By Teresa Johansen – Loveland, Colorado … Each January, as part of the new year and the world-wide 10-days of prayer initiative, Campion church comes together with others in Northern Colorado to be challenged and equipped in the discipline of prayer. This year Pavel Goia, associate ministerial secretary and editor of Ministry Magazine, spent Friday evening and all-day Sabbath, January 7-8, on our campus pouring out a heart appeal to be in a place of surrender and sacrificial prayer with God.
Here are selected testimonies of the impact and decisions made for prayer.
More than anything, I was struck by the concept that I need to learn to “recognize God’s voice”, thru the continual conversation of prayer. With daily practice, this will allow me not only to be more confident of God’s will in my life, but also to be able to react more quickly to the promptings of His Spirit. I will be better equipped to not only recognize the needs of other people whom He puts in my path, but also be better equipped to serve them! – Rich Testardi
As I reflect back on this past weekend with Pastor Pavel Goia, two words come to mind–“beyond blessed.” We serve an amazing God Who wants to lead and guide us ever so close to Him. When we are faithful and do our part, we too will experience those miracles that God wants to bless us with that will increase our faith. I don’t ever want to limit the power of God and the changes He wants to make in my life. We must diligently pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The reflection on the Ten Virgins was so powerful. – Rose Martinez
Pastor Goia’s message plainly demonstrated the key elements of prayer that enabled Christ and other great biblical characters before and after Him to lead lives that produced many mighty events and miracles. Prayer is a lifestyle. We must be immersed in prayer throughout our lives. The most important piece is our constant connection to God. We must seek God and Him only. The God-centered life means we have to give up all of our selfish inclinations and seek only communion with the Creator of the universe. That sounds very basic, but in our weakened, sinful state, the only way this can happen is that we must die daily and possibly moment by moment to self and invite the Holy Spirit to change us into new beings. This lifestyle will bring perfect peace to us no matter what conflicts or trying events may occur. It will also open innumerable opportunities for us to minister to others if we follow God’s leading. It will also bring us to the foot of the cross where as we gain more insights as to its merits both here on earth and throughout eternity, we will be forever drawn to Him. – Wes Williamson
This was the first time I had the privilege of hearing Pavel Goia speak. What a dynamic and powerful speaker he is! You could sense the Holy Spirit working through him. His preaching sparked and awakened again in me that “first love” experience with God that we need to keep fresh continually. His message was also the perfect lead into the 10 Days of Prayer which my husband and I have enjoyed attending. I am so grateful for the Campion church and the pastoral leadership team who are listening to the Holy Spirit and sharing and challenging us to be a Spirit-filled church. – Judith Williamson
Although I had read Pastor Goia’s book on his amazing adventures with the Lord and had heard his messages before, this weekend was especially meaningful because I realized again how important group prayer is, and am determined to follow through with group prayer for our family, our church, and my personal life. I have already had some amazing answers to personal prayers in the last few months and am looking forward to even more in the coming year! – Charlene Clegg
— Teresa Johansen is Campion Church administrator; photo courtesy of Campion Church Facebook page.