ACT 3 Viewpoint

July / August 2009

 

It Seemed Good to Us and the Holy Spirit

John H. Armstrong

   

On Monday evening, May 4, our board began its annual retreat by asking God what he would have us to do with the future of ACT 3. We began with a meal, and then had an evening of prayer. Rev. Phil Miglioratti, the director of the National Pastors' Prayer Network, led us in an evening where we asked the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to make it abundantly clear to us what we should do. Phil facilitated a precious time by stressing that we wanted God to make it clear, by the end of our three days, "what seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us" (15:28). This prayer struck me with incredible force as I sought the Lord with all my heart and soul.

    I found myself praying, "Dear Lord, please make clear to each of us in this room what you want me (and ACT 3) to be and to do in the coming years. May we leave here on Wednesday with a strong assurance that we have heard the Holy Spirit speak to us!" I assure you that the Lord met with us the next two days and spoke to us powerfully.  (It was the best board meeting I have ever participated in personally.) But when we left on Wednesday the clarity I had prayed for was not evident to me, not yet, I was confused. The clarity of the prayer from Monday remained strong in my heart.