We were able to record and upload the video from the other night, where I shared about:

• My trip to Israel

• Conversations and experiences I had

• How God asked me to pray

• God’s heart for Jews and Muslims

• What it was like to be there during wartime

• Many other things!

I went to Israel because I feel the Lord sent me and gave me His heart to pray for the people there. He told me He wasn’t asking me to have opinions on politics or the government, but to focus on love for people. I went because He wanted me to sow my tears into the region, and to declare His Kingdom, which is one not like the kingdoms of this world. You can read more about the story behind it here. Though I’ve always wanted to see sacred biblical sites, what this trip ended up being and what’s come because of it has been no easy ask. But I wouldn’t choose anything other than to obey Him.

Before you go to the video link, there are a few discrepancies or things I want to note from my talk:

1. I talk about “being there 11 days” — what I mean is that I was away from home for 11 days, including all of my travel to and from, plus days in Israel and Egypt.

2. I know that there are various interpretations of Romans 11, and I welcome hearing from anyone who would like to share theirs with me! For now, I feel compelled to contend for the fullness of that chapter by praying for the descendants of Jacob, who was renamed Israel (so I’m talking about people here), and for those descended from the ones who were first given the covenant and the promises, from whom our Jesus came, to see clearly their true Messiah. Because they are still waiting, as I witnessed up close and personal!

3. I reference Rev 20 (around 13:40), but mean Rev 22.

4. Orthodox Jews (15:00) don’t pray all night; they pray 3x per day. On this flight, many of the men were getting up at different times to fulfill that, so it felt like someone was praying at all times throughout the night. The plane was VERY active with the men doing their prayers!

5. I mention the Jewish woman on the plane talking about persecution of her people since “the beginning of time,” but what was said was “all throughout time.” (She was referring to what’s been called in history, “the longest hatred,” with ancient Roman and Babylonian exiles, Haman in Persia, medieval European crusades, Spanich Inquisition, blood libels, expulsions from England and Spain, Russian pogroms, and Nazi extermination, etc.)

6. Not all of us 120 women were in Paul’s cell at the same time—we took turns!

7. The Orthodox Jewish man’s cap is called a “kippah.”

8. The reason it took 10 hours to drive through the Sinai Peninsula was because of all of the precautions and checkpoints we had to go through.

9. I mentioned that the Egyptian gas workers wanted to show us solidarity; I meant in our group’s plight to get out of a region in war.

10. A further note on when I talk about the variations in Islam: The Qur’an is in classical Arabic, not modern Arabic, which makes it harder for many Muslims to fully understand. A significant number of Muslims, while they recite lines from it in prayer, do not read the Qur’an with a translation, so they often do not know what it is saying.

11. Someone asked me if we actually saw the missiles—YES. I have videos from outside our hotel, and below is just one heading toward Tiberias. We saw them, we felt them, we heard them, we smelled them.

Many Thanks

Thank you to my husband, who supported me from the very beginning and all the way through—not just with his prayers and excitement for me, but with very practical heavy lifting on the home front (before, during, and after my trip). Thank you to the York County Prayer team, who rocked it back home in being present in the prayer room—leading workshops and gatherings, praying with people, staffing, cleaning, watering plants, taking out trash.

Thanks to those of you who were able to come out and hear about my trip. Thank you to Old Town Church for the use of your building for this event, and to and Emily who helped things run so smoothly.

Thank you to the countless others of you who were praying for me while I traveled, including Lakeshore Christian Fellowship, who rallied and had many at the altar praying for us. Thanks to all of my friends and family, so many of you, who gave generous gifts to support my trip. Thank you to the countless ones of you who sent me scriptures and encouragement while I was there and when I got back. Thanks to my parents, who were such a support to me. Thanks to many in my 24-7 Prayer family, especially on the broader national team, for how you prayed for me and cheered my safe return. Thanks to the women and leaders I was on the trip with; so many of you were such a gift. And thanks to those who are interested, even if mildly, in what this trip stirred in me!

Much love to all of you guys…

Video HERE.

Timestamps:

00 Welcome / Thanks

1:35 How I’ve come back

3:04 What the trip was going to be vs. what schedule ended up being

3:35 Hard in the world; How to pray?

4:42 Different thoughts/feelings around a topic like Israel

5:35 Scriptures to set our hearts on hope before worship

6:50 Why I went to Israel

7:35 Lauren Lienhard’s share: an encounter she had while reading scripture/praying

13:01 The Bridal Paradigm / Psalm 45

14:46 Slideshow of trip begins / Plane ride - Orthodox Jews

17:19 Flying over the Holy Land

17:57 Food

18:28 Cessaria / Theater / Palace / Prison / Amazing Grace

20:22 Mt Carmel - Elijah / singing Let it Rain

21:35 Druze Community

23:18 Drive to Galilee / Village of Magdelena / Mt Beatitudes

24:12 Sea of Galilee / Where Jesus reinstated Peter, walked on water, etc

26:19 David’s Harp Hotel / Shabbat / Mezuzah

29:13 Rabbi’s family leading us through Shabbat

32:44 What are they waiting for (Messiah)?

33:58 Sat morning / Beginning of attacks

35:45 Sirens / Bomb shelters

41:16 Dream: “songbirds surround”

41:59 Evacuation plan / Drive to the Dead Sea

43:35 Jordan River / Wilderness Jesus was driven into

44:05 Dead Sea

45:09 Drive to Taba / Red Sea (Gulf of Aqaba)

46:02 Crossing the Sinai Peninsula

46:46 Egypt / Coptic Christians / Muslims

48:07 Sinai Peninsula / Prayers / Mt. Sinai

50:25 Crossing the Suez Canal / Africa / Dancing

51:46 Nile river cruise / Feasting & dancing - me getting called up!

53:53 Muslim culture / Variants in their expression of faith / Ramadan

56:41 Egyptian culture - Late nights / Driving

57:45 Pyramids day / Egyptian friends (the Asaads)

58:29 Sudanese refugees / Testimony of salvation (dream)

60:27 Closing / Roommate who lives and works in Jordan

60:55 Heart and spirit of Jesus

6140 Global Prayer for peace with 24-7 Prayer

61:57 Prayers for the Jewish people

62:45 What are we feasting on?

*There may be a surprise at the end, but for context, you really need to watch the whole video!

I’ve been home nearly two weeks, and one thing I know is that it’s going to take a while to unpack everything. I honestly don’t know where to begin. I haven’t really had the words since getting back. My primary language upon returning home has been tears. My heart knows what my mind hasn’t fully caught up to yet. The only things that have felt sufficient have been music, poetry, and praying in the spirit.

I know I was supposed to go on this trip to Israel. I don’t know all the reasons. I know I experienced God in a new way—that alone is worth any cost. I saw and experienced things that opened me up. Fileted and tenderized my heart. I don’t understand it all, but I say yes to Jesus.

If there’s one thing for sure I’ve learned on this trip, it is that there is much I do not know. If there’s one invitation, it is to humility.

I saw a thread all tangled, matted, and twisted. It was a mess, with complicated, impossible knots. The temptation was to chop it off, like those with long hair have had to do on occasion with an impossible dread—to just cut it and not deal with it is much easier. But I saw the Lord patiently and tenderly working at it, with joy and kindness. The work was painstakingly slow, but His thread was worth it. I sensed His invitation for us to join Him in love toward the very complex, multi-faceted issues surrounding Israel and the Middle East. This requires listening, love, and not thinking too highly of ourselves or our understanding.

He loves!

I would love to share my stories with you and answer any questions. I would love to together worship our very good God and enthrone Jesus in the midst of all the turmoil and questions. I would love to rend our hearts to His, and pray as He leads. May we be like little children.

Eat before coming. Kids are welcome, though parents will be responsible for them. If you have to step out with a young one who’s getting antsy, there is a lobby and a nursing room available.

Date: This Saturday, March 21, 2026

Location: Old Town Church, 47 Oakland Ave, Rock Hill, SC 29730 (right across from prayer room—if you haven’t been yet, we will give a tour directly after the event)

Time: 6:30-8:30 PM

“He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. ‘Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!’ The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” - Psalm 46:9-11

This week, March 16 through 22, 24-7 Prayer communities around the world are meditating on this Psalm and mobilizing for a Global Week of Prayer for Peace. Dozens of nations will set aside focused time to intercede for an end to suffering, violence, and war in the Middle East, Sudan, Ukraine, and in many other under-reported areas.

Here in York County, we feel God’s beating heart for the world and for those who do not know His perfect love. Among other things, we want to pray:

• That the eyes of hearts would be opened to Jesus, the Prince of Peace, and to His peace that is available at all times (Ephesians 1:17-18; Isaiah 9:6; John 14:27)

• For wisdom for those in authority, and contend for peace in the nations (1 Tim. 2:1-2)

• In remembrance of those who suffer (Heb. 13:3), praying they would be relieved and especially feel God’s nearness (Psalm 34:18)

• That the gospel will go forth powerfully (Matt. 9:37-38)

You can read more from 24-7 Prayer global and access their full prayer resources at 24-7prayer.com/peace.

There are several ways to join us this week.

ALL WEEK

Book a spot in the Rock Hill Prayer Room.

The prayer room will have printed prayer points available throughout the week. Come for an hour or more—alone or with others—and pray for peace, and for Jesus, The Prince of Peace, to reign and be revealed as you move through the space.

Prayer Room Schedule for This Week

Reserve for Private Prayer

ALL WEEK

Pray along with Lectio365, the guided prayer app from 24-7 Prayer.

Starting today, Sunday, March 15, this week will be scripturally anchored around praying for righteous peace and the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Download the app for Apple or Android devices.

MONDAY

Attend the Night of Prayer for the Muslim World at the Bob Jones Vision Center in Fort Mill, SC.

Monday, March 16th, starting at 6:00 PM.

This event coincides with the Night of Power during Ramadan, when Muslims around the world are praying, fasting, and asking God for dreams. The harvest in the Arab nations has been vast, as Jesus has been appearing to many in their dreams. Let’s partner with what God is doing and what He wants to do! May the Savior be known!

The evening begins at 6 PM with a Mediterranean-themed potluck meal, followed at 7 PM by a testimony from Mahreen Shamim, a friend of the prayer room who grew up Muslim and found Christ in college. From 7:30 to 9 PM, there will be worship and focused prayer for the Kingdom of God to expand among Muslims locally and worldwide.

Prayer materials will be available, and people of all ages are welcome. Bring a main or side dish to share.

See the full details on Facebook

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY

Join the 24-Hour Global Prayer Meeting.

On Tuesday, March 17, starting at 2:00 PM Eastern, 24-7 Prayer Global is hosting a 24-hour Zoom prayer meeting—led by leaders from different countries around the world. This will be a special and powerful opportunity to join with voices in many nations! You can join for one hour or more.

Sign-up details will be available on Monday at 24-7prayer.com/peace.

WEDNESDAY

Join us for an Evening of Local Corporate Prayer at the Rock Hill Prayer Room.

Wednesday, March 18, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM.

Using scriptures, we’ll pray together through specific prayer points for peace, revelation, and godly intervention—in the Middle East, Sudan, Ukraine, Israel, Iran, world leaders, and the global Church.

Details & RSVP

This event is open to the public. Adults and kids who are able to participate in prayer are welcome (no childcare provided).

SATURDAY

Lana’s Trip to Israel Debriefing (with special prayer time)

Event Details and RSVP Here

Lana Shaw will share about her recent trip to the Middle East, beginning in Israel and ending in Egypt. We will then cap our participation in the Global Week of Prayer with a time of corporate prayer and worship, with special emphasis on praying for the Jewish people to see Jesus as their Messiah (Romans 11) and other scriptural prayer points.

I was up early, sipping my coffee and listening to the morning Lectio. It was January 8th, and Pete Greig’s voice was encouraging the listener to move into the year fresh, leaving behind any ill-fitting words (put on us by others or by ourselves)—words not from God.

He asked, “What is the Lord speaking over you for this next year? What are His words?” We were then led to meditate on the scriptures that talk about Jesus giving us a new name, a personal name.

Jesus, what is my name? I felt my spirit ask.

The response was surprisingly immediate. So clearly I heard an answer.

“Hadassah.”

Hadassah? Did my brain just make that up?

Again, very distinctly in my spirit, I heard, “Look it up.” I knew it was Queen Esther's Hebrew birth name, but I didn’t know what the name itself meant.

I looked it up. Hadassah means "myrtle tree.”

That might seem obscure, but to me it was a direct ping in my heart. My mind immediately went back to about a year before, when I was at a friend’s house for a “soaking” night. A soaking night is where we gather to be in the presence of the Lord, often through prayer, worship, and stillness. These are often very restful nights, and usually after about an hour or so of being dispersed throughout the house to commune individually with Jesus, we come together and pray for one another. On this particular night, as the women were praying over me, my friend said, “Lana, this might sound weird, but I asked the Lord if you were a tree, what kind would you be? And I heard Him say, ‘myrtle tree.’”

I remember thinking, “that’s cool,” but then not giving it much afterthought. There were so many other things prayed over me that night that seemed more relevant at the time. And yet the Holy Spirit didn’t let me forget! The memory came rushing back the second I saw the meaning of Hadassah.

Okay, Lord, I’m listening. What do You want to say to me about Hadassah and the myrtle tree?

I began to journal all I could about both, looking things up and finding profound resonance in the deeper meanings. The Lord took me on a little treasure hunt that day, revealing gems and connecting dots. It was an incredible time as He continued to speak identity and purpose over me. All of that would have been enough. I had no idea what was about to come.

Let me pause here and back up to about a month prior. In December, I was on a prayer walk, asking God what word He had for me for 2026. Some of you may remember that our family always asks the Lord for a word for each of us for the year, a word to help give us focus. Once again, I heard very clearly and distinctly on that walk the word “prepare.”

(In case you might think I hear from the Lord this specifically all the time, let me say this is not often the way of things. There are many times when I’m asking Him to speak into something, but get absolute silence. There are times when I’m praying over a problem and have no strong sense of what the Lord is saying about it (other than, of course, the profound direction and guidance we always have from the scriptures). Sometimes He will drop clear words into our spirits, other times there’s just an unction, and very often His written Word is enough as we wait upon Him.)

But this time, I heard it clearly, and immediately my mind went to the image of the women in the Old Testament who would spend months in bridal preparation before going before the King.

“Now when it was each young woman’s turn to go before King Ahasuerus, after the end of her twelve months under the regulations for the women—for the days of their beautification were completed as follows: six months with oil of myrrh and six months with [sweet] spices and perfumes and the beauty preparations for women.” —Esther 2:12

When God spoke the name Hadassah over me, He reminded me of the word He gave me for the year, “prepare,” and that the very image that had come to my mind on the walk that day was exactly what Hadassah also had to do. And that physical picture of preparing with oil is exactly what we’re commanded to do spiritually in Matthew 25. Soak in the oil of His presence and intimacy so we will be ready and known when the Bridegroom comes.

There is so much He is showing me about why He gave me the word ‘prepare,’ and how it is not only for me but for the Bride of Christ. The layers of reflection and revelation will have to be for another post. But He’s had me in Psalm 45, Revelation 22, Matthew 3, Isaiah 40, Matthew 25.

All glorious is the bride in her inner chamber, her gowns are intertwined with gold…

The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’

Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight the paths in the desert…

And then, on my 48th birthday, He took me to Psalm 48.

Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King. Within her citadels God has made himself known as a fortress…We have thought on your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple. As your name, O God, so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with righteousness. Let Mount Zion be glad! Let the daughters of Judah rejoice because of your judgments! Walk about Zion, go round her, number her towers, consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever.

It’s hard to put into words, but the further I go into the Father’s heart and intimacy with Jesus, the more I find myself praying for Israel and longing for her to come into the fullness of Romans 11. My good friend talks about a vision she had one day while in deep travailing prayer; she was given a vivid picture of that beautiful council in Acts 15 (like she was visiting it in the spirit) where the Jewish apostles and elders gathered to discern the heart of the Lord regarding the new Gentile believers who had also received the Holy Spirit, and how to navigate this new paradigm. She saw these precious Hebrew fathers in the faith seeking the Lord on behalf of the Gentiles. And she saw a wedding ring, and the finger of the Lord traced it, and she heard, “Full circle!”

She felt His invitation for us who have been grafted in to now love our brothers back and press in to seek the Lord on behalf of our roots, on behalf of Israel, so that they may see their Messiah Yeshua!

Getting back to my personal story… it was on a Thursday that I heard the Lord speak ‘Hadassah’ over me, asking me to write down all I could about both her early life and her calling later as Queen Esther, along with the symbolism and characteristics of the myrtle tree. The very next day, on a Friday, I received a text from someone I didn’t know, the leader of the Global Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem. She had gotten my name from another ministry leader who had recommended me. She wrote:

I have an opportunity that is a significant blessing, a scholarshiped trip to Israel with a group of women leaders from around the world. Unfortunatley, it is time-sensitive as the trip is happening next month. We had a cancellation and need to get the details sorted for the person taking the slot. If you’re interested, please call me right away.

I had to read it about three times to make sure my eyes were seeing correctly. Is this real? I called her immediately with my questions, getting all the information I could, and told her that typically, my husband and I take our time with decisions like this, but that we would prayerfully look it over and get back to her right away. We got off the phone, then she sent me the link to all the information. I blinked when I saw the name of the trip:

“Awakened and Empowered: The Esther Mandate.”

She later texted me, “I really feel it’s you, I hope you can come, I’ve been praying, and I sense God has an appointment for you at the Wailing Wall.”

I could give so many more details about how God confirmed this trip. And even the backstory of how He had (and has) been preparing me for it. Matt and I felt complete peace to say yes, and it wasn’t about the offer of a free trip (as many of you know, I was offered a free international trip last fall, but I turned it down, hard as it was to do, because for whatever reason the Lord didn’t give us peace about that one). I don’t fully know all that He has in mind, but one thing I keep seeing as I pray into it is my tears being sown into the physical land, tears as seeds, like in Psalm 126. I feel it ties into my word for 2026 and into the the Spirit’s yearning to prepare and unify the Bride, so together we may cry to our Bridegroom, “Come!” My friend calls Israel “the wedding venue,” and like Psalm 48 invites, I want to “walk about” the land in prayer, considering and going through her citadels, where God has “made His love known.” Full circle!

Regardless of all that He is up to with this trip, on a personal level, it’s definitely a dream come true—to visit and see with my eyes the places I have read about in the Bible for most of my life. To walk where Jesus did and to be on the soil where He was born, where He died, where He was resurrected, and where He will come again. It is just like the Father to be about layers of deeper purposes while at the same time giving us the desires of our hearts. He is so much bigger and better than we know!

I invite you to pray for me (and with me). I leave in a few days and will be gone until March 6th. Already, there’s opposition, as tensions are increasing in the Middle East and storms brewing around New Jersey, where I fly out, but my peace remains unshakeable. I desire to be in the center of God’s will, come what may. If you would like to partner with me on this trip, especially through prayer covering (some of you have asked about financial, see note below) and be added to a WhatsApp group, let me know. I will do my best to give updates there in real time as I am able!

*The bulk of this trip is COVERED—airfare to Tel Aviv, lodging, meals, activities, etc—but of course with any travel, especially international there are many additional costs involved, including my airfare to our departure city, Newark, as well as fees, tips and spending money, so any seeds you want to give will be joyfully received. You can give through 24-7 Prayer YC and earmark it for the Israel trip, or you can Venmo me directly. Thank you so much to those who have already given to this trip to bless me on my birthday!!! Blessings!

**Someone reminded me recently that my music recommendations are appreciated! I love music of all kinds. Lately, I’ve been loving the new worship album Blue Tent Live by Amanda Cook, and I’ve also enjoyed a new-to-me Liberian artist called Mon Rovia (check out Field Song—there’s a huckleberry reference!—and Bloodline). But for this post, I have to recommend the song New Jerusalem featuring Jon Guerra.

(Prayer room hours for this week can be found here.)

Who is like the Lord? And what is He like?

Clothed in majesty and splendor, girded with strength, arrows sharp and true. He rides forth for the cause of truth, humility, and righteousness.

Behold His glory! But take not His humanity from Him; He earned it true. He is the most beautiful of all the sons of men. Like the Tabernacle—goat hair on the outside, all gold within. Humble and lowly, splendid and mighty. To bow low is to be crowned. He showed us the way; He shows us still. Will we let Him love us? Marry us? Will we bow to Him and let Him be our Lover-Lord?

He drips with the oil of joy; His robes hold the fragrance of myrrh, aloe, and cassia. Lovely-smelling spices, though their root words show another layer of meaning:

myrrh - symbolizing suffering and death; semitic root “m-r-r” means “bitter.”

aloe - Arabic root “al’uluh” meaning “bitter and shiny.”

cassia (cinnamon) - Hebrew word “qadad” meaning “to bend, to bow, to strip.”

The manifold wisdom of God!

To walk in humility, to strip ourselves of rights as He did His,1 to prefer others, to embrace suffering, to let the pain have its way in us. To face the bitter with God, not allowing the enemy to reframe it and tempt us to become bitter. This is how the bitter experiences become sweet. These fragrant oils are pathways. They carve us; they cut deep hallows, giving us the gift of caverns inside to contain more of His compassion, gratitude, joy.

Let the carving happen. Let yourself be filleted. It will hurt beyond what you think you can take, but what you long for is upon you! You are becoming.

Becoming like the most beautiful One. Rejoice! His joy is set before you.

“For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, thinking little of its shame…” - Hebrews 12:2 (my own translation from the Greek, as I think the word “despise” is not the best translation!)

Read Psalm 45 here and ponder our Jesus!

It is hard to caputre all the things God has done in the short time since the prayer room has been open. And it is just the beginning! Above are pieces of some of the responses that have been passed onto me in the pictured texts, but the bulk of this post will be a testimony written from a dear friend who none of us knew before she found her way into this space; now she is an integral part of our prayer room, Speak Up, and Tables communities. Our dear Noel. Read her powerful story below.

It has only been a few months since I first walked into the Prayer Room in Rock Hill, SC, and already I have seen the changes in myself and in my faith.

That day was difficult because, although a small light of hope had been growing in me, I was also filled with doubt, fear, and uncertainty. I felt I had been spiritually dying, even though God had done so much for me in my life. I was wrestling hard with the warfare of life, spiritual and otherwise. I had survived much, but still had to learn how to thrive.

As I was walking up the stairs to the prayer room, I kept asking myself, “Am I doing the right thing?” The day before, I had engaged in a long conversation with God. He showed up through poetry as I wrote feelings I knew I needed to explore. Still, I wondered, “Where do I start? What if I fail…at being?”

When I opened the door to the space, something happened that is difficult to put into words. A stream of light was coming in the very moment I walked in. It was unnaturally bright, and as it hit my face, I smiled and exhaled. I looked around in disbelief. How is this possible? I saw the couches, chairs, books, journals, and another room around the corner. I was in disbelief at all I saw before me. For years, my heart had been aching to touch a wailing wall, and there it was! My eyes took in a painting station, a forgiveness station, and all the art throughout the rooms for reflection on walking with Christ. The poem I had written the day before seemed to mirror the intention in those paintings hanging so beautifully on the wall. Without thinking, I just sat on the floor and began to write with my hand on the wailing wall.

My hand was moving, and I sensed my heart opening. Words about forgiving those who have wronged me, even as I have been forgiven. I felt I was being reborn in the image God intended for me. Intention is a powerful word, and it was so evident in this space. Intentional words of reflection, intentional design, and intentional prayer. Prayer began to come forth from me in a fierce way. Prayers for my mom, who was about to go through surgery. Prayers of thanks for all God has done for me in my life, in both my darkest times and in all that has brought me so much love and joy.

What felt most significant on that first visit was that after years of therapy, group and self-recovery efforts, it was all there. So many things I had been encouraged to do in my journey to recover from trauma were right there in the stations of the prayer room! Each one had another prompt toward healing and freedom. The mirror in the Identity station offered time to let go of the image I had held onto of myself, and helped me begin to see the Christian woman He designed without shame. And the windows throughout! My degree is in environmental design, and I could write a book about the importance of large windows. The way everything was placed felt Spirit-led. I instinctively knew: the Holy Spirit dwells here.

A friendly and warm face popped around the corner, scaring me, which made me laugh out loud. I learned her name was Lauren, and she and others in the community there would become dear friends. I cannot thank her enough for her authentic and meaningful prayer that day. And a full belly laugh as well! That was another huge breakthrough, prayer hands on me without feeling uncomfortable or afraid. Trust. I trust this. I trust this process. I trust in salvation. I trust I was led here. I trust these hands and these words. I trust. My intellect taking a back-seat, my body relaxed, and purpose and truth in me being watered like parched seeds.

What has come since that day continues to be a journey, and I have slowly let things go that have needed to go. My life is cleaning up, habits are changing, and I have been reminded of the unconditional love of Jesus Christ.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:3-5)

These words really feel true in this space.

When I reflect on my walk, it has not been perfect. When I think of the ways I coped, they were sinful. When I think of some of the ways I tried to heal, they were wrong. When I think of all I have lost, I am humbled. When I think of the times I hurt others with words, I am shaken. And yet all of those wrong ideals led me here, to this moment, in this place, to realize I am worthy.

What a world this would be if everyone could use a Prayer Room like this to navigate their healing and to strengthen their commitment in daily life. Here, those on the edges or who have felt forgotten can find community and safety. Here, people who thought they were not artists or writers are finding a new way to communicate with God. Here, people can come for soul care—it’s offered in the space itself, as well as in the people who volunteer here, as well as in the activities that take place. And I wish that more would use it! It is for everyone. I could imagine women going to a spa day to decompress, beginning or ending that session with time in the prayer room to spiritually center. Or people who are about to travel gathering in this space to pray for protection and safety first. Church staffs or business teams taking time to seek wisdom for the seasons ahead. That is the world I see: one full of hope when I open those doors each day.

People in my life have noticed a significant change in my daily attitude and how I deal with stress, anxiety, and flashbacks. My desires have changed. I now no longer want to rely on things that don’t align with my faith. For years, I felt I had to hide my faith; honestly, doing that was not only inauthentic, it was soul-depleting. I know I am not alone in feeling that way. But then a spark ignited! The flame started small, and I found myself with others who not only wanted to nurture my faith, but who show me how to orient my whole life by it. Then there is the Speak-Up community… I could write a novel on the foundation it’s being built on and the importance of that community with so much positivity and HOPE! I cannot thank God enough for what He has done. I know there will be a day soon when, without thought or no hesitation in marvelous supernatural glee, my hands will be up and wide open, and my arms will be reaching for the sky in praise. For now, quietly…I am beaming from the inside and learning each day the gifts we can receive when we come together and give thanks to our Lord and Savior. AMEN!

If you haven’t spent time alone or with others in the prayer room, I can’t recommend it enough. You just may have to do it the old-fashioned way: see it to believe it. If someone had tried to describe it to me, I am not sure it would have done it justice.

I recently read somewhere that a family calls the time between Christmas and New Year’s the “un-week.” I liked the sentiment—naming it in a way that acknowledges the allowance of a week with no expectations, no appointments, no pressure. Pajamas and puzzles and books and games and walks—all day, if you please. Many seem to take a collective exhale from the frenzy of the season leading up to Christmas, and there’s this unspoken permission to hunker down, hobbit-like, as the year melts into its finish line. Slow, yet gone before you know it—a sunset into the ocean.

Sometimes, the “un-week” gets filled, as it’s also a time of trying to see family and gather with loved ones who are on break or in town. Ours has been a mix.

Regardless of how your week shakes out, I pray you take time as 2025 comes to a close. Take time to notice the “sunset” of this past year. To reflect on its pains and joys. The way it has sung and the way it has stung. All of these are important to do with the Lord. A great tool for this is to do a yearly examen; here is one that is helpful.

Our family also asks the Lord what He wants to say to us about our new year. We each ask for a word to help give us focus. We set before Him all the things we do or are involved in, and ask if we are to continue in these things. We take time to really listen.

It’s not always easy to make the time for these things, but it’s always worth it. My prayer is that you will be able to do so this week! And if it helps, we have a few days (Monday and Tuesday) when the prayer room will be open. Give yourself (which will also be a gift to those you influence, whether family or community) the gift of undistracted hours in this space to seek the Lord.

We will also be gathering corporately to spend five hours in intercession and listening this Tuesday night (8 PM - 1 AM). Register to join us here.

On Tuesday, we will also share a post here of some testimonies that have come from the prayer room since opening just four months ago. God has done great things! And the great things are often the little things—I love how He works. If you are looking for ministries to sow into with your year-end giving, the prayer room could greatly use any gift. Thank you to all those who have given and have kept it stocked and running!

We bless you and pray that the rest of your 2025 is rich; that your eyes may be open to the wonder of it all—the “sings” and the “stings”—and that you may be fully present for its glorious setting.

I’m looking forward to this. This is my friend Lisa Marie’s vision, but honestly, it’s exactly what we were feeling was needed. A multiple-hour prayer time. Time to linger, wait, settle in. Time to be fully present to the Lord who is worthy. Time to pray, really pray. Seeking His heart and agreeing with it over our land, our churches, our schools, our families, our streets.

I know it’s a busy time, but I keep thinking about the quotes, “If we want different, we have to do different. If nothing changes, nothing changes.” Rock Hill and the surrounding areas in the Carolinas are ripe for harvest! Let’s seek His face, His kingdom, His righteousness—for this area and for ourselves. Anything we give up for this will be repaid in measures we can’t fathom!

Pillows and chairs will be available at the prayer room. There will be times together and times to spread out into various spaces. Hosted by Lisa Marie and When the Remnant Pray.

Sign up here.

This morning, we enjoyed our last Advent Sunrise Prayer of the season and had a very full and sweet group that came to join in the delight. What a glorious way to start the Christmas holiday! You can view the beautiful photos and videos captured this morning here (thanks and !) and hear reflections from the time from attendee here.

During last week’s Advent Sunrise Prayer, my friend wrote and shared some insightful thoughts on the blessing of waiting. Enjoy his reflections below!

(Note: he reflects on important scenes from the end of the book by C.S. Lewis, “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.” If you have not yet read that book or are unaware of the ending, this is your spoiler alert.)

It’s another beautiful morning in the prayer room. It’s so nice to be in the prayer room! Today is a sunrise Advent gathering. My friend Noel is leading us through scripture, prayer, and meditating on the Lord.

As I sit in prayer, I am reminded of a scene from the Chronicles of Narnia. In the book “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” by C.S. Lewis, the good creatures of Narnia are battling the White Witch and her evil minions. There is a moment when the eldest of the Pevensie children, Peter, is fighting with the witch. Things were looking grim. Aslan (the great Lion) shows up at the last moment, kills the witch, and turns the tide of the battle.

The Chronicles of Narnia series has many parallels to the Bible, our relationship with Christ, and the saving work He did on the cross. As I compared Aslan’s seemingly late arrival on the scene…I had a question about God’s timing.

Why does God wait to move or to let things happen at a certain time?

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6)

Thinking back to the Chronicles of Narnia, the creatures waited so long under the witch’s spell of an eternal winter. Aslan could have returned sooner and saved the day. He had the power to destroy the wicked witch. But he waited for a particular moment—when Peter and his army had almost lost, when defeat was close at hand.

Why do you wait for your particular moment, Lord? Not, “Why don’t you rescue sooner?" but “Why do you wait for these particular moments to show your full power?”

Maybe there is something learned or gained in the long, cold winter? Maybe it takes us a while to thaw out and become fully alive? Maybe You believe in the process? In the slow waiting for the sun to rise.

I picture two of the heroes of the story, the beaver couple, sitting together in their cozy little beaver-dam house, long before Aslan’s return. Patiently and hopefully waiting for Aslan to return, winter to end, spring to come again. They waited expectantly. Ready to see the signs that Aslan’s return and the end of winter were near.

How do I wait patiently and rejoice in the middle of winter? How do I embrace the cold and appreciate the cozy little beaver’s dam God has given me in the middle of the freeze? And without slowly becoming lazy and unaware? What does that look like in my life right now?

I don’t know that I have answers to all those questions. But I do believe the King is returning. I believe that He has the power to rush in and save the day. And if I currently find myself in a winter of life, I want to learn how to embrace this season. And trust that He will show up and come to the rescue in His perfect timing.

Lord, I don’t want to miss the lessons that come from winter.

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. (Romans 5:3,4, ESV)

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. (Isaiah 30:18)

Winn Collier mapped it well: “Advent is ache and silence…for the helpless, the heartbroken, the world-weary. It’s for those who have no words, no capacity to name how sorrow or regret or evil have shattered their lives. In Advent, we face what’s terrifying, crushing, and harsh, owning how helpless we are to concoct any remedy.”

Death of loved ones. Death of strangers. Death of those beloved by beloveds. Deaths from the past felt more sharply in these December moments, even as the carolers sing (and we sing too, and mean it) “Have yourself a merry little Christmas…”

All of these have marked our Advent.

In addition, challenges have come at every turn, in multiple arenas of life—infirmities, financial strain, things breaking down, heartbreak, conundrums, so many friends going through hard trials, exhaustion, loss, prophetic disillusionment, spending yourself without human assurance of any of it mattering (oh, but it does). Spending yourself when it feels like nothing is happening (oh, but everything is).

I take great comfort in the honesty of Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:8 when he shares, "We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life."

Have you ever felt this?

You’re not alone. The Apostle Paul and his ministry companions felt this, too. And while perhaps we can’t relate to the particulars of the trauma they endured, there are traumas of modern life that we were not designed to endure day in and day out.

I’ll be honest, as I’ve taken a “fearless inventory of the darkness”1 in the world (without and within) in recent days, I’ve longed for Home more than once.

But then again, shouldn’t I always be longing for our true Home? Isn’t that what Advent is about? Might there be something off if I’m so comfortable and insulated here that I struggle to deeply understand Paul’s conviction when he said, “to die is gain”?

All this relentless hardship, and yet…

Hope. Joy. Peace. Love. Alive and well and available. To be found in the here and now. Because we have Him. God with us. To live is Christ! And though I can long for Home, may I “live and declare the works of the Lord” with eyes wide open to all He has made available for me in the wonderful right now of the not-yet.

The precious Holy Spirit, knowing we would need help, generously wove the recipe for accessing it all right into the living Word. Don’t skim over this. Ask for fresh eyes and then read these verses slowly. Do it more than once.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV)

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus… whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things…And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:4-9, ESV, excerpts)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13, NIV)

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4, ESV)

Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love. I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. (John 15: 9-13, The Message)

I don’t want to dismiss the incredibly complex layers of sorrow on this broken earth. The reality is that our journeys to receive these gifts of hope, joy, peace, and love are not easy, no matter how simple the “recipe” may be. And there’s so much more I’d love to go into, like the importance of naming your grief like David, or of not flinching from, ignoring, or rushing the darkness, and of wrestling it all out with God like Jacob. And ultimately, renewing your mind with Truth until it takes you on a hot-air-balloon ride in the spirit so you can really see and be transformed.2

But, I can tell you from experience, while we can’t earn the gift of Immanuel (God with us), our posture does position us to receive all the benefits He came to bring.

Rejoicing. Praying. Giving thanks. Thinking about what is good. Trusting. Looking for the treasures in the trials. Pouring out our lives in love.

These things really are the distilled recipe for hope, joy, peace, and love in the midst of the heartbreak. (Love—both an ingredient and a result!)

He is good. He is with us. He makes all things new. And He will make all things right. Our Home is not yet, AND our Home is now. Because He came and He is coming again.

Soon.

December 3, 10, 17, 24

At the Prayer Room:

156 Oakland Avenue, Rock Hill, SC

The anchor was often used as a symbol of hope among the early Christians.

Christ our Hope, in this life and eternity.

I’m stuck. I don’t know which way to go or what to do. I’m tired of myself. I’m tired of the same old harms and the same old sufferings. I can’t see. I can’t hear. I can’t think. I can’t breathe. I’m afraid. All I see is darkness. I’m drowning. I can’t save myself.

And then I turn my attention to the Living Word. For it is trustworthy and certain.

A Liturgy of Scriptural Hope

LEADER - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil,
PEOPLE - to give you a future and a hope.

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

But they who wait for the Lord
shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.

The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.

...we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.

You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in your word.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,
for he who promised is faithful.

Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
all you who wait for the Lord!

But as for me, I will look to the Lord;
I will wait for the God of my salvation;
my God will hear me.

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”

Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.

And hope does not put us to shame,
because God’s love has been poured
into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again
to a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.

[Love] does not rejoice at wrongdoing,
but rejoices with the truth.
Love bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things.

For God alone, O my soul,
wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.

Now, Silence…

Pause. Be still.

Respond

What has God spoken to you about hope: just now or recently or ever?

What are you hoping for?

Where have you lost hope? Where is maintaining hope a struggle?

Reflect on a line or phrase or verse from the Tozer reflection or the scripture liturgy.

The Lord invites us to tell Him our dreams. I love this about Him. And then, in His perfect way, He shows us how to position our hearts, with our aches and longings, in a posture that allows life and light to flow. Like a loving Physician, He helps align our souls with His Spirit so that we can receive His Best, which, aside from whatever gifts He offers with it, is always Himself.

This liturgy is a simple one He gave me to pray regularly. It is a prayer good for the Advent season—the not-yet, dark-of-night, winter sojourning. The waiting and the dying.

Thank You, Lord

for giving me what You have.

Thank You, Lord

for not giving me what You haven’t

—whether for another season, or meant to fully die—

thank You for giving me grace when I need to wait

grace when I need to wholeheartedly sacrifice

grace when I need to endure long-suffering

grace to always be joyfully content.

Thank You, Lord

that hope in the Rescuer during the dark night

is a treasure as important as the rescue itself.

Thank You, Lord

for helping me trust You in the desert journey.

Thank You, Lord

for the grace to not crave meat when You have decreed manna.

Thank You, Lord

for giving me Best.

You are the Good Father

the Giver of good gifts.

You, Yourself, the utter best of all gifts.

The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places.

Amen.

He’s so good. So close. Even when you can’t feel any of it.

Who is like the Lord?

If your heart feels numb, invite Him to circumcise it. If you are asleep, invite Him to sing you awake. If you’re hurting, climb up into His lap. Let His presence heal you.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” - Psalm 34:18

Do you know Him? Do you see His fiery eyes of liquid love? Can you hear Him singing over you? Do you feel the wonder in store since the beginning of time? Do you know you are gloriously woven into the marvelous Story? Do you know how every corner of heartache, every inch of pain, every crevice of loneliness holds treasure, just as the highs of life also hold a gift?

If you’re having a hard time knowing it, ask Him for the revelation. Go ahead and do it now.

“Whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. Until now, you have not asked anything in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.” - John 16:23-24

My heart had been having a hard time. Life can be a lot. We get tired. Even with incredible moments of provision and delight, the battle still rages on.

I love the Lord, I make every effort to renew my mind and wrap myself fully in my royal identity; yet I am ever aware of my humanity, this jar of clay. People often see me as this strong woman, but I am also very tender and feel deeply. I wrestle with temptations, hurts, wrong motives, deep disappointments, grief over disappointing others, fear, doubts, vulnerabilities, second-guessing, selfishness…all of it. But I know that my strength, stability, and sanctification come from Jesus, not myself. He is my savior, my source, my shield, my best friend, and my lover. Yet He is also—and this is important—my Lord. There is so much joy in surrendering to Him. So much peace.

I’ve had to surrender so many things throughout my life—it’s never easy. It often hurts. Sometimes it hurts so bad you feel like you’re dying. Other times it’s so incredibly undignifying. But you know what happens? The sweetest fellowship with Jesus! And once you taste it, you are marked forever.

“Jesus, you are all I want or need. Jesus, you are all I long to please. My portion and my prize, my joy and my delight, are found in You.” - (lines from ‘Single Mind’ by Jeremy Riddle)

If you’re feeling stuck or having a hard time, especially with your heart (even though you are spending time in the Word), here are a few simple things to engage in this week that can help awaken you more to His love:

1. Go on walks. They don’t have to be long; you don’t need a lot of time. Even just five minutes walking with Jesus can be so life-giving. I love going on walks at all times—early in the morning, in the heat of the day, during the vibrance of dusk, and even in the dark of night when the stars and moon are my light. These are my prayer walks. I talk to Jesus, but I also am silent and listening. Ideas and clarity often come in this space. I keep watch to see His beauty and glory in creation. Movement—outside of the home and away from distraction—helps to focus my dialogue with God.

2. Sing. Simple choruses, hymns, psalms, made-up new songs. Sing in your native tongue and sing in the spirit. You are singing your heart awake. This really has an impact when I do this in mundane moments throughout my day. I find I react to things less from my flesh and more in line with the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18-19 encourages this very thing as a way to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

3. Create. With Him. Try something new. Put on worship, light a candle, invite the Holy Spirit to move through you, and do art by yourself or with your children or friends. Be childlike. Don’t worry about the outcome or creating anything “good.” Try one of the workshop collectives at the prayer room—either the art workshop or the writing workshop. See what bubbles up. You might be surprised. Last week at the art workshop, God surprised us with layers of meaning hidden in our chosen colors and lines; He used each one of us to paint a message to ourselves even when we didn’t know it was happening at the time! It was so rich.

4. Make a date with Jesus—whether in the prayer room this week, out in nature, in your city, or in your own prayer closet. Be with Him. Words optional, presence everything. Let Him lead you.

He is worth it. If you’re struggling to feel that truth, tell Him. He understands our wrestling, our sleepy hearts, our doubts, our questions. Go to Him with it all. Ask Him to sing you awake, love you alive.

Lord, set me on fire like I’ve never been before.

Hope to see you this week in the prayer room! Here’s a song I’ve listened to recently. (There are so many good releases in the last few weeks! Be sure to check out the new Cageless Birds album and the new Josh Garrels if you haven’t already.)

Cutting Through by Young Oceans

The Art Collective has officially started at the Rock Hill Prayer Room.

We meet every Tuesday, 12:15 - 2:00 p.m.

Address: Rock Hill Prayer Room @ 156 Oakland Avenue, Rock Hill, SC.

Sometimes you plan and strategize until the birthing of all that you had hoped for comes forth with excellence.

And other times, with the “help” of your friends (you know who you are), you stumble into new beginnings with no plan at all.

This recent Tuesday, the Art Collective at the prayer room began. Seven people gathered around a folding table laden with jumbled art supplies. Oil pastels, paints, cups full of brushes, and boxes of markers occupied every inch between thick watercolor paper.

Six eager artists looking…well, looking to me, as I confidently declared this is “not a workshop” but simply “painting with friends.” Just minutes before I was walking out the door to meet a new friend to paint with at the prayer room, I get a text that the invite had been made public and two others were coming. Then two more let me know they were coming. And others. The painting group I had been thinking about yet never knew how to start was now starting. Ready or not here we go!

I ran around frantically gathering all the art supplies I had at hand before taking my 20-minute drive wondering, what in the world am I going to teach? Thankfully teaching wasn’t the need for this first collective of ours, just a table to be set. The prompt was simple, play with the different mediums and allow whatever feeling is bubbling up to come out in abstract art.

We painted, we shared stories, we danced, we laughed and laughed, we (or at least one of us—Lana!) fell out of a chair, which led to more laughter! When I stepped back from our first gallery wall I didn’t fail to note that these first paintings reflected just that: laughter.

I humbly could not have planned this.

The Art Collective has officially started at the Rock Hill Prayer Room.

We meet every Tuesday, 12:15 - 2:00 p.m.

Address: Rock Hill Prayer Room @ 156 Oakland Avenue, Rock Hill, SC.

The table will be set to paint and learn while we grow together as creatives. Whether you have honed your skill or are just beginning, you are welcome.

Let’s create together.

And check out everything else happening in the prayer room over this coming week.

Heartbeat

To create a space and opportunity for individual connection with the Lord, through Worship (song), Knowledge (scriptures), and Listening (selah).

Details

Location — Rock Hill Prayer Room @ 156 Oakland Avenue, Rock Hill, SC

Facilitator — Stephen Santos

Questions? Email Stephen directly.

Schedule

Weekly — 7:00 - 9:00 PM.

Good to Know

• A time of individual connection with the Lord.

• Spread throughout the time will be space for Selah (silence and listening). Those spaces will be surrounded by connection time in Worship and or reading of Scripture.

• Make sure to bring a journal and a Bible.

• We request that cell phones be left outside the room. (Or placed on silent and left in a designated space just inside the prayer room.)

Several years ago, one of the friends of York County Prayer embarked on a journey of obedience to “stake the land” of York County, South Carolina. He went to four distant “corners” beyond the borders of York County and prayerfully hammered one stake into each area.

The act of marking out the boundaries of a physical space is a prophetic, symbolic act.

Here’s what the ministry Active Faith says about this practice.

God’s Word is powerful! In the beginning, God spoke the earth into existence. Throughout the Bible, the power of His words healed the sick and performed miracles. And it is by His Word in the Scriptures that He continues to work and speak to His people today. The act of staking the borders of a property is not magical, nor is it a talisman or superstition. There is nothing special about a stake in itself, nor the person who is driving a stake into the ground. It is the act of marking the land with scripture that is a symbol of faithfulness and submission to God’s authority – a calling out to God to bless the land and rescue His people. It is a declaration that it was created by Him, still belongs to Him, and exists solely for His purposes today.

PROPHETIC ACT - Staking the land is a prophetic act. It points to a future of goodness and righteousness to replace evil and disobedience. It sets land aside in dedication to God, giving Him dominion through Jesus.

A SYMBOL - In the Greek, “cross” means “stake.” The Complete Jewish Bible says they hung Jesus on an “execution-stake.” When you stake land, you’re placing symbols of the device used to orchestrate salvation. Scriptures add power to that symbol representing your covenant with God. Jews were commanded to do this in Deuteronomy 6. They put God’s Word on their bodies and property, including gates and door posts.

Each location was prayerfully determined. Each stake was prayed over as it was driven into the ground.

When outer lines are mapped between the stakes, they form a rectangle that encompasses the entire 696 square mile county.

The following scripture references are embossed into each stake, as prophetic agreements for York County:

Job 1:10, Job 11:18, Luke 4:10, 1 Peter 1:5, John 17:11, Acts 26:22, Mark 6:20, Genesis 1:1, Ezra 8:21-22, Jeremiah 1:8, Isaiah 33:21, Psalm 7:1,10, Nehemiah 4:9, Proverbs 30:5, 2 Samuel 22:3, Matthew 26:53

📖 See full text of all scriptures below.

Our prayer is that you would join with us in declaring these scriptures over our county, and any principalities or powers of the air to be subject to the written Word of God.

As you pray for York County, you may want to go visit the existing stakes.

Coordinates:

(With links to Google Maps)

Point 1 - 34.79072N, 80.90518W — Catawba, SC

Point 2- 35.13739N, 80.90288W — Charlotte, NC

Point 3 - 35.16833N, 81.42836W — Blacksburg, SC

Point 4 - 34.78882N, 81.44826W — Lockhart, SC

📍Click here for a single map with all locations.

Share a Testimony of the Prayer Stakes or Praying for York County:

Share Testimony

Full Text of Scripture References Embossed on the Prayer Stakes:

From the Christian Standard Bible (CSB).

Job 1:10

“Haven’t you placed a hedge around him, his household, and everything he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.”

Job 11:18

“You will be confident, because there is hope. You will look carefully about and lie down in safety.”

Luke 4:10

“For it is written: ‘He will give his angels orders concerning you, to protect you, and they will support you with their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

1 Peter 1:5

“You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”

John 17:11

“I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by your name that you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one.”

Acts 26:22

“Since I have obtained help that comes from God, to this day I stand and testify to both small and great, saying nothing else than what the prophets and Moses said would take place—”

Mark 6:20

“for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was much perplexed; and he heard him gladly.”

Genesis 1:1

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Ezra 8:21-22

21 “I proclaimed a fast by the Ahava River, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us, our dependents, and all our possessions.”

22 “I did this because I was ashamed to ask the king for infantry and cavalry to protect us from enemies during the journey, since we had told him, ‘The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek Him, but His great anger is against all who abandon Him.’”

Jeremiah 1:8

“Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to rescue you. This is the Lord’s declaration.”

Isaiah 33:21

“For there the majestic One, the Lord, will be for us, a place of rivers and broad streams, where ships that are rowed will not go, and majestic vessels will not pass.”

Psalms 7:1

“Lord my God, I seek refuge in you; save me from all my pursuers and rescue me,”

Nehemiah 4:9

So we prayed to our God and stationed a guard because of them day and night.

Proverbs 30:5

Every word of God is pure; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

2 Samuel 22:3

My God—my rock where I take refuge,

my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold, my refuge, and my Savior, you save me from violence.

Matthew 26:53

Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and he will provide me here and now with more than twelve legions of angles.

This past week has been heavy for everyone. There’s so much I want to say, but for now, the intention of this post is to remind you to check here weekly for the Prayer Room hours. We have updated our hours for this coming week. We feel like more than ever, it is time to press into prayer in more intentional ways. The prayer room this week will offer times of guided corporate prayer, times of open drop-in hours, and times where you can schedule the space exclusively. We hope to expand the schedule to include weekend hours in the weeks/months to come. Stay tuned! Hope to see many of you this week!

We hope you have a chance to spend time in the Rock Hill Prayer Room over the coming week.

The prayer room is located at 156 Oakland Avenue (second floor) in Rock Hill.

This post is updated weekly.

🟨 — YELLOW slots are OPEN HOURS (these are not exclusive; you do not need to schedule in advance; they will be staffed, so anyone can come in and enjoy the space or talk to a team member).

⬜️ — WHITE slots can be scheduled for INDIVIDUAL PRAYER. Mark them as “exclusive” when booking to reserve the space for just you and your group. (Or leave “exclusive” unchecked so others can book as well.)

🟩 — GREEN slots, if applicable, are CORPORATE PRAYER gatherings, led by members of our team.

🟥 — RESERVED for private group or ministry use. Fill out the space use form to inquire about a reserve for this purpose.

April 6th-April 12th, 2026

MONDAY, April 6th

• ⬜️ 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM — 🗓️ Individual Reservable

TUESDAY, April 7th

• ⬜️ 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM — 🗓️ Individual Reservable

• 🟨 12:15 PM - 2:00 PM — Art Collective

• 🟨 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM — Open for Public Drop In

WEDNESDAY, April 8th

• 🟨 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM — Open for Public Drop In

• ⬜️ 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM — 🗓️ Individual Reservable

THURSDAY, April 9th

• ⬜️ 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM — 🗓️ Individual Reservable

FRIDAY, April 10th

• ⬜️ 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM — 🗓️ Individual Reservable

SATURDAY, April 6th

• 🟨 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM — Open for Public Drop In

⬜️ 🟨 🟩 See the Booking Calendar

For the most up-to-date schedule and to reserve individual blocks of time.

Volunteer

Would you like to volunteer in any capacity? Fill out this volunteer interest form

Use the Prayer Space

Do you want to reserve the space during daytime or off-hours for personal or group use? Fill out the space use form

Share a Testimonial from the Prayer Room

We’d love to hear from you.