Negativity, sadness, and blamelessness seem to be the mindset of many today. Just look at any TV channel or news headline. Rarely will you find good news promoted. Admitting that we are powerless and refocusing is usually the first step with anything. The Response was that stepping stone. Seeing this nation in its current turmoil, this wonderful gathering happened, Saturday, August 6th, 2011, which made an impact on my life that shall never be erased. No words, no video, no testimony can explain the Spirit that was felt that day.
This all day free event was held at the Reliant Stadium in Houston which brought together people from all walks of life, from different races, cultures, ages, political views, and denominations, praying compassionately to our Heavenly Father for the state of our nation and our world.
Yet with every positive step there will also be naysayers or those who may not understand. The weeks leading up to the event, the media fueled the fire with a negative outlook mainly because the Texas Governor, Rick Perry, called out for such a day of praying and fasting for the state of our world. Many judged the gathering a discriminating failure before it even got started since only 8,000 people had registered.
As any believer will tell you though, our faith, hope, and determination relies not on mankind and his judgement of the future. We believe in God, a Power bigger than anything on Earth. We believe that any and all things are possible with Him. We believe in peace and forgiveness. His Power was truly felt that day. For many of us, myself included, The Response was a dream, a prayer, and an inspiration that had been in our hearts for many years. This was not an event to promote a politician, a band or celebrity, a church leader, a ministry, or any denomination. In fact, no announcement was made of the lineup or even the process that was to take place at the event. There were no flyers, no CDs/DVDs, no books, no posters, no shirts – no keepsakes for sale. Only a small agenda listing 4 prayer segments was passed out by an assortment of volunteers.
People simply only knew to follow their heart, visit the stadium if they wished seeking prayer for the nation. Whatever the case, the people followed through...Over 35,0000 people responded and followed their heart to Reliant Stadium that Saturday. Many fasted. Others volunteered. Some stayed the entire day of prayer while others stayed for a few hours. Some came from Houston and the local areas. Others had traveled as far as Maine, Mississippi, Georgia and New Hampshire. Over 1,300 web telecasts from the nation and around the world were tuned in to pray as well.
Overwhelming joy and compassion filled me as I looked out across the diverse crowd. From Pentecostal to bikers with leather jackets, no one could miss the wide range of ages, races, and cultures crying out to God in one place. By the end of the day, the emotion that had filled the Stadium brought many to tears.
The time had come to leave the Spirit-filled place and return the world. Yet we were taking with us the experience to share with others and prayers for future gatherings. As I returned home that Saturday, I was sadly reminded of the negativity once again. The news media gladly showed protesters of the event, none of which I had saw on my end. There were no good news or positive reports of what I had just experienced. Was this nation blind or had it all been just a dream to me?
Like any toxic relationship, we subconsciously love negativity. Positive stuff is just too boring. The same goes for our society. We have turned into a self-righteous and self-loathing type of people. We moan over our own or the nation’s problems. If we are not moaning, we escape into a lost world surrounded by the latest and greatest materialistic items. Society has taught us to continue to be ungrateful and fulfill our own personal needs. We have become insensitive and selfish to the world around us.
We unconsciously idolize and lose our own self-worth through celebrities, sport stars, and public figures like our politicians. Sadly, we are teaching our children this same lifestyle. The new generation is becoming a self-centered with a blameless and insensitive attitude towards others and the world. What’s worse is that We, as nation, are blind to it all....
...So what's Your Response? Whatever happened on that Saturday should not be forgotten and misinterpreted. This should only be the beginning for positive changes. May others Seek compassion for our great nation.
May you be Blessed to Respond.
