march prayer update

On My Heart

February has been a spiritually monumental month for me that has included public confessions and inner renewal. It began at the pastors and ministry leaders’ prayer summit at Cannon Beach. The Tuesday evening session’s first topic was confession regarding divisiveness. At the end of that season of prayer, God began to urge me in the strongest way to make a public confession about my own judgmental attitude toward people with a different view about our president. I hesitated to do this for two reasons: We had moved on from confession to another theme, and I feared being judged by people who had a different view, but the urging of the Holy Spirit was so strong in me that I went forward with my public confession. It felt very vulnerable and honest as I shared. It did not spark further confessions, which was somewhat surprising. After a short time, I slipped out of the meeting for reasons unrelated to the meeting itself.

            At 10:45 PM as I was sound asleep, I received two text messages informing me that my confession had eventually led to a deep season of repentance. They thanked me. I also received a phone call and voice message from someone that I felt hurt by a few times in the past.  The voicemail affirmed his love and respect for me which made me cry. I came away from that summit and marveling at the goodness and power of God.

            On Monday of this week, I attended a presentation by David Thomas. He was an overseer at the 2023 revival-like outpouring at Asbury College. At the time, that move of God was very hopeful and encouraging to me. As David spoke, I was both convicted and encouraged. As in early February, I felt prompted to make a public confession in front of about 150 people. My zeal for the Word, for lost souls and for revival had waned substantially since I experienced a profound move of God in 2006. After this public confession, the Lord laid several more things on my heart that he wanted to restore in me. I am so encouraged and strengthened by the work that he is doing in me. To God be the glory!

Speaking

I had the opportunity to teach on grief several times at a couple local high schools and my presentations were well received. I'm grateful for that and grateful that my March Sunday morning speaking calendar is full. Please pray that the fullness that I am experiencing would spread to others.

Pastors

Prayers are appreciated as we (Transform Lebanon) host a “Evangelism for Quiet People workshop for people from Lebanon churches Friday evening, February 28 and Saturday morning March 1. May the Lord both ignite a desire to see lost people reached and impart skills that will lead to higher quality friendships with those who don’t know Christ.

 
GENERAL PRAYER

Pastor Ed covets your prayers. You can use the acronym OAR to pray for his speaking ministry. 

O—Open doors of ministry

A—Anointing

R—Responsive audiences

Pray also for wisdom as he mentors Adult and Teen Challenge students, open doors and open hearts for sharing the gospel on the street and fruitful ministry as he connects with pastors and ministry leaders in Lebanon and throughout the region.