Oregon Prayer Conference Encourages Prayers of Gratitude

In late March 2025, nearly a hundred people enjoyed a three-day journey of prayer, reflection and community revival at Oregon Prayer Conference. Held annually at Twin Rocks Friends Camp and Conference Center in Rockaway Beach, the event is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with friends and develop a deeper relationship with God and a stronger prayer life.

Richard Davidson, Andrews University Theological Seminary senior research professor of Old Testament interpretation, led this year's presentations. Davidson has served as a professor at the school since 1979, served as Adventist Theological Society president, spent many years as Andrews University Old Testament department chair and received numerous awards for academic excellence.

Davidson's broad biblical knowledge and deep study of prayer made him an excellent choice for the event. Many came away with a renewed enthusiasm for prayer. “Davidson led the group in Christ-centered, sanctuary-focused reflections on a central doctrine for Adventists,” shared John McVay, Oregon Conference president, who also attended and shared at the event. “He taught us how to pray in a sanctuary-inspired pattern that encourages deep gratitude to God for the gospel. I was blessed.”

Next year’s prayer conference is already in the planning stages. Watch for more details later this year.

A Photographer’s View of a Weekend Spent in Prayer and Purpose

by Dick Duerksen, photographer and storyteller

“No one has ever asked me to do a weekend on 'Praying Through the Sanctuary.' That was a new idea for me. But I love praying and I love the sanctuary, so I started a new line of research.”  Dr. Davidson chuckled as he spoke. “I wasn’t sure where the study might lead, but I’ve fallen in love with the way the singing Psalmist and the sanctuary work together.”

For many Seventh-day Adventists, the sanctuary is a fearful topic that brings back memories of boring lectures in Academy Bible classes. I joined the Prayer Conference group, not sure of what I would find.

“The desert sanctuary is where I’ve always met my sins face to face,” one of the participants told me. “But Dr. Davidson has given the sanctuary a whole new look. I’ve learned that God gave me the sanctuary to teach me about salvation, and especially about how He’s blotting out all my sins!”

I asked another what she was learning. “It’s like I can have a private conversation with Him in His house.” She paused, drying her eyes again, and added, “For me, the sanctuary is now a place where He welcomes me, a place where I am safe.”

As Dr. Davidson led us to read Psalm 27 as a Sanctuary Prayer, I discovered how God’s home is A Bethel of Beauty, A Temple of Truth, A Palace of Praise, and A Cathedral of Communion. And that was just in the first seven verses! I joined the Psalmist in seeing the sanctuary as a topic filled with hope! A place where God and His Kids walk hand-in-hand through the safety of His house.

“My favorite part was learning how some Jewish people end the Sabbath,” one older man told me.

“First, they light one candle that has several wicks intertwined tightly together. As the candle begins to burn, they remember how God has intertwined their lives with blessings, especially on this Sabbath day.”

“Next, they place a cup on a saucer and pour grape juice into the cup until it overflows onto the saucer. Then they celebrate how God has filled them with overflowing Grace, especially on this Sabbath day.”

“As Dr. Davidson talked with us the sanctuary came alive,” one of the younger folks told me after we’d sung another sanctuary song. “I’ve learned that the sanctuary isn’t about judgement. It’s about God’s love! Jesus is the center of the sanctuary, and He really loves us!!”