First Methodist Church in Indianola kicked off its 168 hours of prayer last Sunday to highlight hunger in the church at noon.
Immediately after the Sunday service, the vigil began in a prayer room at the church.
The prayer vigil started with a vision of former pastor Ethan Oltremari, who wanted to see how God would move within the church for seven days or 168 hours.
Each year since 2019, the vision has grown bigger and bigger. What stayed the same was the members and leaders continued to struggle to fill and maintain their one-hour slots with prayer leaders, but this year, it was different.
Participants are more excited than ever to pray. The momentum is steadily building as the prayer continues. The prayer room offers stations for kids and adults to see different types of prayers and ways to pray and to use this experience throughout the year, added Anna Mitchell, church administrator.
Additionally, this year, a meal was shared with the participants on Wednesday evening. Members were encouraged to fast for 24 hours and continue to pray for spiritual hunger and a desire for more of God.
"Spending time in prayer deepens and strengthens our relationship with God," said Michael Davis, Associate Pastor. Traditionally, the theme for the prayer vigil has been placed on Davis' shoulders. "I prayed for several months, seeking God for a theme. I kept hearing the word complacency. God told me you are happy where you are and are not actively seeking or trying to grow in me," shared Davis.
After hearing those words from God, he scheduled a conference with Michael Lindsay, pastor. Davis shared the words above with Lindsay, in the presence of the copy machine worker in the church office. Davis recalled that the worker confirmed the theme, stating that he believes God wants the church to pray for hunger, more of God, and move away from complacency and things that distract them.
Davis obeys God in the new vision and implementation of the theme. People no longer feel intimidated about how to pray for one long hour. Now, some are asking for more time to pray. The shift in the mindset is beyond imagination and expectation.
"It's been cool to see how this vision has grown from 70 people taking several prayer slots to over 200 asking for more slots," exclaimed Davis.
"Everybody is looking forward to prayer, participating, and entering the prayer room," said Davis. "Multiple groups are praying, looking forward to their time, and waiting to be called to fill in if needed. Sunday school classes, whole families, and community members who are not church members signed up and are coming to the prayer room."
"In the prayer room, there are less distractions. Not to mention, something special is happening in the room. Many of the participants say that they have experienced being in the presence of God more tangibly and uniquely," explained Mitchell. The room is saturated with God's presence; God is meeting needs, changing hearts, and mending lives.
The prayer room consists of several areas or stations: writing blessings on a card and placing it on the wall; writing scriptures on the card and placing it on the wall; prayer requests; confession- writing sin in the sand, then erasing the marks - this symbolizes the removal of sin; communion; praying for specific people in the group, staff, surrounding community, and the state of Mississippi.
Davis said he prays that the vigil challenges everyone to look at themselves to see if they are complacent and to reflect on their impact and service in the church and community.
In many ways, the vigil impacts life. Participants get to enter the prayer room and read others' blessings, scriptures, and prayer requests on the wall.
"Knowing that someone has been in this room praying, sharing their weaknesses, vulnerability, struggles, sicknesses, blessings, and miracles- opens my eyes and makes me see beyond myself. I also get to see how God moves in the community; I know what I need to pray," shared Mitchell.
Davis shared, "I have received reports or testimonies from those who participate in the vigil. They are eager and overwhelmed with what God is doing. Some have said bearing one another's burdens gives joy. Others hold that the vigil helps them to experience and connect with the church. Others are grateful for this time and thankful for the planning group's work in making the vigil happen. Finally, many say this is our church's special time and ministry."
According to Davis, someone mentioned that they now realize the importance of removing distractions and spending time with God. Another person said he should do it more often. Parents have noted this is an excellent opportunity to teach their kids to pray.
Mitchell agreed, stating that seeing kids pray for Israel makes her heart happy. "I know that kids are not just praying for themselves."
That hour goes by so much quicker when you are in the presence of God. "This is what heaven will be like," said Davis.
"The prayer vigil is the spread of something great. It's not just an event on the church calendar; it's a significant and life-changing event we look forward to each year. Our prayer is that it reaches our community, state, and world. Registration was held online via the church website," Davis shared.
The prayer vigil closed Sunday with 168 hours reached at noon.
"We are considering extending the vigil next year. Due to the size of the prayer room, only a few people can comfortably come in to pray. We want people praying, seeking God, and having a hunger for him," stated Davis.
Please visit the church's website for more information about the vigil and other ministries.
