A Devotion of Desperation:

Who to turn to and what to do

By Justin Gottuso

Are you overwhelmed or worried?

How do I get out of this mess? Where do I go from here?

Listen to these words…

“I cry out to the Lord; I plead for the Lord’s mercy… When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way i should turn… Then I pray to you, O Lord. I say, ‘You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life” Psalm 142: 1,3,5

We need to cry out to the Lord! Why? Because He is the only one who really knows what’s going on; he is the only one who really knows where you should go and what to do. As we turn to Him a declaration is necessary, saying ultimately God YOU are all I really want. It’s not just about escaping our circumstances, but by desiring God above all.

What do I need to do?

How do I get out of this mess? Where do I go from here?

Listen to these words…

“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you… Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing… Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress” Psalm 143:8, 10,11

What we really need to do is listen to the love of God. The only thing that will truly set you free from the pain, anxiety and depression you feel is God’s love. We need to hear it every morning and every moment, especially in difficult situations. Then the posture of our heart must be trusting God to guide us through the Holy Spirit, because He is the one who will lead you into the freedom you desire. And because God is faithful and loves you he will get you through whatever you’re experiencing today.

A Prayer… Father God, I am overwhelmed! I come to you today filled with so many worries and troubles. I’ve looked everywhere else for a solution and answers, but I know you have all that I need to get through anything. I declare that only in You will I find safety, rest and restoration. I need above all to know your love today. I’m ready to listen and follow your Spirit wherever he leads me. I believe you are good and will not let me drown. I love you. Amen.

The Gold Rush:
Supernatural Encounter at UCLA
June 7th-11th

Hey friends,

Here’s a recent update on what’s been happening at UCLA this quarter, including a hugely supernatural evening you definitely want to read about! This comes from Natalie Hines, the Ezekiel House of Prayer leader and former Campus Crusade staffer. Be encouraged as you’re finishing up with school as I am!

Justin Gottuso

EHOP Prayer Meetings

Each week we continue to worship the Lord & to spend time connecting with Him through prayer, as well as interceding. Some weeks although nothing spectacular happens, just connecting with the heart of the Lord leaves a sweet taste in my mouth.

However, some weeks are more spectacular.  A couple of weeks ago we had a prayer meeting that lasted 4 and a half hours. After 2 hours, we expected to leave, but then God began to show up in amazing ways. Here’s a testimony of it from Deborah Kwon, one of the students involved:

“EHOP was awesome.”

During our prayer time…the Holy Spirit just encountered us. It was a small group, but we were praying for unity of the fellowships in our campus. And then–the crazy things started happening.

We felt led to pray for Michelle. She was talking about this heaviness– and told us she had been depressed for a week now. And by the second time we prayed, she was really surprised how she felt so much lighter. AND THEN– the breeze. The pentecostal breeze. There was this breeze right over her head and around her and we were  all just feeling this angelic breeze as it kept getting cooler and cooler.

We were freaking out because the ac wasn’t on and all doors were closed. Needless to say, she is completely healed from depression. We got SO excited. Tonight was a night of fire– and impartation of specific tools that the Holy Spirit wanted us to use in the revival that is stirring up right now.

-Deborah Kwon

Want to know more about EHOP? Check out their website at http://ezekielhouseofprayer.org/index.html

Want to know what God’s been doing on campuses in California? Check out http://campuscalifornia.wordpress.com/

The Gold Rush:

Humility and Momentum

June 1st-7th 2010

Humble Beginnings: Cal Poly Pomona

At the Onething conference in Kansas City in 2008, Vicki Wong and Vincent Leung from Cal Poly Pomona received a vision of seeing 24-7 Prayer on campus and reaching Cantonese Chinese students. The group has continued for two years, but this past year all 10 leaders, except for Vicki graduated. They found it challenging to meet new students, connect with other campus ministries and began to question whether to continue and remain an official group.

Convergence of the Campus and the Community

In an effort to encourage Cal Poly students in a season of transition, on May 20th local pastors and house of prayer leaders along with Cal Poly student leaders combined with student leaders from UCI and Campus America for an evening of worship, prayer and sharing struggles and visions with each other.

Vicki and Vincent expressed the need for encouragement and suddenly the entire room converged around them. God spoke many specific things to each of them. Topics like having a passion for Jesus first and foremost, growing in faith step by step, and vision coming out of a place of passion for Jesus through resting in his presence. There was affirmation that God has already spoken to other students about uniting in prayer on campus, and next year God will bring these key people to them so they can pass on their visions to another generation of students.

Ten Year Vision Plan: UC Irvine

Ten years ago God raised up a group of students to pray in the middle of Aldreich Park at UC Irvine. They prayed for revival on campus and saw visions of the park being filled with students worshiping God.

Four years ago all across the nation God woke college students up to pray like never before. An entire semester was covered with 24-7 prayer among 80+ universities across America, and UCI was one of them.

The past two years students have been praying regularly for God to pour out his Spirit once again on campus. The night before an outreach on campus on Good Friday called ‘The Crosswalk’ UCI students had 10 hours of prayer on campus. The place was constantly filled with 30-40 students crying out for revival once again.

Since that day every thursday there’s been 5-12 hours of prayer on campus, weekly prayer walks and leaders from many ministries pray together tuesday nights as well.

Finally, on Thursday May 28th the 10 year old vision was fulfilled as over 200+ students gathered in the middle of Aldreich Park to cry out to God, share testimonies and encourage one another.

If you want to follow the movement of God at UCI or see more pictures, check out their facebook page

uci awakening 2 worship

uci awakening 1 the park

cpp meeting 1

The Gold Rush:

Updates and Upcoming Event

UCI Awakening: TOMORROW!

Student leaders have been meeting weekly to pray and plan ‘UCI Awakening’ a campuswide prayer, worship and testimony night, TOMORROW thursday May 27th. God spoke to EVERYONE about gathering in the middle of Aldreich Park on campus to worship… and it’s going to happen!

Watch the promo video:

Get the details: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=11855420150732

UC Riverside: Recap

There were 48 hours of prayer and worship at UC Riverside May 20-22nd. Students were touched, bold prayers were prayed and momentum is gaining. Stay tuned for more updates.

Cal Poly Pomona: Convergence of love

There were students from UCI and Cal Poly, a house church pastor, a house of prayer leader, regional catalyst for prayer and a few Campus America staff in attendance. We shared what God’s doing on the campuses and prayed specifically for Cal Poly students. There was much love in the room and encouragement given to spur us on for the next season!

God loves dust:

In the midst of great pressure at school, obligations with ministry and at home I found myself sitting on a bench at the park this morning.

The soccer field with morning dew, empty basketball court and peaceful community center are all in the shadow of the great San Gabriel mountains. The sky is blue, the sun is rising and the clouds are scattered. But my heart is in turmoil.

Want to read more? Check out http://campuscalifornia.wordpress.com/

cpp and uci

uc riverside

God loves dust

In the midst of great pressure at school, obligations with ministry and at home I found myself sitting on a bench at the park this morning.

The soccer field with morning dew, empty basketball court and peaceful community center are all in the shadow of the great San Gabriel mountains. The sky is blue, the sun is rising and the clouds are scattered. But my heart is in turmoil.

Then I read Psalm 144 that says: ‘O Lord, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow’

I thought how the creator of the universe cares for me. He thinks about this pebble of sand in the middle of the universe.

Suddenly I saw my situation through a different lens.

We still have papers to write, appointments to make, friends and family in the hospital or passing away. We have jobs that are a pain and finals to take. However, take a step back from whatever situation you find yourself in and remember God cares for and thinks about YOU!

May you be in awe of the great love of God that would be mindful of dust like us.

The Gold Rush:

What’s God doing on College Campuses in California?

May 11th-June 1st

Greetings! You might be wondering, “What is God doing on College Campuses across southern California?” As you’ll see below he is gathering Christians to pray, fast and worship for HOURS on end; He is healing injuries and touching hearts regularly; and he is providing financially in miraculous ways! God is real and listens to your prayers! Be encouraged to trust Him more! Justin Gottuso

UC Riverside: A Spiritual Explosion

May 20th-22nd (This Thursday-Saturday) UC Riverside is having a 48 hour prayer room (their second this year). The leadership team to pull it off DOUBLED from last time, now it’s 21 people! Here’s the details: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=125835184094916&ref=mf

Kingdomstrations: Supernatural Healings!

At UC Riverside this week a student’s ankle was healed and walked away with their crutches and a maid for a dorm room had knee pain, but a student prayed for her and 20 minutes later the maid put a note under the door that said ‘thank you for praying, the pain is gone now!’

Cal State Long Beach: A Faithful Witness

The leadership of LoveHOP tallied up the number of prayer meetings they’ve had on campus this semester and it totaled 208 hours! Praise God! Check out testimonies of healing and deliverances on their website: http://lovehop.org/

UCI Awakening:

Student leaders have been meeting weekly to pray and plan ‘UCI Awakening’ a campuswide prayer, worship and testimony night on thursday May 27th. God spoke to EVERYONE about gathering in the middle of Aldreich Park on campus to worship… and it’s going to happen!

Watch the promo video:

Join the Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=118554201507329

Biola: “Miracle of May”

With needing to raise sufficient funds to break ground on a much needed new building, the Biola University community fasted and prayed for 40 days. As the weeks passed more and more checks began pouring in, totaling $6.4 million! The President said “this story will be told for generations to come. What a mighty God we serve!” Amen!

The Gold Rush:

What’s happening on college campuses in California?

April 24th-May 4th

Greetings Friends!

I have been so encouraged by what God is doing on campuses today! It seems everywhere I look students are gathering to pray and sharing their faith! I’m here to serve you all the best I can. Please let me know what you’re struggling with or pass on stories to celebrate with your peers.

Justin

California Highlights:

UC Irvine Inter-Fellowship night

Students from various ministries are assembling weekly to pray together and plan a night of worship, prayer, testimonies and Holy Spirit unveiling. Here’s an excerpt from their first meeting last week:

“Last night about 20~30 people gathered in ICF to worship and pray. People from KCM, KCCC, Miles Militis, and other fellowships came. Tracy from KCCC led the worship and prayer.

We all agreed that we want unity, that we want and need Jesus, and that the Interfellowship Event on 9th week should not just be a program, but a time when people encounter God and are transformed.”

Check out UCI’s 182 member Facebook page: Rock Garden Prayer and Worship

Interesting Discovery: UC Riverside has weekly prophetic training on thursdays and planning a 48 hour prayer room

Historical Perspective: “It was in 1855 that Presbyterians founded the College of California, which merged with Agricultural, Mining, and Mechanical Arts College to form UC Berkeley. It was shortly after during 1857-1858 that more than 48 colleges and universities experienced a student prayer movement. Shortly afterward contagious prayer movements started in the UK spurring on William and Catherin Boothe (Salvation Army) and Hudson Taylor (China Inland Mission).” Can it happen again?

05.02.10: Campus America Update

CAMPUS GEORGIA: WATCHMEN ON THE WALL

by Katie Cornick, Georgia State Coordinator

Our Georgia State Coordinator, Katie Cornick, gives an update and some insight into what God is doing around the southeastern United States. … read more Check out the Campus America Website for updates on 24-7 Prayer on college campuses across the nation!

Check out the latest posts on the new Campus California site, including this week’s story of an Intervarsity Staff being challenged in faith here: Campus California

Please let me know if you’d like to be removed from this list or have someone you think should be added to it. Also, i’d LOVE some people with a passion for writing/editing to help me gather stories/testimonies from campuses to expand this resource, if you’re interested in helping let me know ASAP! If you have stories from YOUR campus, send them my way!

Blessings,

Justin Gottuso

CAMPUS CALIFORNIA: OPEN DOORS

Hello Fellow Students (I’m a student again, so i know what you’re feeling, i have my first midterms of grad school next week!)

An honor of mine is to share cool stories of what God’s doing on various universities across California. I’m trying to send these updates out more regularly so you all can be encouraged when you feel tired and frustrated, or inspire you to step out in faith to pursue a seemingly impossible dream God’s given you. I’ve been there, am there and will always be here.

There is always work for the Kingdom to be done on colleges and universities, but in the words of Pete Greig (24-7 Prayer) you must never ‘refuse to give up celebrating the 1% when the 99% is frustrating you. We’ve got to keep sharing the stories of the Good News and love each other and strengthen each other because it’s a harder battle than we thought it would be.”

Without further adu (i have no idea how to spell that!), here are some stories to encourage you!

What’sShakingatUCBerkeley?

Here’s a gmail chat update on what God’s doing at UC Berkeley:

Yining: Hey dude

just letting you know

me: yes…

Yining: the berkeley inter-fellowship praise night that happened on wednesday

jesus was so there, and the speaker was a guy working with luke 18 project

speaking on the importance of prayer in the context of being obsessed with single goal of abiding in the presence of God

me: that’s very encouraging! you have no idea how much of a fire these testimonies start in my heart when i hear about Jesus making himself known to students!

Yining: here’s what’s happening at Berkeley:

1. representatives from different fellowships on campus are meeting to pray at 7 am every morning to invite God to bring revival

2. Holy Spirit was THERE at interpraise and moving people to worship more enthusiastically than i’ve ever seen at an interfellowship event before

3. my friend just taught a class on prophetic prayer to some of the fellowship leaders for intervarsity at cal

4. last semester my friend and i were praying to have more favor and more open doors to the LGBTQ community here at cal, and this semester i got invited to play at the opening night for the annual Queer & Asian conference, which is going to be held in downtown berkeley. this is an opportunity for a holy spirit sneak attack, and i’m really, really thankful to have been invited in.

i’ll tell you more good, encouraging things as they come

k i’m leaving the computer for a bit, but keep me in the loop!

i’ll pray for you and your coworkers to stay strong and very courageous

bless you, justin!

me: thank you so much! talk to you soon!

04.18.10

by Rachel Wegner

This is an official story written for the Campus America website sharing about God’s work at UCI and Biola University! Check it out here: Campus California: Open Doors

Prayer Meetings Happening at Biola Regularly:
Prayer at the Belltower: Monday through Friday 715am
Morning Revival Meetings: Monday through Friday 8-9am
Facedown prayer and worship: 9pm Mondays in the Collegium
Burma Global Intercession Group: 1150am Tuesdays on the lawn by the Upper Sub
Fives: Tuesdays at 5pm in Rose of Sharon Prayer Chapel
Faculty/Staff/Student Prayer: 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month 11:40-12pm Cavalry Chapel
Liturgical Prayer Group: Monday and Wednesday 9:25am-9:30am – Dr. Ten Elshof’s office – 2nd floor Sutherland

Final Word:
Let me know what’s happening on YOUR campus so it can be a blessing to leaders like YOU all over California! Feel free to pass these stories along to your friends who’d like to know too!

If you feel like not much IS happening where you’re at that’s totally cool, contact me with prayer requests, questions you have or challenges you’re facing. I probably have a story to tell, scripture to share or people to connect you to that can help! Don’t be afraid to ask!

Finally, if you’re like “who the heck is this guy emailing me all the time?” Or “how else can i find out what God’s doing on campuses in California,” Then check out my new blog http://campuscalifornia.wordpress.com/about/

Blessings,Justin