This past weekend I had the amazing opportunity to participate in Awaken the Dawn’s Tent America 2018 in my home state and town of Des Moines, Iowa!
What’s Tent America?
At all 50 state capitals and several campuses across America tents were put up where 50hrs of day and night prayer and worship took place September 27th-29th.
To learn more check out the website:
https://www.awakenthedawn.org/tent-america/
https://www.awakenthedawn.org/
How was it?
Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect and tried my best to go into the days without having an expectation or comparison to last year’s event.
Pause… Last year’s event?
Last year Awaken the Dawn took place in Washington, DC. Over 50 tents (regional and every state represented) were put up on the National Mall between the White house and the Washington Monument. At these tents day and night prayer/worship took place 24/7 for 4 days!
I was shocked last year at how I felt a nudge to participate and attend the event. I was quite confused, and not sure what to do; to go or not to go that was the question.
Then one evening I was lying in bed, when I felt the urge to look up what it may cost for a flight/book a room. Not minutes after I started browsing did I find a really cheap flight! I almost passed it by when I clearly heard (not audibly) God say, “This won’t be here tomorrow!”
I immediately knew that He was giving me the choice, He had opened a door, would I walk through it? That was up to me, He was okaying me to go, as a good Father does, He was approving of my wanting to go and giving me the opportunity, but ultimately leaving the decision up to me.
What did I do?
I booked the flight right then and there! Was it scary? Yes. Was it exciting? Absolutely.
Needless to say God really moved during Awaken the Dawn in DC and my life was changed (maybe I’ll write a separate blog about my experiences.)
I say all this to say that as last year was so impactful and phenomenal for me, I wanted to be sure to not go into this year’s Tent America looking for the same experiences as last year (giving the opportunity to be upset or let down if it wasn’t what I expected).
So… how was this year with Tent America?
It was great! Not having a particular vision for what it should look like or be like allowed me the freedom to truly enjoy the time and sweet presence of God. I felt a freedom to just worship and pray, that I hadn’t felt in a while.
I wasn’t really looking for God to fill me or give me any words, as I had made the decision to enjoy praying over the lovely state of Iowa and US as a whole and worshiping; taking my eyes off of myself and my situation with preparing for the World Race.
I had felt I needed a break and Tent America couldn’t have come at a better time!
But, God being the good Father that He is, refreshed me during those 3 days and gave me words through others who came out to the tent, encouraging me and reminding me of who I am to Him and His thoughts about me. I didn’t ask to be filled, for prayer, for words of affirmation or encouragement, but He provided anyways.
God is so good, so faithful, a perfect Father, and knows our hearts, He knows what we need, when we need it, and how we need it. God was showing me that I did the right thing, focusing my eyes back on Him as they had shifted in my panic to get things done in preparation for the World Race.
It’s good to partner and work with God, we have to do our part, but we cannot do God’s part. Instead we must have the faith to trust in God, that He will do His part. It may not look the way we expect or happen in our timing, but He who promised is faithful!
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. – Hebrews 10:23
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