Now is the time to reflect on the year behind us, stirring ourselves to press forward with renewed zeal. You must be consistent in prayer and fellowship, especially in this sacred season. Approach every gathering, every meeting, with a heart that is receptive and hungry for God’s touch. Make every effort to be present, positioned, and ready to pray.

Prayer is important not only in this season of preparation but also during times of retreat, such as camp meetings. These times are marked by long hours of prayer, during which believers are refreshed just like the example in Acts 2. Expect to engage in long hours of prayer and be ready to hit a gusher in the spirit.

But first why do we pray long ?

Luke 6:12
New King James Version
12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

Jesus, our example, lived a life immersed in prayer, drawing strength and empowerment through those extended hours in the Father’s presence to carry out the work of ministry. For you as a believer if you would walk like Christ you must be ready to carry on the same lifestyle especially for all God will have you do now and in the coming year. We must be able to dedicate ourselves to hours of prayer. Spending time to align your heart and know what God’s will for you is.

Long hours of prayer are not just for moments of crisis; they are the foundation for a life attuned to God’s will at every turn. Once again, Jesus gives us a powerful example:

Matthew 26:39-40
New Living Translation
39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

40 Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour?

In Jesus’ critical hour, He returned to prayer repeatedly, pouring out His heart for God’s will to be done. Even in the face of deep sorrow, Jesus yielded His will to God, showing us the power and necessity of fervent prayer. But we see examples where he also gave himself to prayer just to commune with God and this is why Jesus could say with boldness that he know what God would have him do at every moment.

Remember, at Pentecost in the upper room, we come to understand that the believers met to pray consistently and for long hours while they met. It was during this time that they received an infilling of the Spirit and began expressing the gifts of the Spirit.

We also see the new believers that were added to the church imitating the same examples.

Acts 2:41-42
New King James Version
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Praying long in a gathering is not strange thing in scripture in fact many of the miraculous things that God did in Acts were born from prayer meetings.

Acts 4:30-31
New King James Version
30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”

31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

While they prayed the place was shaken and they received boldness for the work.

Acts 13:1-2
New King James Version
1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

As they prayed they heard the Lord speak about his plan. All of them in that room could attest to what God had said.

Acts 12:5,16-17
New King James Version
5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.

16 Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.

17 But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place.

They received the answer to their prayers in that meeting.

The Bible declares, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” This is not just a statement; it is a divine promise. Prayer releases tremendous power, creating an open channel for God’s might to move in every situation. Through this scripture, God is assuring us—when we pray, He responds. Heaven leans in, and answers come!

Beloved, prepare your heart, for through prayer, a season of refreshing awaits. There is clarity for those who seek it, breakthrough for those who need it, and transformation in every circumstance laid before Him.

Get ready—prepare to pray with fervency, to pray with expectation. The power of God is ready to be released in response to your faith-filled cry! Get ready for more!!!

Prayer Point
Father, as I prepare for camp meetings, I am able to give myself to longer times for prayer and align to your will. And lord as we pray in camp meeting let heaven come on earth and let you power be revealed in every situation that is need of your touch.