USA: Women 'Soak in God's Presence' (Literally) - 8 Apr 2005
Samie (Greig) and I had a great time at a women's retreat!' writes Steph Carter (Steph's a lovely English lass who's been transplanted to Kansas City, USA, to help with the 24-7 movement in the States)
 Steph Carter |
To be honest we weren't sure what to expect of the 2 day retreat with the women of Metro Christian Fellowship, Kansas City. The thought of all that oestrogen flying around was a little alarming and I have to admit that getting so many women together in one place freaks me out a bit and i'm sure I'm not alone in that sentiment! |
We'd been asked to set up a 24-7 prayer room - a 19-1 to be precise - and so we loaded up the car with candles and fairy lights and headed to the Sheriton hotel in deepest Kansas.
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We think we have a 'claim to fame' for this prayer room, it quite possibly is the very first ever to incorporate a bath! Being in a hotel room we knew it would have an en-suite and so we decided to use it! We bought some great bubble bath so that the women could go in and literally soak in the Lord's presence. We know loads of people took the opportunity and loved it! Below are some of the stories we heard from the room: |
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On the Saturday afternoon one woman shared a powerful testimony of her time in the prayer room. She said that a few weeks before, God had asked her in a dream whether she would remove her costume and mask, those words were still with her as she went intoto the prayer room and God asked her to write down everything she was feeling on a sheet of paper, He then told her his responses:
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Disappointment - you will be encouraged - Unloved - you will feel loved
- Left - you will be chosen - picked out of a crowd
- Unseen - the real you will be seen and cherished
- Abused - you will be tenderly healed and protected from harm
- Shame - you will see & know your beauty, your glory will be seen
- Lost - you will be found
- Unheard - your voice will be raised to your own ears and to others
- Forsaken - your pain and brokenness will be seen yet you'll be embraced anyway
- Anger - your anger will move mountains of injustice when you turn it over to me
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"The whole time I was there was a wonderful meditation time on the cross. Like always the hour went past really quickly." |
The room was beautiful -I started reading Song of Songs 2:7 “Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.” I tried to ignore it but it kept coming back. Later in the worship session a lady stood up with the same scripture which amazed me. |
I hung out with my friends at midnight – it was fun! I went back in time, it was cool just being myself. One of my friends went to the table and ended up under it journaling the whole time like a little girl – it was great!
I’ve been wondering what to do with a room in my basement and last night after my prayer time I had a vision of having my own prayer room. I want to have this all the time!
God really met with us and Samie and I really enjoyed meeting people, hearing the women's stories and the bath tub! We loved it!