Pray First Updates
It’s tempting to get discouraged or lose hope when things keep falling apart. Like when the camp faced two water leaks in the last couple weeks, or when a severe snowstorm threatened our largest retreat of the year. At times it may seem that everything around and within is broken.
But what if God uses brokenness to remind us where true hope is found?
Maybe today you face discouragement–a difficult child or family member, relational brokenness, unresolved health issues, job loss, financial adversity. The pain captivates your attention. Unanswered questions spin in your mind, or you wonder if God is really there. Perhaps the prosperity of unbelievers makes you mad.
The Psalms give voice to your struggle. And they give hope to your tears.
Psalm 73 is relatable, as we tend to envy the wicked who appear to have great lives, while we suffer (Ps. 73:3-12). We question if it’s worth it to follow God (73:13). But the turning point is when we consider eternity (73:17). God’s judgment is ahead (73:18-20).
But for followers of Jesus, even when our flesh and heart fail, even when we blame God, He holds on to us (73:21-22). God is our only source of refuge–for salvation, for today’s suffering, and for eternity. What if He uses the brokenness of today to reveal how empty our temporary hopes are, and to remind us to look to Him for refuge? Then He can transform the pain, so one day we also can say:
“But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.” Psalm 73:28
Will you turn to Him?
PRAISES
- That our weaknesses and false hopes don’t deter God’s affection for us
- That our future hope is secure no matter what we face
- That God redeems our difficult situations and circumstances to grow our love for Him
- God’s provision in the camp water leaks (fixed!) and snowstorm (successful event!)
PRAY FOR…
- That we would be honest before God when life is hard
- That God would reveal our idols, our false hopes/refuges, and redirect our hearts to Him
- That God would use the difficulties to soften our hearts towards Him
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Announcing our 2025 Event Theme!
Posted January 16, 2025What’s ahead for camp events this year….
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The Joy Set Before Us
Posted October 2, 2024What was the joy set before Jesus… and now us?
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Praying Scripture for Your Kids
Posted September 10, 2024In a rut praying for your someone? Here are some ways to pray Scripture….
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Summer Highlights
Posted August 2, 2024What a rewarding summer! Here’s a little of what God did….
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Faithful in the Little Things
Posted May 9, 2024One of the joys of camp ministry is watching young people grow–both in their faith and personal development….
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How's Your Race?
Posted April 11, 2024Some thoughts as you continue running the race of faith…
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Answer to Decades of Prayer
Posted March 7, 2024In our prayer lives, we often experience God answering in different ways than we’d like. Sometimes God says no. Sometimes He says wait. And sometimes after years of praying and waiting, He provides.
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A New Year to Run the Race of Faith
Posted January 11, 2024A few thoughts from Hebrews 12…
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We're Praying for You!
Posted November 1, 2023We wanted to let you know how grateful we are and how we’re praying for you…
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How Do You Want to Be Remembered?
Posted September 1, 2023What would people say about you if you were gone? What would you want them to say?
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Ignite: Showing Students God's Greatness
Posted August 3, 2023We completed the first year of our new Ignite Youth camps! This begins our four year curriculum rotation on the attributes of God…
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Your family legacy is bigger than you...
Posted July 3, 2023At family camp, we’re discussing what it looks like to continually point your kids to Jesus and to live in awe of God.
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Doing Hard Things
Posted June 1, 2023Next time you find yourself in a “gray area” decision, consider praying for these four things…
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Thanking God for You!
Posted May 9, 2023God’s provision keeps surprising and encouraging us…
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Cultivating a Spiritual Legacy
Posted April 4, 2023You may remember that our camp theme is Legacy, so we’re talking about what it looks like to pass on the faith at every opportunity!
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Ways to Pray for Your Pastor
Posted March 7, 2023You might not think about it, but pastors need your prayers too….
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Share your story!
Posted February 2, 2023Would you be willing to share your story of how God changed you through the ministry of Camp Maranatha?
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Rethinking Resolutions
Posted January 4, 2023Individually and as a camp, we’ve been rethinking priorities, considering where to invest time, and pondering how God transformed us throughout 2022. We hope you have too.
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Continuing the Legacy
Posted December 1, 2022As we celebrate 50 years of camp ministry, we’re thinking deeply on what it means to continue our legacy of faith.
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A Vision for the Future
Posted November 1, 2022God has also been working in my heart in regards to Pond View. The overwhelming feeling I would get when I saw the unfinished building has quickly turned to one of confidence that God was going to complete this project.
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A Story of Impact
Posted September 6, 2022At camp, we don’t often get to see or be part of the growth produced in people’s lives as they go home and apply what they’ve learned and experienced here. What a treasure when we do get a glimpse into Jesus’s work in lives!
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Summer Review
Posted August 10, 2022Thanks for praying for our summer camps! God’s faithfulness, protection, and provision were evident throughout each week. He continues to provide in unexpected ways and in the small details (see below for more!)
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Family Camp Update and Youth Camps Ahead
Posted July 15, 2022Thank you for praying for our family camps! We saw many answers to prayer during those two weeks. We look forward to sharing more later. A couple testimonies from families: