Knowing God Ministries: When Your Soul is Thirsty

Psalm 42:1-2

As a deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God."

This past weekend, I did a retreat in Grundy, Va, called 'Got Purpose?'

Grundy is DEEP in the Appalachian mountains - close to the Virginia/West Virginia line. Once arriving, (five plus hours from Raleigh) I found faith-filled women. No, STRONG, ROOTED, faith-filled women.

Retreat Team

Above is the retreat team of Harman Memorial Baptist. They were amazing! Harman Memorial is in coal mine country. (It was really cool seeing an active mine - across the street from the church. I've never seen a mine before!) But even cooler were the women who attended.

The ~100+ women who attended were HUNGRY for truth. Truly, they reminded me of the key verse today. Their souls were thirsty for living water. They were thirsty for hope.

Many drove an hour + to attend.

Women of all ages

Even mothers and daughters! (my favorite!)

I share this - because it's rare to find such spiritual hunger. It's rare to find a leadership team that truly understands the power of prayer. This leadership team in the months leading up to the retreat - met regularly for prayer. They even took a day to fast.

They absolutely inspired and encouraged me personally with their heart for prayer. (See the new hit movie War Room. Click to see trailer) Prayer is powerful!

As a result:

Women responded to the challenge of identifying the sin that would rather stay hidden in our lives; to forgiving those who sin against us; to walk with God by SITTING in our chair; to obey God - even when it means stepping out of comfort zones.

They responded by drawing lines in the sand - on their knees in prayer. Each committing to walk with the Lord afresh - fulfilling the specific, God-given purpose each of them have been given.

Hope and joy abounded! In a difficult area of the country where coal mining has been shut down and the economy severely depressed - women have a new way of approaching the everyday. Women are dreaming again! Except now - they're allowing their dreams to be defined by the God of hope!