“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” – James 5:16 (NKJV)
Churches usually mark the end of the year with camp meetings. In preparation for such meetings, spiritual leaders and church workers put in a lot of effort to ensure attendees make the most of every minute. You also have a part to play in ensuring you receive all God has for you in these meetings. One important thing to do is pray.
A camp meeting is not a social gathering but a spiritual one, and to maximise your experience, prayer cannot be overemphasised. As you make travel and feeding plans, you can develop a specific prayer plan by setting aside dedicated times and topics to pray about the camp meeting. This helps you stay intentional and focused as you prepare.
Prayerfully set expectations, having faith that they will be met and exceeded (Ephesians 3:20). Pray also that you would be a vessel through which God meets the expectations of others as you should set your heart not only to receive from God but to minister to others (Ephesians 4:16). Pray earnestly for the spiritual growth and blessings of others, as this deepens your sense of purpose and compassion.
One of the goals of a camp meeting is to remind people of the Gospel and, therefore, pray that more people may come to know Christ as a consequence of the gathering (1 Timothy 2:3-4). Pray that God’s Word will spread quickly and prevail throughout the world and that more people will be spared from condemnation and enter into a relationship with the Lord (Acts 19:20).
Pray specifically for the ministers, asking God to grant them utterance and endue them with clarity and boldness (Ephesians 6:19). Also, pray for the workers, that they are empowered to support the meeting effectively, carrying out their tasks with grace, excellence, and wisdom. These are but a few of many things you can pray about.
You can pray alone, with your friends, or form accountability groups to support one another. This will help you feel connected and encouraged as you prepare for the camp meeting.
Listen, making prayer your highest priority as you prepare for a camp meeting will prepare your heart for all God will do.
DO THIS: Set out time today to prayerfully set your expectations for any camp meeting you would be attending.
Bible Reading Plan: Ezekiel 45–46; John 7:53–8:24
