OUR 20TH ANNIVERSARY AND THE COMING CONTEMPLATIVE REVOLUTION
Looking forward to the next 20 years of the prayer room, let us consider:
Where is the global church headed? Where is the prayer movement going? What should our outlook and narrative be in these dark, even confusing days?
At the end of the day—that is, the end of natural history, we know that Jesus is coming back for a pure and spotless beautiful Bride that He bled and died for out of extravagant love. Eph 5:25 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”
The book of Haggai (2:9) talks about, “…the glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former…”. In these last days since Pentecost, the Church has been infused with the Gift of the Indwelling Holy Spirit. It has become a living temple that far surpasses the glory of the former temple built by Solomon or rebuilt by Zerubbabel. Since we have been given such a great gift as the Indwelling Holy Spirit,
How then shall we live?
The Apostle Paul spoke of this mystery of the Indwelling even saying that, “… it’s no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me…” (Gal 2:20). The Apostle Peter also shedding light on this mystery of the Indwelling says that we “….have been given…exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature…” (2 Peter 1:4).
Though these Bible verses are quoted often, how much have we really entered into the mystery of Christ in us? How often do we sin by the neglect of the Holy Spirit in us?
Though we are so grateful for 20 years in the prayer movement with thousands of hours of prayer and worship, how is it that we still barely know the Man Jesus for who He really is? What if in the next 20 years, we endeavor to KNOW THE MAN as we have never known Him? This is only possible through deep prayer—contemplative prayer-to enter deeply into the biblical mystery of Christ in us and through us to the world around us. A contemplative revolution is on the horizon for the global church.
Before His return, His Bride will know Him deeply and intimately! His Bride will be desiring to share in His sufferings, His death, and His resurrection in fullness.
St Francis of Assisi —at the end of his life—after giving of himself a poured out extravagant offering out of deep love for His Savior—says to his brothers: “Brothers, we must begin again, for up till now we have done little!” We are in a similar place. After 20 years of pursuing God in prayer and fasting night and day—we must begin again for up till now we have done little! A contemplative revolution is needed.
How can we dialogue across the denominational lines and learn from our brethren who carry the rich tradition of contemplative prayer?
How is it that the prayer movement barely knows about the masters of prayer in the history of the Church such as St John of the Cross and St Teresa of Avila, as well as many other Saints that lived Holy lives that we still have their writings which span hundreds of years of tested time in their masterpieces, yet we barely know them and most have not read their works on prayer.
As EBPF, we need to intentionally look FORWARD and see how we can “begin again” in the place of prayer, going much deeper and further in communing with the Indwelling Holy Spirit. What are practical steps that can be taken to deepen our lives in prayer—not to just merely go around the clock in prayer—but to KNOW THE MAN in deep love and adoration that knows no bounds.
We invite you to celebrate East Bay Prayer Furnace’s 20-Year Anniversary with us on September 18, featuring a 20-hour Prayer Burn representing 20 years of ministry. The prayer room will open at 4:00 AM and remain open through midnight. Throughout the day, we’ll host devotional, intercession, and worship with the word sets, creating space to encounter God in prayer and contemplation.
Beginning at 7:00 PM, we’ll gather for an evening celebration that includes worship and prayer, two powerful messages from guest speakers Todd Beery (Chicago HOP) and Dr. Anthony Lilles (St. Patrick’s Seminary), a roundtable conversation, and a panel discussion centered on the theme of the Contemplative Revolution. We’ll close the night together with worship, ending at midnight. Food, fellowship, and meaningful connection will be part of the celebration, and we would love for you to be there.
If you’d like to participate in any way, whether leading or joining a prayer and worship set during the day, serving as a section leader to help steward the room, bringing snacks, or helping in any other simple way, we’d love to have you be part of it. Just let us know when you RSVP.
Please RSVP by emailing aknight@ebprayerfurnace.org or texting (925) 858-1607 to reserve your spot.
Blessings,
Amy Knight
Director, East Bay Prayer Furnace
20 Hour BURN begins 4am on Sept 18
Evening festivities begin at 7pm and go till midnight