WILLMAR -- The president of an international Christian music ministry headquartered in Willmar says he has no formula to suggest on how to "impact Willmar for the Lord.''
But David Lanning, president of CTI Music Ministries of Willmar, believes that through prayer, "if we dare to draw near to God's heart for people, he will begin to use our giftedness, our finances, our successes and our failures to impact his community for his kingdom.''
Lanning was featured speaker Thursday morning during athe 26th annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast at the Willmar Conference Center. The local breakfast is held during the 57th annual observance of the National Day of Prayer.
Speaking to the theme of "Growing a Heart of Prayer for Willmar,'' Lanning said prayer is a realignment that grows a heart for authentic worship of the Lord. He said a heart for the Lord "begins to grow God's desire into my own.''
God's desire "is for the rescue of his people -- their salvation, their freedom, their sight, their release -- everywhere, including right here in this community,'' said Lanning. "God wants to use my experience, my gifting, my successes and my deep hurts right here.''
ADVERTISEMENT
Prayer recognizes God's holiness, said Lanning. Growing a heart for prayer for anything begins with putting the one true God in his rightful place, "that he is holy, that his infinite size is unfathomable, that we are fortunate to even be able to come into his presence.''
Lanning said the greatness of God "helps correct my own self-centeredness and pride. It makes me realize that I am creation, not creator, and that I become who I am meant to be when I seek to know God's heart, not seek to make him come alongside of mine.''
Lanning said God "wants you to be a vessel of his redemption here in Willmar. If it begins with an alignment with God, a taking on of his desires, and an understanding that deliverance of his people is his mission, then let us use all that he's given us to live out his kingdom.''
Lanning is a native of Raleigh, N.C., and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He became connected with CTI during an internship associated with his college scholarship, and he spent the summer before his senior college year serving in music ministry with Singapore Youth for Christ.
Lanning has been in Willmar for 13 years. He and his wife, Margaret, have three children.
