Day 13.  Humbly.

If God spoke the Universe into existence, and sent His Son into that world on a rescue mission of love–a mission He knew would cost Him His life and purchase ours–then let’s come to Passion 2010 carrying a hefty dose of humility in our hearts…that attitude that says “You are God and we are not.”

Humility is simply seeing God. Pride, on the other hand, is seeing ourselves. No one has ever had a glimpse of God and not ended up closer to the floor. He is glorious and massive and radiant and holy and imposing and awe-inspiring and intimidating. Yet, God somehow wedged all that into a Bethlehem manger in Christ so He could wrap us in His arms. Sin continually and deceptively puffs us up, making us think we’re larger than life, stealing our ability to appreciate all that He is and all we are in Him.

So, arriving at Passion 2010 let’s let the re-sizing begin.
Let’s tread gently.
Come reverently.
Loved and treasured by God, let’s insist less and say “yes” more.
Let’s not stiffen our necks, let’s soften our hearts.
Why act like we know it all already, let’s come open to whatever He has to say.
Let’s lay down our agendas and figure out where we fit in His.
Let’s surrender first, before He even asks.
Let’s stop assuming.
And demanding.
And ignoring.
And running.
Let’s bow.
And bend.
And pause.
And honor.
Let’s lift Him high and bow down low.

So together we pray…

Father, please soften our hearts so they can easily fit into Your hands and into Your plans. We are making a mess of our lives without You. We need You more than ever. Help us down to our knees where surrender ushers in marvelous rescue. We love You Jesus.   Amen.

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; or He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care. Psalm 95:6-7

Day 12.  Bring.

We are convinced the kind of worship that makes God happy is songs that amplify His fame combined with hands that are outstretched to the last and least of these in His name.  That’s why the songs and the causes have equal billing at Passion 2010.  And why we need a shift in our thinking on the way.

Often we “come to worship” thinking mostly about what we are going to get from the experience.  But true worshipers come thinking about what they want to bring as they come before God.

Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Sing to the LORD, praise His name;
proclaim His salvation day after day.
Declare His glory among the nations,
His marvelous deeds among all peoples.
For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
He is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before Him;
strength and glory are in His sanctuary.
Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name;
bring an offering and come into His courts.
Psalm 96:1-8

So together we pray….

Father, You are worthy of all our affection and worship.  We do not want to arrive at Passion 2010 empty handed.  We want to come with hands that are open to honor You and extend Your love to those around us.  Move our hearts with a level of generosity that mirrors Your kindness and mercy to us.  All we have is Yours.  All we are is Yours.  Take us and all we have for Jesus’ fame.  Amen.

Don’t forget your towels and socks for the homeless of Atlanta.  The towels do not have to be new (just nice), but the socks need to be new and for men, women or children.  Take some time to look over the Do Something Now causes on the 2010 website and come ready to make a difference in someone’s life as we reflect His face to the world.  Please forward, ReTweet, text, etc.!

Just learned that a student coming to Passion 2010 from Utah has just transferred to The University of Idaho at Moscow…so Idaho is in on the wave!  Now we just need Vermont and Alaska to have students from schools in all 50 states! 

Day 11.  Furious rest.

On our last sabbath before 2010 (Sunday is the most widely accepted day of rest among Believers around the world) it is good to remember that He is the Originator and Sustainer of all things.  Our God made all that we see from nothing, creating our world and everything in it by the Word of His mouth.  To forget the sabbath is to fall prey to the lie that says it’s all up to us to control the outcomes of our lives and the world around us.  Without sabbath rest, pausing to remember that He is God and we are not, we find ourselves crushed under the weight of managing our days alone.

So together we pray…

Father, today, we pause as You have instructed us to do…and we remember that You are the author of all that exists.  You formed us and our world without asking for input, advice or assistance.  You are self-sufficient in every way to do everything You desire to do.  You do not tire, sleep, stress or quit.  Your power is unending, Your wisdom unfathomable, Your purposes unstoppable.

Thank You for inviting us into Your story.  Though You don’t need anything, You have chosen to include us in Your plans.  We will give You all we’ve got, resting in the truth that as we work You are accomplishing things that last forever.

We pray especially for the Passion Staff today, knowing they are overwhelmed with all that has to be done before Passion 2010 begins.  Fill them with the awareness of Your powerful Spirit within, a dependence on the life of Jesus to do what they cannot do, and the knowledge that their efforts in Your name are like precious gold that will never fade away.  Cover and protect each one and their families…In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
Colossians 1:24-29

Day 10.  Source.

Together.  Glory.  Yes.  Expectant.  Global.  Continually.  Movement.  Eve.  Perfect.  Source.

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2

In one short week, many of us will be coming through the doors of Passion 2010.  And when we do (and as we do), it’s imperative that our eyes are on Jesus.  He is the source of everything we need.

Today we are praying for those who are facing (and will face) challenges in the last days leading up to Passion 2010.  For some, the finances are falling apart.  For others, their family is falling apart.  For some their friend’s plans have changed, leaving them in a bind as they plan their trip to Atlanta.  For others, work schedules, illness, car troubles, relationship issues, anxiety, uncertainty and other obstacles will stand in their way.  But, in every case, God is sovereign…He is more than enough to meet every need and supply what is necessary to get us all to Passion 2010.  Don’t give up.  Look up!

So together we pray…

Father, everything we need is found in You.  People and things are gifts from You, but they will always let us down and cannot meet our deepest needs.  I lift my eyes to You today.  You are all I need.

I believe You want me to be a part of this gathering, but it seems every day a new obstacle is standing in the way.  Will You crush all fear, anxiety, doubt and opposition…and bring me to Atlanta with my gaze firmly set on You.  As well, I am praying for anyone struggling in these last days to make it to Passion 2010.  Give them grace to press through every barrier, believing what You are going to do in their lives during these days is worth the fight.  You are a provider.  Provide for us in unmistakable ways that cause us all to stand in awe of You before we even arrive at 2010.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen

It looks like some of you were good this year and found Passion 2010 in your Christmas stockings!

Registering today so far:
Lindsay from Auburn University
Christina from Tallahassee
Daniel from the University of Memphis
Andrew from Appalachian State University
James from Kissimmee, FL
Donna from Pennsylvania (Liberty University)
James from Pensacola, FL
Melanie from The University of Georgia
Matthew from Fernadina Beach, FL
Mills from Furman
Jake from UGA
Ashley from North Georgia College and State University
Kyeon from Urbana, IL
Stephanie from Kennesaw State University
Suzanne from UNC-Chapel Hill
Candice from Southeast Missouri State
Tim from East Peoria, IL
Justin from Wheaton College
Katie from University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Caitlyn from Louisville
Stephen from UGA
Megan from New York and Liberty University
Suzanne from Hofstra University
Stacey from Baylor University
Neal from Dahlonega, GA
Christin from Auburn University
Cynthia from Kennesaw State University
Eliezer from Port St. Lucie, FL
David from Urbana, IL

Welcome and Merry Christmas everyone.  We are closing in on 21,000 people registered and there is still room for YOU!

PS-Seems it’s been a busy day for St. Nick.  Don’t want to leave out…

Veronica from The University of Toledo
Lindsay from Kennesaw State University
Allison from Lenoir City, TN
Rachel from Texas A&M Commerce
Audrey from Norcross, GA
Caleb from Mississippi State
Timothy from Penn State
Loretta from FL registering students from Valdosta State, Truett McConnel, University of Georgia, University of South Florida
Christy from Moody Bible Institute
Colton from UGA
Wes from University of South Alabama
Kayla from Pearland, TX
Holly from Kennesaw State University

Day 9.  Perfect.

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,  to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.  Galatians 4:4-5.

The circumstances were crazy and chaotic that first Christmas, but the baby was perfect.

He still is…and always will be.

Praise You, God, for Your unspeakable gift!  We love you Jesus!

Day 8.  Eve.

The “day before Christmas” is settling in around the globe…and in nine days many of us will be arriving in Atlanta.  None of us fully knows what’s ahead, but expectation is building for 2010 in hearts all over the world.

In the words of David Crowder,

I think I’m on the brink of something large
Maybe like the breaking of the dawn
Maybe like a match being lit
Or a the sinking of a ship, letting go gives a better grip.
Forever and Ever Etc.

Today we are praying for the main session speakers:  Andy Stanley, Beth Moore, Francis Chan, John Piper and Louie Giglio.

So together we pray…

Father, we believe we are on the brink of something amazing.  Make our hearts sensitive to Your Spirit.  Prepare us for what is ahead.  Heighten our expectation as we are on the eve of Christmas and now days away from 2010.  We are lifting these servants to You in Jesus name.  We know they are being used by You in incredible ways, yet they are people just like us with the same struggles and needs.  Cover them in Your care, protect them on every side, preserve their life and works, shield their families with Your might, strengthen their bodies, pour out Your mercy, birth in them Your message for these days and cause them to know how much You love them in these days.  We ask this for Your fame!  Amen.

O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you.
Be our strength every morning,
our salvation in time of distress.  Isaiah 33:2

Day 7.  Movement.

Jesus is a movement.  He is not about monuments, systems or external structures.  He is a river of life, “And everywhere the river flows, everything lives.”  Movements are fluid.  Movements move.  Movements are not on a schedule and are not always predictable.

Passion began with a desire to spark a movement among the university-aged young people of the world.  Yet this does not happen by huge conferences alone.  Our brand must be more than catchy phrases and packed-out events.  Passion will only be a movement when one altered life shines His light in the darkness for all to see…one light soon joined by another, and another, and another.

We are working hard today on the details of Passion 2010, and are so honored so many are headed our way.  Yet, the external stuff of this gathering is not what we need.  Some will be fooled because we fill an arena and sing the songs.  But, unless we bring our hearts to Him–open, honest and bare, no Spirit-birthed movement can flow.

I don’t know about you, but I am coming needy to Passion 2010.  I want Jesus to break, heal and reshape every part of my heart…of our hearts.  We, as Passion, can’t make that happen, yet I am convinced it’s what we need more than anything.  And why together we pray…

Father, we desperately need You.  Help us.  Come to us.  Breathe on us.  We desire to move beyond the outward layers that impress, but do not change the heart.  Today, I am raising my hope to You.  I believe in Your power to heal, awaken and restore.  Wind of the Spirit, come.  Blow on me again.  Blow me onward.  Wildly forward.  Powerfully alive.  Godward forever.  For Jesus sake, Amen.

“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:8

Day 6.  Continually.

With a global reach, it’s quite possible someone is reading this post every hour of the day, around the clock.  While we are sleeping in the US, someone wide awake is praying along with this journey in Asia or Australia, making for an unbroken chain of faith and expectation that is leading us from here to Passion 2010.

So, wherever you are today, let’s make it our goal to pray without stopping, covering every little part of Passion 2010 in Jesus’ name.  We know our adversary is trying to wreck it all before we even arrive in Atlanta, so let’s look up to the One who is above and over all, trusting to Him our lives and the days ahead!

Make a note.  Put a sticker on your watch.  Set the alarm on your phone.  Set up a prayer-text time with a friend.  Call somebody.  However works for you, prepare the way.

So together we pray…

Holy Spirit, awaken our hearts throughout the day and night, and lead us in the ways we should pray for Passion 2010.  You know every facet and need.  Link our hearts around the world and across the nation, and encourage us in the fact that someone else is praying at the same time we are somewhere on the other side of the globe.  Father, let Your Kingdom come and Your plans be done.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18