May 17-22 Prayer School

After prayer group last night we were talking and the outcome was that I extended an invitation to Pastors Karl Kruse and Bjorn Petersen to lead a week long "Prayer School" called Heart to Heart with God at our church from Monday. May 17 through Friday, May 21 (8:30 - 5:00 p.m.) and then 8:30 to noon on Saturday, May 22.

The main leader is Pastor Bjorn Pedersen.  Pastor Bjorn graduated from Concordia College (Moorhead, MN) in 1968 and 1971 from Luther Northwestern Seminary. He lived in the Alexandria, MN area--working there as a banker and as a part time preacher.  On Sunday, April 27, 1986, God gave him a vision of prayer for the worldwide body of Christ, described in scripture as Christ's bride.  For ten years, from the late 1980s until 1997, he served as Pastor of Prayer at Community Church of Joy in Glendale, Arizona.  During that time he provided many prayer growth opportunities, including the College of Prayer with nearly 100 different courses. In 1997 Pastor Bjorn launched Prayer Watch International. Bjorn Pedersen is also the author of the book: “Face to Face with God in Your Church: Establishing a Prayer Ministry” published by Augsburg-Fortress. 

The Heart To Heart With God Prayer School focuses on Waiting on the Lord, Learning to Recognize His Voice, and Obediently Doing What He Says.  In the John 10 scripture for the upcoming Good Shepherd Sunday on April 28, Jesus says "My sheep hear my voice."  This shepherding analogy means that ordinary human beings who trust Jesus are given the ability to hear Jesus and be led by him.  Those who attend this prayer school will learn through experience how hearing God's voice can be a part of our every day lives.

On the Prayer Watch International Website Heart to Heart with God is known as "Prayer School Three" but there is no reason to take the first or second before the third. Here is a further description of what you can expect:

"Heart to Heart with God is designed to develop a deeper and more personal relationship with Jesus. ...Prayer is a relationship between God and His people. The relationship is greatly enhanced by meaningful communication.

"Prayer is meant to be a dialogue. Meaningful prayer needs to include times of listening to what God wants to share. In order to effectively listen, believers need to recognize the voice of God and how He speaks. Heart to Heart with God also trains believers in how to journal what is received during listening prayer times. There exist, however, hindrances to hearing and recognizing God's voice. After God has spoken, He will confirm His message. How does He do that? All of these areas are major courses in Heart to Heart with God. Add to this learning important principles of guidance, recognizing false guidance and knowing God's will."

THE CURRICULUM

• Orientation and Overview
• Preparation: Establishing a Strong Prayer Foundation 
• Prayer Journaling Training and Practice (processing) 
• Applying the Theory to Daily Life and Ministry
• Graduation and Commissioning: Go and do it!

More details will be forthcoming.  Contact our church office at 320-286-5964.

www.equalsharing.com