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Origination:
While attending Multnomah Biblical
Seminary in Portland, Oregon, I was reading through the book of Nehemiah.
When I came across Nehemiah's words, "I had not told anyone what my God had put in
my heart to do for Jerusalem..." (2:12), a "heart's desire" was instantaneously
birthed in my mind. Before I left Fort Collins, Colorado,
where I previously resided before going to seminary in Portland, I had a driving passion
for climbing Colorado's "Fourteeners". |
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When I read this verse in Nehemiah, God gave me a vision
of masses of Christians praying for the Church of Jesus Christ in each of the
50 states from high atop the 54 Fourteeners of the Colorado Rockies. Perfect! A
vision I had been praying for! Something I decided to pursue wholeheartedly
following my seminary graduation.
July 4, 1998 was the inaugural year for Prayer Peaks. Subsequently,
each Saturday before the 4th of July, Christians have participated
in Prayer Peaks. Many of Colorado's Fourteeners have been climbed/prayed from as well as other peaks throughout the United States and peaks in other countries.
The goal is to see all of the 54 Fourteeners of Colorado (and various peaks throughout
the U.S.) climbed on July 4, 2009 - the Saturday before
our nation's birthday.
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Biblical Support for Prayer Peaks:
The Bible records many events that take place in
mountainous / hilltop and wilderness areas. A few of these events deal
specifically with the withdrawal of a chosen leader to seek God's face and
intercede on people's behalf. For example, Moses met with the LORD on Mount
Sinai and interceded for mercy for the Israelites.
Jesus began His ministry by spending the night in prayer
on a mountainside before choosing the 12 disciples who were to follow Him for
the next three plus years. Also Jesus brought Peter, James and John to a
mountain top where He was transfigured before them and met with His Father in
heaven. |
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Concerning the many sins of Israel, the LORD said to
King Solomon:
"If my people who are called by my name, will
humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked
ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their
land" -- II Chronicles 7:14.
The Fourteeners of Colorado provide a spectacular
environment that instantaneously "humble[s]" those who have the Spirit of God
within them when they summit these peaks. Looking out over creation and seeing
the apparent insignificance of oneself over this vast land provides a lesson in
humility. This environment also ushers believers into an intimacy with God - a
tremendous place to "seek [God's] face" for our crumbling nation. |
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