Tuesday, December 6, 2011

My preach: A Cry for His Presence

A few weeks back, I and the two other IHOPU students serving here at the International House of Prayer Atlanta were asked to preach the two Sunday services. It was a blast! I absolutely love the community here, and was grateful for the opportunity extended to teach. 


Here is Part I:
Here is Part II:

We are now rounding out our last days serving here as "externs" at IHOP Atlanta. The "externship" is a new  one semester program set up for fourth-year IHOPU students to serve "externally" at another house of prayer. We are indebted to this house of prayer for teaching us what it looks like to love well, both God and people. We have gleaned so much, and I am grateful for the opportunities I've had to grow in leadership and for the truths imparted to me.
Here is a sneak peak of a promo we made for IHOPU explaining the "externship" program:

Many blessings and thank you for helping to make the work of night and day prayer possible!
Your sister, Lauren

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

THE CALL DETROIT

I was able to join over 27,000 intercessors this past weekend at "The Call Detroit" which was a 24 hour "shut-in" at Ford Field of prayer and fasting for the city of Detroit and for our nation. We went daring to believe that God could turn around a city that many have forsaken.

It was a powerful time.

 No Cost. Just Sacrifice. The Call Detroit 11.11.11



Monday, November 7, 2011

Intercession Monday morning

So my last post was a "mock" worship with the word prayer set over the life of Barnabas for a class presentation.
This post is an actual prayer set here at IHOP-Atlanta. I lead the 10am intercession meeting every Monday. You can get somewhat of an idea of what the prayer room looks like and what it is I do.
In this prayer time I was praying for two things. 1. "GBF" which stands for Global Bridegroom Fast. The first Mon-Wed of every month IHOP-Atlanta, IHOP-Kansas City, and believers across the nations set apart to fast because of longing for the Bridegroom (Jesus), or to receive a longing for the Bridegroom. 2. I prayed for "The Call Detroit," a 24/7 prayer vigil this weekend on 11-11-11. I prayed that God would raise up youth that are consumed with the surpassing value of Christ, and are ministers of reconciliation/justice.

Here is a quick video of a prayer time I called, called "Rapid Fire Prayer." It is when people in the room come up to prayer generally 10-20 seconds for a prayer topic.

Thanks for stopping by! Many blessings from the International House of Prayer-Atlanta!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Life of an Apostle: Barnabas

Week Three here at IHOP-ATLANTA (http://www.ihop-atlanta.com/) and I am loving it!
My vision for the house of prayer is being greatly strengthened, I am growing in my leadership gifting, and falling in love with those I'm running with more and more. It is truly a privilege to give my life to night and day worship and prayer to the only One worthy of it, Jesus Christ. Sometimes I think about how 24/7 worship and prayer could be viewed as too much, excessive, or too radical, except for the fact that Jesus alone is worthy of it. It is the only reasonable response to His Beauty and Worth. That is how it happens in the Throne Room of heaven, day and night they do not cease to praise Him. God is raising up a generation of lovesick warriors and worshippers who will sit at Christ's feet like Mary of Bethany, hearing His word and beholding his beauty, and this part will not be taken from them (Luke 10:42). His Beauty necessitates a response.

I am in my last year of ministry school at IHOPU (International House of Prayer University). I am continuing to take classes though here in Atlanta for a semester through the e-school. Monday we had to turn in a group project concerning the life of an apostle in the early church. My group chose Barnabas. Thought I would share it with you as well. Let me know what you think!

To better explain the video, the first is a "worship with the Word" experience around the life of Barnabas. I chose 5 different scenes in his life that we spontaneously sang around, in an antiphonal style. It is supposed to be humorous, but also truthful regarding snippets of this powerful apostle's life. The second video is a brief oral presentation concerning some of Barnabas' journey in ministry.
May you be blessed!

Friday, September 2, 2011

Surprise!!

Today I was surprised...

I was surprised with a package from my sister! I happened to be gazing out the window when I see the postman walking to the door with a box. I open the door and grab it from him. Lo and behold, it was for me! From my sister. Puzzled and excited (it wasn't my birthday, or any special occasion) I open it and am filled with joy, excitement, and glee as I read the card and slowly go through every goodie inside the box! I couldn't stop smiling, filled with joy and excitement down to discovering the last item. I love surprises! I always feel like God set me up.

Can you imagine Him (humor me) saying this morning as I awoke and prepared for the day: "Today's the day!..She has no idea!..(to the angel) Michael shhh...I've got to see this!" He's sitting on the edge of His throne...elated with excitement, bubbling. He thought the whole thing up! There I am sitting and reading on the couch, not a clue. The one morning I happen to be home, and by the door...here comes the mail man...Can you imagine the excitement in God's heart as everything is unfolding? I can! God totally loves to surprise us, to show up in the big and small things. He's cheering us on, in the small things holding our hands and celebrating our small victories and the big breakthroughs. He's celebrating my sister and filled her with joy and love as she put the package together. He's been delighting in me, in both the big and small and He just loves...loves to reveal who He is to us.

Wherever you are...whether working through areas of offense in your heart, in a seemingly dry spell, feeling distant from God, wherever and whatever it doesn't matter...God's inviting you to know Him. He's not far. You can have as much of God as you so desire: Open your Bible, sing to Him, pour out your heart and ask for Him to open your eyes to who He is. He will. I love the God of surprises!
If you have any prayer requests feel free to leave them in the comment or email me.

Friday, August 19, 2011

God's call for your life: to love God

I think you will greatly enjoy this brief 10-minute message on the First and Greatest Commandment. Tell me how it impacted you!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

The God who waits...

God wants to hear our voices.
When was the last time He heard your voice in the secret place? He longs to hear our voices.
Isa. 30:18-19-"..the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you...He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry; When He hears it, He will answer you."

The Lord says He wants to be gracious to you, but He waits for the sound of your cry. He's not in a hurry. God actually waits for something.  It's your voice. And when He hears it, Isaiah 30 says, then He will answer you. God starves us out of our prayerlessness by withholding things until we ask Him, because He wants interaction with our hearts. Too busy to pray? He'll wait (and so will you). There is so much more (revelation, wisdom, understanding, direction, provision, relational/emotional/physical healing, etc) God has for you...but He WILL NOT RELEASE IT until He hears from you.

Phil 4:6-7-Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer...let your requests be made known to God...

God is waiting to be gracious to you, and He will wait until He hears your cry. Its your voice that He is longing to hear, and no one can raise your voice but you. This is about relationship; It's about intimacy with God. Often I have found myself worrying about something, over thinking it, calculating it, talking to friends about it (losing time and energy)...but have I made it known to God? How much sleep have you lost worrying about something? Quit your fretting and make your requests known to God. Get known in heaven. Persistent, believing prayer changes things. Does God know you (Matt 7:21-13)?

He's longing to hear your voice. Will you lift up? He's waiting.

And for Fun, a video from last year (I'm on the drums):

From Hope City

Monday, April 25, 2011

The Lord is enough for us and We are enough for Him

Family and Friends,

This is a short preach I did in my practicum last week on being enough for God. I pray it blesses you!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

The Fear of the Lord

John Mulinde from Uganda visited IHOP about a week ago.
As we enter into this Lenten season, this is a timely word. The Bible says the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. John speaks about how the Lord appeared to him, and the result is the fear of the Lord. Watch: