It’s almost 11-11-11 and my heart is in danger. Psalm 84 verse 2 says:
My soul longs, yes, even faints
For the courts of the LORD;
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
How is it with your heart, my friend? Are you on track for the birthing of the purposes of God on 11-11-11 at Ford Field? Or has the long 40 day journey wearied you and caused your excitement and anticipation of God doing great things in our city and for our state waned as the days of fasting and praying have gone by?
I have to admit; for me, it’s been a bit of a roller coaster ride. Sometimes I’ve felt so much passion and excitement for what God wants to do that I thought I was going to burst; and at other times I have felt like I did when I was pregnant and waiting for my babies to be born…can’t we just get this over with?!!
Perhaps you have felt some of these same feelings. I would urge you however, with all of my meager persuasive skills to press on for the finish line. I remember when I was in school that my gym teacher would say that when you run track, you need to pace yourself so you have something left for the final push at the end. I don’t know if you have saved something for the final push or not; but I am praying that both I, and you, will have the grace from God to finish the race well. Maybe, like me; 1 Corinthians 9:24 is popping into your mind right now: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.”
Indeed there are very good reasons to finish this race well. I’m going to give you some links to some things that I don’t want to take up the space in this newsletter to re-publish; but I hope you will go and see/read these things. They are very important.
The first one is a link to a short; (less than one minute) video from the Washington Post. In it you will see a sea of Muslims gathering for the annual Hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca. On Friday, approximately 2.5 million Muslims from around the world arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform the required rituals and walk in the steps of the prophet Mohammed. This is a required once-in-a-lifetime journey for every Muslim who is able to do it – although many in close proximity to Mecca will complete the Hajj multiple times. If these disciples of Mohammed can make this pilgrimage by the millions; can we not make the trip to Ford Field by the tens of thousands?
The next link is for an an article from a publication called The American Muslim. The title of the article is: The Call Prayer 11-11-11 Gathering in Detroit: A Nightmare Not a Dream. Of course, our only goal is for them to know the love of Christ in their own hearts; but in it you will read how TheCall is viewed by the at least some Muslims. I do not know how many share the view expressed here; but it is something to be aware of and to pray about.
The third and final link I want to give you is for an excellent article that came out from The Elijah List today; November 5th. It is a bit on the long side, but I think it is an extremely important article to read through in it’s entirety because it gives some of the prophetic back story to TheCall that will help us to pray on Friday and Saturday in Ford Field with God’s heart and purposes. It is called: Will Ford: TheCall Detroit and the Road to Ford Field on 11-11-11
I believe that after you see/read these videos/articles; that your heart, like mine, will be infused with a passion for the purposes of TheCall. A CALL that He clearly has orchestrated and assigned to take place at Ford Field on 11-11-11; but only each of us as individuals can choose how we will answer.
FINAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CALL
- If you have not yet registered online for TheCall; you should head right over to www.thecall.com and do so right away. There is no charge for this solemn assembly; but you will avoid extra time getting into Ford Field if you already have your ticket.
- Be sure and check the list for ITEMS NOT PERMITTED IN FORD FIELD. This will save you from having to take items back to your car that are not allowed. By the way; this is not to pick on the people coming to TheCall; these are the rules for ALL events held at Ford Field.
- Remember; this solemn assembly is a Fast; not a Festival – however, the concession stands will be open to purchase food and drinks as no outside food or beverages (including your own bottles of water) are allowed to be brought in.
- DO COME prepared to give an offering. Lou Engle’s heart is to have MORE than the expenses met so that TheCall can leave a gift for the city after TheCall is over.
- DO COME early on Friday. Lou Engle has recommended to arrive by 4:30pm. There will be pre-Call worship and prayer beginning at 4:30pm.
- DO BE prepared for the necessary security measures that each attendee will undergo as you enter Ford Field. This is for the safety of ALL of us!
