Team Prays at Vertical Vision Summit

"How often have you personally felt out of your element?" says Cheryl Wallace, part of the UCC Prayer Team who served in that same capacity the weekend of October 7-9, 2022. "I felt a keen burning in my heart about two years ago when I joined the team. Convinced each time that I knew nothing and was worthless to the team, I have since learned that it was the adversary convincing me not to pray. Now when I feel that way, I trust the LORD to give me the wherewithal to trust HIM!"

That Friday, Wallace, and others on the Vertical Visioning Prayer Team (VVP Team) embarked on an adventure they will not forget. Praying for a whole weekend event can be daunting. But talking to God as to a friend is energizing. This team is convinced God was at work. They were just one small part of the Vertical Vision Summit held at Camp MiVoden October 7-9. This report is just about this prayer team.

Busy? Yes. The VVP Team placed a yellow or pink rose in each room with a Bible verse on prayer. Part of the team helped set up registration items and the prayer room. Then the team prayer-walked the lower camp. Jean Gassman, Kathy Marson, Cheryl Wallace, and Anne Curnow were joined by Pastor Stephen Farr for this activity. They surrounded the camp with prayer for over an hour.

They prayed in Maple Auditorium, the cafeteria, the dorms, the campfire bowl, the ballfield, and behind the dorms. They prayed for each attendee; for each corner of each room of the camp; for each person who had ever been to camp as staff or camper; for each member of each family still home and not part of the summit; and for every aspect of the weekend. Their heartfelt prayers asking God to bind all evil and to give them the armor of God were visibly answered throughout the weekend.

The team headed to the north end of the parking lot at 3 p.m. to meet each person driving into camp so they could pray with them. John and James Ash joined this activity and the team soon lost their timidity. Stopping cars, sometimes two or three at a time, they prayed for each arrival.

Meeting strangers driving into camp might be hard. However, Wallace became energized. She says, "The Father unexpectedly allowed our group to pray for missionaries from China, former church members, my son’s classmate from high school, parents, and some who had not been to Camp MiVoden since 1959."

The team felt the prayers were appreciated. As they visited in between arriving guests, they got to know each other and melded together as a team.

During the weekend the team had many divine appointments. They prayed for pastors, mentors, mothers, administrators, and camp workers. They prayed for God to solve arguments, heal rifts, and give safety, wisdom, healing, and discernment. The team may never know the full results of their prayers but they know God hears and answers. And they saw many results of their prayers.

The team visited breakout rooms and prayed while attendees wrestled with questions. Twenty to 30 prayer requests found their way to the prayer box and Bible promises were claimed for each prayer request to fit the need. They were grateful and blessed to use the booklet, Praying the Word, by James and John Ash.

Jean Gassman says, "I feel we offered an opportunity for people to receive prayer which was very needed. The prayer box was a way to connect with people who probably would not have gotten prayer in another way."

On Sabbath and Sunday mornings, three prayer circles were held in Maple Auditorium. Gassman shared a short devotional from Jesus Calling. On Sunday Wallace led the morning prayer time with a timely passage from Testimonies Vol 9 about the importance of prayer. 

John Ash said, " I have never seen a prayer team standing at the road entrance of any venue praying for the participants of the meetings. It sent a powerful message that this was to be a spiritual summit.

Anne Curnow, a leader in last fall's Prayeradigm Weekend, said, "It was fun and special seeing little divine appointments happen throughout the weekend in different ways." 

Sara Maniscalco joined the prayer team on Sunday. Even in the short time she served, she witnessed a seeking after God and for his purpose and plans to be revealed through this vision process. She said, "There was a spirit of worship and praise, as well as a genuine heart-longing after God and an enthusiasm for His will. It was inspiring to worship and work together with a group of individuals who are passionate for God's will and plans; and who are longing for God to show up in real ways in our lives. The spirit of whole-heartedly seeking after God was tangibly felt during many conversations and prayer times. It was a sweet, sweet spirit!