“Surprise Me”
Cherry Hills Village, CO: lots of wide-open and country-like lanes! Park at the Church of Latter Day Saints.
WHERE: Head to the wide-open streets of Cherry Hills Village (Streets between E. Quincy and Belleview and University and Clarkson)
WHEN: Anytime, but make 2:17pm part of your walk
BLESSED SPOT: A nondescript cul-de-sac at the end of Layton Lane
Walk the wonderful lanes but find yourself at the cul-de-sac of Layton Lane sometime on your walk
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11.
“Surprise Me”
Mark Batterson’s book “Draw the Circle” had a huge influence on my life late last year and into this year. His 40-day prayer challenge was life-changing, it was 40 days of seeing God really at work in my life in a fun and tangible way.
One of my prayer mantras during the challenge was asking God to clearly prompt me and surprise me somehow every day. This January we were in Santa Fe. The whole town seems to always be draped in the lovely fragrance of piñon—I find myself taking deep satisfying breaths. I set out on a prayer walk with Hazel, asking God to prompt me to pray for someone and to surprise me. After looping the town I was heading back to our casita I wandered past an adobe church I love to visit. As I was passing the church I saw a piece of paper fluttering in the wind. I passed it by, but then felt that divine prompting in my soul to pick it up. I turned the page in my hands and read the note. “Please pray for Malcom, he needs shelter.” I had to keep looking at it. It was crazy right? I was deeply thankful to the Lord for that surprise and that clear prompting to pray for this man in need. I often pray for Malcom, I don’t know if Malcom found shelter, but I certainly will keep praying for him!
As you take this prayer walk through the wide open lanes, and gaze at the beautiful homes (I had some house lust for sure) I pray that you are surprised by God. Take some deep breaths, smell the air, and listen to the birds (they seem to be prolific here). And, we found that Winwood Lane smelled super fragrant of pine for some reason—ahhh! I have prayed that you would feel that sense of hope in your soul that causes you to take that deep satisfying breath. I have prayed that you would feel joy and a sense of God doing magical things in your midst. I am praying that you find your mantra for this unprecedented time, a prayer you can repeat everyday. Take a moment and ask God to show you that he is real and he is moving. I pray that you are surprised and delighted by the small and big ways he shows up. I pray for a for a “Malcom” moment in your life.
Ron Johnson, our pastor at Restoration Community Church put out a challenge to just pray at 2:17pm everyday. As we were walking the streets of this gorgeous neighborhood, my alarm reminder went off while we hit the cul-de-sac mentioned above. Not sure why we were let to this nondescript place, but we stopped in this space and prayed for that place to be a place of joy and hope. We prayed against this virus, and for protection over those suffering, and those who are most vulnerable. I prayed that this spot would be the place you would take a deep breath and fill your lungs with the anticipation of good things to come.
God is bigger than Covid-19
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18.
This cul-de-sac has been prayed for:
For joy that fills your spirit and your lungs
For deep hope that spreads way faster than the virus
For wonderful God-Surprises in your life
For God’s promptings to be clear and actionable
For a couple “Malcom” moments in your journey
That you would find your prayer mantra for this time frame
Things you can do:
Post a comment, a thought, a prayer, or a prayer request
Pray over the houses as you pass by in this neighborhood and other neighborhoods
Start the 40 day prayer challenge in Mark Batterson’s book “Draw the Circle”
Watch an online sermon
Remember God is bigger than C-19 and this too will pass!
