Tuesday Prayer: The Backbone of Blue Sky Acres
If you were to ask any of us how Blue Sky Acres got started, we’d tell you... on our knees with eyes closed and hands raised.
Over two years ago, one man obeyed God and committed to praying every week for Effingham county, specifically the people and horses involved with the therapeutic riding community. He hasn’t stopped since.
His faithfulness of solitary prayer has grown to a group of 8-12 dedicated people. When I say dedicated, I mean they make it a top priority to be there every single week, with one thing in mind, to seek the face of God.
Dr. David Jeremiah, a well-known pastor and author said, “There are a lot of folks who go to prayer, not to ascertain the will of God, but to ask Him to do what they want. Prayer is not getting God to adjust his program to what we want, it is adjusting our lives to the revealed will of God. When we pray, it isn’t God who changes, it’s us…”
From the very beginning, Blue Sky Acres has made Christ the center of everything. We don’t want to take one step without His leading. This is summed up perfectly in Psalm 25: 4-5 Make me to know your ways O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. We are committed to living and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, reflecting Him in all we do and say. This begins with prayer. Prayer is simply talking with God, having fellowship with Him. When we gather each week, we begin with praise and worship, gratitude and thanksgiving, giving Him the honor He is due. We then allow the Holy Spirit to guide the tone of the prayer session. Most of the time we have specific things that need prayer - land for BSA, our students, parents and volunteers, etc - but sometimes individuals bring things that need to be set before the Lord. We lift up the community and our nation as well. Nothing is too small or too big to bring to God.
“God is waiting to be involved in our activities, and yet because we were given freedom, He does not force Himself on our situations... He waits for us to ask—to connect with Him in prayer.”- Dr. Tony Evans.
We have seen God moving through the prayers of His faithful ones from day one! The Lord blessed us right away with the ability to set up shop and use the property and horses of a generous volunteer in Guyton, GA. He granted us favor in the eyes of the federal government when we received our 501c3 designation in record time! We have experienced overwhelming support from local churches, companies and individual donors in the form of financial provision, prayer and the use of buildings for staff and planning meetings. The Lord just seems to be doing all the work for us! He has even connected us with people in our own community who have the expertise to help us develop two of our programs. We have learned that His timing is everything! We don’t want to run ahead of Him for fear that our plans would not be in alignment with the better thing He has for us.
“God has promised to supply all of our needs. What we don’t have now, we don’t need now.”- Elisabeth Elliot
This time set aside each week has become the backbone of Blue Sky Acres. It is the heartbeat that sustains all that we do, the life blood if you will. It has also become a precious time of togetherness with friends and volunteers that have become more like family. We could not and would not operate Blue Sky Acres without this privileged time of prayer with one another before the Most Holy God, with our eyes closed in reverence, our arms lifted in praise to Him.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
If you would like to come pray with us, we meet on Tuesdays at 12:00pm at Grace Community Church in Rincon.
From the desk of Jackie Garman