with creativity, and on our knees.
Thanks and Praise– A time to rest in awe of our God and give Him thanks for who He is and ALL He has done! He is WORHTY to be praised! There is so much to be thankful for. “Give thanks to the Lord,
for he is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1
Listening Prayer– When the rest of the our lives are busy and full of distraction, this is a time to be still in His Presence with His Word and our hearts open humbly to seek Him and hear what
He has to say, when normally we wouldn’t. “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted along the nations, I will be exhausted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
Prayer Requests– Lists and lists of all the requests sent in by our friends, family, strangers, and acquaintances. I loved this station. During this time I didn’t find myself overwhelmed or burdened
with the vagueness of names and requests of those I didn’t know. Instead, I was moved with compassion before my Father, fighting for each person as if they were my own blood family. After all, they’re still my Brothers and Sisters! But to me they didn’t seem
a distant half a world away. Rather, they’re in my heart and always in sight of our Dad. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who
knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7: 7-8
Squad and Team– All our personal requests as a U Squad family. The different teams, family issues, financial burdens, coaches, and leaders. “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds
of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18
Past Countries and Ministries– Remembering and lifting up all those we’ve met and worked with since September. Our contacts, families, future ministry endeavors, provision, friends, and salvation
of natives we’ve encountered. “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe
that you have sent me.” John 17:20-21
It was a powerful time for us all and we experienced God and prayer in a new way that night. For me, I just grew in my love for the Body of Christ and how Great our God is in spite of whether He answers our requests according to
our will.
“And we know that in all things God works together for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
