PLS2: G8 Prayer Summit and Forterocca

Practicum Log Sample 2


Let's dial back again--I want to share about Forterocca and the G8 prayer summit of sorts.  We are going back to the Wednesday in the same week of the last post; of my visiting Taylor friends, Sam was still here but Trevor had already left (alas!).

7/08/09 – Wednesday, July 8, 2009

The morning began with the full OM Italy staff traveling to Bobbio Pellice where Forterocca¹ is located. In an upper room in the facility, an international meeting of prayer leaders were preparing for their continual prayer for the leaders of the G-8 summit currently underway. A table was set up as best known how the G-8 table would be set, including flags draped over the chairs of the presidents/leaders of the nations represented. Our team attended to take part in the prayer and worship of preparation and petition for God's blessing. My definition of “prayer warrior” has been rewritten; the experience was powerful and very moving. The importance of the G-8 summit cannot be underestimated, and the radical, strong-in-faith prayers of these people have definitely inspired me...

1 = Forterocca is a conference/retreat facility owned by OM Italy. Before OM's purchase, it was a run-down former military base. Now it has a beautiful main facility and much of the surrounding grounds are under construction, including various buildings that need significant work. The place is deeply rich with history and Christian ancestry amidst persecution. It feels like a holy place when its lore is told of.

You can read about the G8 here, but for purposes here I'll just say it's a meeting of a group of the world powers to discuss how they can work together to better help the peoples of the world.  Major decisions and agendas are set; protests and riots tend to follow to the hosting country/city.

The G8 was big in the news recently as the annual forum recently transpired.  For some years, a group of international prayer leaders have come together in the hosting country to pray before and during the G8.  This year, the forum was held in Italy; the team stayed at Forterocca (read the practicum log footnote above).  Some pictures...

Forterocca was recently restored from being a former military base.

Isn't it beautiful?  Photo by Sam.

The upper room had a table set in G8 fashion, as best could be known beforehand...

...right down to the details. Another Sam picture.

While the OM team was with the G8 prayer team in the upper room, we praised God and prayed to him our praises and (often bold) requests.  Between the needs of the G8 conference, to the startling needs of Italy, to the needs of the OM team and associated ministiries, to the vision for Forterocca and its future--no stone was left unturned.  The last time I felt so shaken by the "holy ground" beneath me was back in February; God's presence is very, very real, and I believe he is very much wanting to draw near to us.  The softer our hearts, the more we draw near to intimacy with him, the more we sense his presence--in both "big" and in "small" ways.  With him, events like a pre-G8 prayer summit serve to "center" the minds and hearts of those called for service, but also to bring courage and edification to one of his little children.  This is my God!

Needless to say, I loved the G8 pre-summit thing.  And Forterocca, that place is amazing.  Hoping to write about some of its rich history & connection with the Waldensian movement in a later post.  Ciao!