Prayer Summits were started in 1980’s under the leadership of Dr. Joe Aldridge from Multnoma College in Portland, OR.
The Summit in WI started late 1990’s
*A Prayer Summit is defined as “A prolonged, 3 1/2 day, life changing worship experience.” It is attended by followers of Jesus from diverse backgrounds, life experiences, maturity and church affiliations in a specific geographical area (NE Wisconsin). The sole purpose is to seek God, His Kingdom, and His righteousness. The expectation is that God will create and guide them through a humbling, healing, uniting process, which will lead them to a unity of heart, mind, mission and qualify them for the blessing of God.
It is an environment where believers feel safe and can leave behind their differences; an environment where they will be amazed by what they agree on and share.
This time spent in God’s presence brings believers to a point of brokenness and humility. That can’t be preached or taught. It’s powerful to spend time with their common King!
The key to true humility, confession of sin, and deliverance is prolonged time in His presence; time to focus on Him, with no other agenda. No church business is allowed, no strategizing or networking, no one leading except the Holy Spirit. Generally, a ‘thread’ or ‘theme’ shows up in our prayers that tie together what we need to hear, learn or be burdened for. What is needed is time in His presence, to worship Him hour by hour.
In a Prayer Summit, we may sing over 30 songs in a day. Scripture is read; prayers are spontaneously given. We stay vertical-fixing our eyes and hearts on the Savior. Often the presence of the Lord is so strong no one dare speak. We stand on Holy Ground. Often men and/or women lie on the carpet, weeping as God begins a breaking process.
The process we have experienced seems to flow first from:
- Holiness (we see who He is as we worship- taking time focused on Him alone),
- Humility and brokenness (repentance/reconciliation) come forth.
- This brings Unity as we realize who we are before God.
- From unity a sense of Community and shared vision/focus results in Impacting the greater communities and cities for God’s purposes.
Long after a Summit ends, relationships grow and lives keep being impacted by what was begun.
