Praying without Ceasing for a Week

Our squad just completed a week-long Burn, where we disappeared into the Kyrgyz desert mountains and prayed for twenty-four hours a day for seven days. No words can describe just how beautiful this week was, you just have to go and do it yourself. Find a nice yurt camp and some friends willing to be woken up in the middle of the night to begin their shift and you got yourself some serious Holy Spirit time!

I was reminded so much of Malaysia, where I practically learned how to intercede, or pray for others. I prayed for my squad and team, for abortion in Southeast Asia, for modern day slave victims, and for personal growth. This week had a very different goal; we didn’t pray for personal growth or safety or salvations; we exclusively praised, worshiped and exulted God.

The first day was a day of silence, no speaking to each other or singing or dancing. We just fixed our eyes on Him, forgetting about our problems and struggles and only seeing God, thus setting the tone for the rest of the week. 

Being woken up at 3:00am so you can begin your turn to pray alone with nothing to do other than to praise God is an oddly beautiful experience. Below are some of the prayers I wrote down:

“God, You have loved more men than there are grains of sand on the beach, and have numbered every hair on their heads. God, who are we to say no at your calling? You are worthy of our ‘Here am I, Lord, send me.’ Though we are empowered by your Spirit still we have nothing to give but our hearts, and so we give them to you. Your are worthy of our all, little as it it.”

“Who am I to worship the Lord, the Great I Am? You are worthy of the greatest lyricists and artists, and what am I compared to them? I am nothing more than one man saved by grace; and for that I praise You, for if not that I would be the most wretched of sinners. You have raised me up to sit with Moses, Elijah, the Baptizer, and Paul, where my head can be held high for your grace. You have made me a child of God, no longer bound by sin but by grace. I am a temple of Your Spirit the Comforter, empowered by His presence. You are worthy of my songs, whether feeble or strong, and so I lift them to You. May they be a sweet sound in Your holy ear.”

“You are the slaughtered Lamb who lives forever,

The roaring Lion who shepherds the flock,

“The God of Life who was crucified,

The God of Strength who fell under His cross,

The God of Joy who has mourned and wept,

The God of Peace who conquers our battles,

The God of Israel who loves the Gentiles!

You a a God indescribable, inexpressible, who calls for praise and worship, knowing You are beyond our understanding, knowing they will never be adequate to who Your are. God, it is You who makes our song beautiful. Not only have you given us Christ, but You have given us Christlikeness; not only have You pulled us from Hell, but You have lifted us up to Heaven. Either gift would be grace beyond words, and yet You have given us both. And not only have you given both, but you give them over and over again even as man oft rejects them.

“God, I am now lost for words. All I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you.”

“Blessed is the Lamb that was slain, Who is the Lion worthy to open the scroll. For He is the King of kings seated by the Father’s right hand. It is He whom the elders  and beasts adore, exalted by creation and by the saints. His name will reign a thousand years and then forevermore. Your crystal-ringed throne spews thunder, illuminated by the seven spirits of God. You halt the winds and bind the Dragon. To You alone be all awe and glory.”

I’m not exaggerating when I say I do believe this was the most important week of the World Race for my squad. The glory and praise that was given to God was surreal, and the growth has equipped us for more ministry, service, and obedience than ever before. If you haven’t experienced 24/7 prayer, you need to make it happen. 10 out of 10 would recommend.