For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them (Matthew 18:20, NIV). “When we gather to pray, Jesus is with us,” noted John H. Cress, Southern California Conference (SCC) executive secretary.
This January, for the first time since 2020, members from across the SCC territory gathered at the Hollywood church for the annual day of prayer. The theme was taken from Revelation 22:17: “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (NKJV).
At this year’s day of prayer, Celine Musaza, member at the Rolling Hills church, had a meaningful experience. “I had a special encounter with Him in a way I have not experienced before,” Musaza shared. “It was time for prayer of confession. When I knelt down, I wasn’t thinking much beyond just praying like any other times. After I closed my eyes, I remember thinking to myself, ‘What is a confession prayer, and what am I confessing?’”
“Immediately after that thought, I saw a vivid panoramic view of some elements of my Christian life,” she continued. “Episodes of pride, self-righteous efforts, all the good works in vain glory. I felt empty. In that moment, I realized that my confession is that I haven’t been allowing God to take control, that I needed to let Him take the lead in my life. I praise God for allowing me to have this experience.”
“Our day of prayer is an effective and powerful way to intercede for each other and our world,” Cress said. “It is an essential part of SCC’s start to the new year—to cast all our cares on God, who cares for us (1 Peter 5:7), and to pray with expectation of what God has planned for us. As King David wrote, ‘I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray’ (Psalm 17:6, NLT).”
