Awestruck!

“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word;  For my eyes have seen Your salvation…”   ~ Simeon

Simeon had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Christ.  This quote is what he said when he saw the child Jesus brought to the temple. (Luke 2)

Awestruck by the presence of the living God.  Simeon seemed to be awestruck.  And, it seems many of the men at The Heart of Texas Boot Camp had a similar kind of encounter based on the reports we are receiving.

Friends, your prayers are still needed.

I imagine you may thinking, ‘why?‘ – the boot camp is over.  The event is over, but the work of God continues in these men.  We have an enemy, and he would love nothing better than to steal this encounter from each man any way he can.  So, let’s pray:

Father God, stir our hearts to rise up in prayer for all the men who attended The Heart of Texas Boot Camp.  Pour your Holy Spirit upon them.  Put your angels around them and protect them.

Remind them of the words you spoke to them in their times with you, in the sessions, in conversations – bring back to them those moments you need them to recall.  Draw them to reflect on their notes and questions in the Field Manual.  Keep them moving towards you deeper and deeper.  

In fact, we pray that the work you began in them grows in momentum in the coming days and weeks.  Do not let the boot camp become just another “mountain top experience” that eventually is lost.  Instead, keep them awestruck with you.  Keep them encountering you and turning to you more and more.

Bring other men into their lives so they are not alone.  Form around each man a band of brothers with whom can journey through the ups and downs of life and be encouraged to go deeper with you.

Jesus come to each man now, we pray in your holy and gracious name.  Amen!

Friends, thank you.  I truly believe your prayers are having a huge impact far beyond anything we could imagine.  And for the record, I remain awestruck by the stories I am hearing from men at the boot camp.

In Him,

George  (more…)

Indescribable!

Dear Friends

Indescribable!  That’s the word I would use for The Heart of Texas Boot Camp this past weekend.  God’s anointing seemed to be thick upon the boot camp.  There was battle, revelation, breakthrough, healing, restoration and much more for many of the men who were there.  We will never know the full impact of the boot camp but here are a few stories, so far:

One man came up to me with tears in his eyes confessing how he had failed his wife through an affair, and how Jesus was meeting him and restoring him through this boot camp.  He was incredibly grateful, and determined to be the husband God intended him to be.  Another man told me how God was revealing all the unfathered places in his life.  Many men told me that they were hearing God, some for the first time.  Others spoke of beginning a relationship with Jesus or coming back to him.

Jesus really did answer our prayers that these men would receive his good news, have their broken hearts healed, be released from captivity and be set free from what imprisoned them.

One man wrote:  “What a disastrous life I had led.  The decision I made to come to boot camp was met with opposition… The spiritual and healing that ensued is something that I cannot put into words…”

A man from Haven for Hope wrote:  “It helped me grow my intimate relationship w/ Jesus… One of the best experiences in my life for a vato loco [crazy guy] experiencing & loving Jesus.”

Another shared: “…I feel closer to God than I ever have.  My wounds have been recognized, and are now being healed.  This experience changed my life forever.  Thanks to this boot camp my eternal question has been answered…”

We know from experience, the boot camp did not end last Sunday.  We need to continue praying for the team against all retaliation for delivering this message and for these men against all assault to steal what God is continuing to do in their lives.

So, Jesus, we pray your protection over the team, the men who came to the boot camp, and all their families from every assault, struggle and temptation the enemy may attempt to deliver.  Send your mighty angels to guard these men and their families.

We praise you Jesus for the mighty work you have done in these men, and we ask that you keep these men in all that you began in them this weekend.  Draw every man deeper into conversational intimacy with you, bring them into a band of brothers, continue to heal and deliver them from all their struggles and wounds.  Make them into the man you fully intend them to be.  Remake them into your glorious image bearers.

Keep all of us alert and sober against the enemy and any assaults. Stay close to each man and keep their boot camp experience with you alive in their hearts.    We ask all of this in your most holy and powerful name.  Amen!

Friends, my thanks for your coming alongside us through prayer, pales in comparison to Jesus’ gratitude for your faithfulness with us.

Know that your prayers have impacted men in this moment and into all eternity.  I will continue these prayer updates a bit longer. So, please stay with us in these prayers.  Thanks!

For the advancement of His Kingdom,

George (more…)

“Aslan is on the move!”

Dear Friends,

Some of us are heading out on Wednesday with everyone arriving by Thursday afternoon / evening for the start of The Heart of Texas Boot Camp. (Pray for everyone’s safe travel!)

We need you praying every day of the boot camp and for us!  God is drawing men from all over the state, plus a significant number of men from Haven for Hope – men who could never attend an event such as this, will be coming.  How sweet is that!

As Mr. Beaver says to the children in Narnia:  “Aslan is on the move!”.  And, so he is.  So, he is.

One man, on his registration commented that ‘he is in need of spiritual revival’.   Oh my!  I am fully expectant that Jesus will meet that man and every man at Camp Buckner this weekend.  So, let’s pray that:

Jesus, you are truly awesome.  For you are the Word through whom all of creation was spoken into existence.  Yet, you were made flesh and dwelt among us.  You know each man coming to The Heart of Texas Boot Camp.

You have called them and are leading them to this weekend.  Now, we pray that nothing prevents your meeting with them.  It is written that you walked in the garden and spoke with the man.  Do that with each man.  Speak to them in a way they can hear and receive you.

Sweep through this boot camp with your power.  Break through to these men with your good news.  Bring healing to the broken hearted, the wounded.  Release those that are captive to any bondage of any kind.  Set free those that are imprisoned by all darkness.  Crown those that mourn and whose lives are in ashes with your glory.  Bless them with joy and festive praise, instead of despair!

Make each man into a man of righteousness, like a great oak or Redwood planted only for your glory – to display your splendor!

Oh, Jesus.  We pray you do this throughout the event.  May the Father, father these men in places they were never fathered.  May the Holy Spirit inhabit every moment and every man.  We pray for your glory and anointing to flood this camp.

We release you Jesus to have your way at your boot camp.  We agree with that long ago prayer of Charles Wesley:

Come, Thou long expected Jesus

Born to set Thy people free

From our fears and sins release us

Let us find our rest in Thee.

So, Jesus, do that:  set free, release, give rest.  Empower, strengthen, and so inspire these men that they may go back into their worlds new men in you and may they impact their worlds and their cultures through the changes you are doing in them.

Let them begin a new trek in their life with you at The Heart of Texas Boot Camp!  We pray all this in your holy and precious name.  Amen!

Hopefully, this gives you an idea of what to pray, in case I can’t email you until after the boot camp.  Again, thanks for holding us up in prayer – you are as much a part of this mission and this weekend as those of us at it!

All for him,

George (more…)

Expect Opposition

Dear friends,

Thanks for journeying with us this far.  Next week is The Heart of Texas Boot Camp!  Men will be coming from all over the State of Texas.  By the way it’s not too late to register, if someone is on your heart, please encourage them to register.

What we tell the men who are coming is to Expect Opposition:

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” 1 Peter 5:8

Like:

Arguments with your wife. Health problems. Being inundated with demands on you at work.  Assaults against your strength, your character, your work, your reputation. Roadblocks coming up between you and the event.

We also know there are men who are stirred to come, but have yet to register (probably opposed).  Meanwhile, the team is final prep mode.  So,  there is much prayer needed!

Jesus, we love you and we need you!  These men need you!  So, we pray your presence – your spirit – over every man registered and stirred to register, over their families and all their loved ones.  

We now bring the fullness of your work – your CROSS, RESURRECTION, AND ASCENSION – against Satan, against his kingdom, and against all his emissaries and all their work warring against us, each man and their families, and The Heart of Texas Boot Camp.

We bring the work of the Lord Jesus Christ against every kind of opposition, all warfare, all struggles, all temptations that may be coming against us and each man and their families.   We banish all this away from us and them in the Name of Jesus Christ.

For greater is he who is in us than he who is in the world. Christ has given us authority to overcome all the power of the evil one and we claim that authority now over and against every enemy.

Jesus fill each man with your peace and a sense of expectancy as they prepare to come.  Surround the team and fill them with all wisdom and discernment.  Make them of one heart and mind as they complete their preparations.

Jesus, we bless you and we worship you for the work you are already doing and will do.  May you receive all the glory from The Heart of Texas Boot Camp.  We pray all this in your mighty and precious Name!  Amen.

So, as God reminds you of this boot camp, please pray.  “The effective prayer of a righteous person can accomplish much.”  James 5:16  This kind of redemption only comes through prayer.

Thanks so much, we do need you!

George (more…)

Let the Word Go Out!

Dear friends,

The Heart of Texas Boot Camp is fast approaching!  Your continued prayers are critical, as we know our enemy is opposed to the spreading of God’s kingdom, especially in the hearts of men.

Father God, how awesome are your deeds!  How glorious is your name!

Let the word go out what awesome miracles you perform for people!  How you even made a dry path through the Red Sea and your people went across on foot.

We ask for your glory to descend upon The Heart of Texas Boot Camp.  Fill the camp and every man coming in advance of the event.  Shield us and protect us. Draw even more men from across the State of Texas, men from the military, men from Haven for Hope, men from every walk of life.

Jesus we declare your glory over us and The Redwood Company of men.  We declare your glory over all the preparations – fill every nook and cranny with your presence.  Pour out your anointing over each man with any role in this event.  Protect them and their families against all assaults of the enemy.  Inspire them with your Holy Spirit.

Jesus prepare the way, make the paths straight, unleash the Kingdom of God in advance of the event.  Like a tidal wave let it push back all darkness and usher in a new day and new freedoms for every man who attends.

So, Jesus – let the word go out what awesome miracles you perform for people!  We pray all this in the complete power and authority of your Name!  Amen.

I know I keep repeating myself, but it is so obvious on this end what a difference your prayers are making.  Thank you!  Thank you!

Oh, and if you’d like to expand on this prayer and keep “shouting” praises – see Psalm 66.

George (more…)

Casting our Nets

Dear friends,

Your continued prayers are having an impact!  We are now connecting with the Garrison Chaplains at Fort Hood and Fort Sam, plus the Wounded Warrior Project.  So, lets pray that God draws men in the military to himself through The Heart of Texas Boot Camp.

Also, pray for the team, known as The Redwood Company. Please pray for us as we prepare each session – that God would stir each of us with just the right “story clips” from our lives to illustrate each topic.  So…

Jesus, you are Sovereign over all.  And regardless of all the turmoil in our country that surrounds us, you are our God and we earnestly search for you.  And, we pray for every man in Texas who is searching for you in this troubled time.

We unite together, Jesus, and lift up to you The Heart of Texas Boot Camp that it may be a place for men to come and see and find you more deeply than they ever have.

As you have provided openings, we cast our nets towards the military and the men at Fort Hood, Fort Sam, and The Wounded Warrior Project.  Draw every thirsty man to this boot camp – make a way for them to come.

And Jesus, pour out your Spirit upon each man of The Redwood Company.  Inspire each of us with any snippets of our story to offer at the boot camp that will speak directly to each man you bring there.  Hover over the preparation of each session – for without you and your anointing all our efforts are futile.

Jesus, we cling to you!  For your right hand holds us securely.  We pray all this in your powerful and glorious name!  Amen.

Friends, knowing each of you are standing with us gives us strength!  Thanks.

George

P.S.  Sorry, for the triple emails last week.  I was retrained on Mailchimp last week, so hopefully you will receive only one email from now on. (more…)

Against all Obstacles

Luke 14:16 Jesus replied with this story: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. 17 When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’

Friends, last week your prayers for the men of Haven for Hope had real impact.  More men met with us, and they are enthusiastic about The Heart of Texas Boot Camp.  Several were talking of bringing back this experience to other men in the dorm.  How significant could that be?

In seeking Jesus, as to what we should pray this week it is simply:  pray against all obstacles.  So, let’s pray for all men including the men at Haven, in the military, Wounded Warrior Project, etc.

Jesus we honor you as King and Lord of all.  For you are preparing a great feast for every man who comes to The Heart of Texas Boot Camp.  In fact, your banquet is ready.

So, we pray for every man who has heard or who will hear of this boot camp.  We ask you to remove every obstacle and hindrance and objection.  Remove the obstacles of not enough time, make time for them to attend.  Remove the hindrance of not enough in their budget, expand their budget with the money to attend.  Remove the obstacles of too many activities or conflicts – rearrange schedules and make a way for them.  We ask you to remove any obstacle and every hindrance!  (add any others that God may place on your heart)

Jesus you made a way through the Red Sea for the children of Israel, surely you can make a way for every man you are stirring to attend.  So, we ask you to make their paths straight, as they seek your way. (Prov 3:6)

Jesus, we believe you can part “the waters” in their life to attend.  So, we declare you, Jesus, over us and over every one of these men in your powerful name!  Amen.

Thank you friends, your prayers do matter.  By the way, several of the men at Haven were deeply touched when they found out that you were praying for them!

In Him and for His purposes,

George

For the Least of These

Dear fellow intercessors,

Please keep praying for men who are stirred to attend the boot camp, but have yet to register.  This week let’s expand our prayer.

What is continuing to be revealed is that The Heart of Texas Boot Camp is also for the “least of these”.  Jesus says:  “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”  Matthew 25:40

If we are honest, those of us praying and gathering to deliver this boot camp are the least likely to do something like this.  But hey, so were the disciples!  And, Jesus loves our willingness.

Our collective hearts are drawn to men at Haven for Hope, the Wounded Warrior Project, the military, etc.  For the last 2 Thursday evenings (at 7pm) several of us have been seeking out and meeting with men at Haven for Hope.

So here is a start for our prayer this week:

Lord Jesus, you know the plight of every man whom you desire to attend this boot camp.  We pray, especially,  for the least of these.

Open your floodgates Lord Jesus and draw every man to this event that you desire to attend.  Like a moth is drawn to a flame.  Provide them with the time to attend and the freedom from their jobs.  

Bring the Haven men to our weekly meeting each Thursday night.  Speak to their hearts and draw them.  Even now, begin your transformative work in their lives.  Lead them into deeper intimacy, healing and restoration with you.

So Jesus, these are men who are trying to reverse the cycle of homelessness, poverty, addiction and who knows what else in their lives.  Use your boot camp in their lives to create irreversible change in their lives.  And Jesus, provide the funds for every one of these men to attend.  

Thank you for what you are doing and about to do.  Thank you for bringing us alongside you in your glorious mission!

We love you, and we bless you, Jesus.  Amen!

Friends, I wish each of you could be with us at Haven.  I have no idea where this is headed, but God is doing something amazing.  Thanks for your prayers!

George Black (more…)

Praying a way to Boot Camp

Dear friends

We have finally been able to gather and merge our email lists.  So, welcome to those receiving this intercessor prayer email for the first time, and thanks to all of you for your prayers.  We are changing our delivery format, so:

Here’s some technical stuff:

Our prayer emails will now be sent out via the Intercessor Blog on the website.  We are using mailchimp, a program that automatically sends out each blog posting.  So to make sure you receive this 1st email, we are sending it twice:

1st – via this regular email.

2nd – at 5 am tomorrow via mailchimp.

If you don’t receive the 2nd email it may be because some browsers may block mailchimp thinking it is spam, so you may need to reset some permissions.  Feel free to contact us at [email protected] with any problems.

If you do receive it, please click on to the email that way your browser knows it’s ok.

This boot camp is built on prayer!  Please know, we desire as many praying for The Heart of Texas Boot Camp as possible.  However, if that’s not you – that’s ok.  Just click the unsubscribe button on the mailchimp email or let us know at [email protected].

Our intent is to send out weekly prayer emails.  This week, let’s pray for the men who God is calling to attend.  A number of us are hearing of men who are telling us they are coming, but have yet to register.  Here is a prayer suggestion:

So Jesus, we lift up every man to you who you desire to come to The Heart of Texas Boot Camp.  Remove every obstacle, every hindrance, every opposition of the enemy that would keep them from coming.

We come against all fear, all procrastination, all anxiousness and we speak your love and peace into their lives.  Go before them now, and begin to stir an excitement and anticipation in them for how you will meet them at this boot camp.

Meet each man right now – where ever he is, reveal to him: You!  How you are working in his life, already – create in him a hunger and thirst to just “come and see”.  Give each man the courage and boldness to commit and register today.

And Jesus, for those men that are married, we lift up their families, as well.  We pray your protection and blessing over them.  Rally their wives to support them going to this event.

Jesus, we pray all this in your power and authority!  Amen.

Thanks friends,

George Black

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” ~ James 5:16 (more…)