The PrayerLine: 1-800-395-PRAY
Click to hear or download PrayerLine audio
"So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth." (1 Corinthians 3:7, NASB)
Hi, this is Eleanor Witcher of IMB's prayer office, asking you to pray for both the physical and spiritual planting season and for God's increase.
In East Asia, believers are being trained to go into villages and establish vegetable test plots, using methods for greater production. As these plots are being established, the national believers will share their faith and provide their host families with media players that contain recordings of the Gospel and worship in their heart language.
This is the hottest season in Mali, with temperatures reaching as high as 125 degrees. Toward the end of this month, the rains will begin. Many Samogho and Senufo Supyire farmers will begin their final preparations of the fields. They need wisdom to know the best time to plant, because if done too early and the rains stop, the seed will be lost. They depend on this seed to provide food to eat and sell, as well as seed for next year's crop. Food is very expensive right now because of the unrest in the country.
Earlier this year, some new Gurage believers of Ethiopia experienced threats and were ostracized from their local farming associations. This has meant not just social isolation, but a withdrawal of help in times of need. The believers are afraid to meet together, but it is important that they remain faithful and encourage each other. In such persecution, wives and extended family members sometimes abandon the believers to avoid rejection themselves.
* Please pray that God will show Himself strong on behalf of these Gurage believers and that the community will see that their lives are blameless and righteous.
* Ask the Lord to send adequate rain for a good harvest in Mali, bringing spiritual encouragement to Samogho and Senufo Supyire believers.
* Intercede for the vegetable test plots in East Asia to work effectively and allow many to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.
You can receive the PrayerLine directly through e-mail by signing up for the IMB's free Mailing List service.
International Mission Board
3806 Monument Avenue
Richmond, VA 23230
[This is a transcript of the audio message currently available on the international missions PrayerLine by calling 1-800-395-PRAY.]
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Prayer impacts the nations
There are many who are untouched by the Gospel and have no chance to know about Jesus. Please pray for the eternal salvation of these people.
Will you also join with others to create a tapestry of prayer for them?
Click here to access all the resources listed below - -
PRAYERthreads journal is available for download.
Click and see this amazing story:
God prepares the way for a church in Tennessee.
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Check out PRAYERthreads KIDS Connect to PRAYERthreads for STUDENTS
If you have questions please contact us at: prayerthreads@imb.org
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I called to the LORD in my distress, and I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry to Him reached His ears." (Psalm 18:6)
WORLD LEADERS - "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence" (1 Timothy 2: 1-2). Please pray today for King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia (Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea).
FUTA TORO FULANI OF WEST AFRICA (FU-tah TOH-roh fu-LAH-nee) - Join the Futa Toro Team in giving thanks to God for answering your prayers as they write: "The team of older women who returned here for their eighth volunteer trip said this was 'the best ever.' God was so clearly directing every contact we had. We were busy from morning until night every day, sharing the Gospel with new friends and old. They followed up in the village of a man they had met two years ago on a prayerwalk. People were clearly touched by what they heard. They had marvelous times with believers in mutual encouragement and were very moved as the Fulani believers ministered to them. They have seen them mature over the years. They also heard two women profess for the first time that they were following Jesus (though they had not witnessed to them previously) and were able to give them some initial discipleship. God's hand even clearly directed them to a new village and new contacts when they became 'lost' on an unmarked bush path."
HIGHLAND SINGERS OF CENTRAL ASIA - "I've been thinking about this the past few days: So many here do not have that blessed hope and do not have hope for their daily lives. The suicide rate here is rising again this spring. It seems to be mostly young people this year . . . young people with no hope for their lives, much less for after. The families are heartbroken, and go through vain rituals in hopes of enabling those souls to enter heaven. Suicide has always been a big issue in this area, but this year, there has been a spate of suicides in our town that really have hit close to home. A family that we are close to had a cousin in the ninth grade take her own life, and then within a week, another neighbor in eleventh grade took his life. In all, more than 16 people, mostly students, have killed themselves this year alone, in this small town of approximately 30,000 people. This is always a tragedy, but so much more so with people living without the hope of life with the Father. Please pray for those families who have lost loved ones, asking that somehow through this grief, they may find Jesus, who brings peace and hope." highlandsingers@gmail.com
For additional prayer requests, click here: Today's Prayer
(If you have difficulty with this link, please go to www.imb.org and click on the "Pray" tab, and then click on the "Today's Prayer" link in the left-hand column.)
International Mission Board
3806 Monument Avenue
Richmond, VA 23230
Commission Stories puts a human face on international Christian missions. It tells the here-and-now, contemporary story of international Christian missions, making it alive and vital, breathing and inspirational, recounting the lives - volunteer, missionary and international - of those who are living the missions story. Discover more at Commissionstories.com.http://www.commissionstories.com/.
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"Let the little children come to Me, and don't stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these," Luke 18:16b
YUMMY HOMEMADE BROWNIES
J is a Christian but her husband is not. They were invited to another couple's home for coffee, but J's husband was scared to go. He took his wife to their house then went food shopping while they visited. After a few hours, he sent J a text message, saying he was ready to go home. J texted back that she wasn't ready; and to everyone's surprise, he rang the doorbell to come in. He sat down for coffee and a homemade brownie.
He was thrilled. He had live in the United States and learned to love brownies. That was all he could talk about! Did you think a brownie could be a good way to start a conversation about Jesus? Please pray for J's husband that he will visit more often and that he will see the brownies as a touch of God's sweet love. Pray that he will ask Jesus to be His Savior.
MORE PRAYER REQUESTS FROM MISSIONARY KIDS
Please pray for me because I am sick with epilepsy. Pray that my medicine will work and that I won't be scared. I thank God for my older brother and sister because they watch out for me. NATHAN, age 4 (European peoples)
Thank You, Lord, for all the beautiful things in the world. LANA, age 4 (European peoples)
Pray for my family, Mom and Dad, and sisters. Pray for my grandparents in America. Thank You, God, for the stars, moon and sun, water and food. Thank You for church and friends. BEN, age 4 (European peoples)
Romania is different-they don't have very many signs, they park on the sidewalk and the language is different. Pray for me that I can learn Romanian and make more friends. Help dad with his work...co-worker gone and he now is the leader with more responsibility.
CARTER, age 6 (European peoples)
Pray for my friend Diego that does not act very appropriately some times. Help me to help him to change. SAMUEL, age 11 (American peoples)
Pray that God would take away |
 Unable to view this newsletter? View it online!* Praise the Lord that after months of praying for their reluctant relatives and neighbors to come to their house and study about Jesus, the last two meetings at the home of a couple in Thailandwere full of people!
* Pray for two young men who have been called to minister in an area that is home to the Shan people of the Pacific Rim, where an addiction to drugs and alcohol is a big problem in the households of some new believers.
* Give thanks to God for sending a Peruvian couple to serve among the Aymara people of Peru, and ask that they will be able to settle in quickly and learn the Aymara language well.
* Please intercede for conferences, workshops and training sessions that will be held during the next six months throughout Mexico, the Caribbean and the Americas in order to train people to share the Gospel cross-culturally,
(scroll down for full prayer request.)
THAI KORAT OF THAILAND (tie coh-RAHT) - For months, B and G invited relatives and neighbors to come to their house and study about Jesus. Their family and friends always had the same excuse: "I have to work." Even on Sundays, they said that they had to work, despite their flexible farming schedules. Nevertheless, B and G continued to pray earnestly for people to want to know about Jesus. Praise the Lord, who hears the prayers of His children! The last two meetings at their house were full, with aunts, an uncle, G's brother, neighbors and many nephews, nieces, and grandchildren all present to learn about Jesus. Pray for these people to understand who Jesus is and why they need Him as their Savior. Pray for a house church to be started in Nong Puang Village.
SHAN OF THE PACIFIC RIM - A big problem in the Shan church, and for new believers, is drugs and alcohol. In one church with approximately 30 homes represented, there are only two homes with family members who are not addicted to heroin. Every night the young people inject heroin. The church is struggling to find an answer for how to break this addiction. For the church mentioned above, two young men have been called to minister there. Mr. G and Mr. S will not only work in this one town with this one church, but also with four other groups of new believers and in seven other villages where there are only two or three households who have believed. Pray for Mr. G and Mr. S as they move to this town and begin to confront this stronghold. Pray that the believers will be freed from all worldly addictions and be fully surrendered to the Lord.
AYMARA OF PERU (eye-MAH-rah) - A missionary presence ended in the Huancane area two-and-a-half years ago, and you were asked to pray for the national believers to continue the work. Recently God answered by sending a national couple from a few hours away, C and D. Please pray for them as they settle into a new job and ministry among the Aymara. They are a Quechua-speaking Peruvian couple with a heart to reach the lost, and they recently relocated to Huancane to live and serve there. D is a teacher in a "country school" and is struggling with communicating to her students because she doesn't speak Aymara. They have also faced several other struggles since relocating to Huancane, including finding adequate housing and experiencing theft. Please pray that they will be able to settle in quickly and that they will learn the Aymara language well. Ask also for the Lord to begin opening doors of ministry for them.
AMERICAN PEOPLES - Personnel serving in the Global Mobilizing Cluster write: "In 1 John 5:14, we read that 'if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.' Throughout Mexico, the Caribbean and the Americas, the next six months will be full of conferences, workshops and training sessions. The goal of all the combined efforts behind these events is to train people to share the Gospel cross-culturally, and to get them from where they are now to where God has called them to be. Our job is to facilitate this process. Right now, there are candidates waiting to go. Pray for them as they prepare. Pray for those already there. Remember us as we walk alongside of them, following in the steps of our Savior. God will hear our prayers!" keinnod@gmail.com
International Mission Board
3806 Monument Avenue
Richmond, VA 23230
Please freely print and distribute this guide at midweek prayer gatherings.
For a printable copy, find this document on the World Wide Web at: http://www.imb.org/main/pray/page.asp?StoryID=7957&LanguageID=1709
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Live a Prayer-Care-Share Lifestyle
My Hope with Billy Graham
...is a grass-roots effort to reach people across the United States and Canada with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Following a simple biblical model,
My Hope combines the reach and excitement of a nationwide media event with the power of personal relationships.
Enter the names of your friends, neighbors, and family who need Jesus Christ and His hope. Start with two or three, and God will bring more to your mind as you pray. Print out your list and pray for them every day and build a strong relationship with them. Invite them to your home in November 2013.
Once you enter names, we will join you in prayer. Please enter first names only to insure confidentiality. Start here >>>
You are invited to join thousands of Christ followers who have decided to reach out with the love of Jesus to our neighbors, friends, family, work associates, classmates, etc. We believe that every person in America should have the opportunity of being authentically loved by at least one committed follower of Jesus Christ within this decade. Every person should know that God loves them and cares deeply about them.
The Mission America Coalition is sounding a trumpet to call God's people to a simple and powerful lifestyle of praying, caring and sharing the love of JesusChrist with those around us. Every Christian can enjoy this lifestyle - including you! Following are the simple steps that we can take together.
Prayer: The Holy Spirit moves in wonderful and mysterious ways when we pray for people. He convicts, woos, and draws people to Jesus. Every follower of Jesus has the opportunity to pray for others to receive Him and enter His family. Jesus asked the disciples to pray for workers to reach the harassed, helpless, and lost. Every one of us can do that as we pray for others to come and follow Jesus.
Care: "Love your neighbor as yourself," Jesus commanded. He personified that as He was moved with compassion by the needs of people. Jesus responded to hurting people by caring in loving ways such as feeding the hungry, healing the sick and comforting the bereaved. Jesus said His true followers would be known by their lives of love. Unconditional love is our DNA as committed followers of Jesus.
Share: There are many ways we can be sharing the Gospel with others for whom we have been praying and caring. It could be as simple as inviting them to a church service, a Bible study, a movie, a concert or another special event where the Gospel message is being shared. Or we may guide them to an evangelistic website, a book, a DVD or share our personal testimony or engage them in a spiritual conversation.
We believe that it is time for a great movement of Godly love in the United States - and beyond. It is time to recommit ourselves to follow Jesus Christ unreservedly and to share His love in deed and word with every possible person who comes into our lives.
We are not asking you to become involved in another short-term program. We believe that it is time for us to change our long-term lifestyles by becoming praying, caring and sharing followers of Jesus. If only 10% of professing Christians in America would begin to aggressively live the life of love, it would be possible to express God's love to every man, woman, young person and child in this nation by the year 2020.
Please join us today by going to www.love2020.com and then share this invitation message with as many Believers as possible. We are praying that the thousands who are now involved will grow to become tens of thousands and then hundreds of thousands and perhaps millions who will become involved in a great movement of authentic love generated by our deep love for Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit. May the love of God fill this nation as never before and spread to the other nations of the world.
It is time to share Christ's love!
Connect @ www.LOVE2020.com
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Phil's BlogsPostings from Phil Miglioratti's blogs on prayer and city transformation - Click for:
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How to Pray for Your Association
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>>>KEEP SCROLLING for RELATED CONTENT & COMMENTARY, RESOURCES & REPLIES
Jerry Wooley
EDITOR'S NOTE: This column is part of the call to prayer for revival and spiritual awakening for 2013 that Frank Page, president of the SBC Executive Committee, has issued to Southern Baptist churches for the nation and the world. Baptist Press is carrying First-Person articles during the year encouraging Southern Baptists to pray in specific areas and for specific needs in petitioning the Father for spiritual awakening
NASHVILLE (BP) - Over the next eight weeks, 25,000 Southern Baptist churches will be opening their doors to their communities and inviting thousands of unchurched families - spiritual orphans - to experience the Gospel through the time-tested ministry of Vacation Bible School.
Churches will collectively enroll 3 million kids, students and adults during this short time, for an average of 120 people per church. This is an amazing number in itself, but a closer look at the statistics reveals even more exciting news that should call each of us to prayer every time we see a sign or banner announcing a VBS.
History tells us that 10 percent of everyone attending VBS this summer will be unchurched. This is a staggering 300,000 individuals and does not include the child who puts his grandmother's church name on the registration card but in reality doesn't attend except for Mother's Day. Nor does 300,000 tell the complete story of the actual number represented by these unchurched kids.
Think about it for a moment. Most of these 300,000 individuals are kids. To this number we must add parents, younger and older siblings and possibly a grandparent or two who also lives in the home. When everyone is factored in, we estimate that 1,050,000 unchurched individuals will be identified this summer.
The average VBS of 120 (which includes both kids and workers) will result in 12 unchurched individuals actually attending VBS and an additional 30 unchurched family members at home.
Another statistic that should call all of us to prayer is the number of professions of faith recorded as a result of VBS. Again, based on history, there will be 80,000 professions of faith made during the weeks of VBS alone. This does not account for the thousands of people who are exposed to the Gospel during VBS and make a profession of faith during the following weeks, or the thousands of family members who make professions of faith as a result of follow-up contacts at the homes of children attending VBS.
one of the strongest evangelistic ministries
As you pray
As you drive
The number one issue most VBS leaders express is the need for more workers.
Ask God to give VBS leaders a vision for intentional follow-up that goes beyond a "thanks for attending" postcard.
VBS doesn't just happen. It requires enormous work and resources. But most of all it requires enormous prayer. The results are worth it!
Jerry Wooley is Vacation Bible School ministry specialist with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Initial articles about the Call to Prayer that Frank Page issued to Southern Baptists for 2013 can be read here and here. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress ) and in your email (baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp).
God has called every believer to co-labor with Him as He brings people into a meaningful, fruitful relationship with Jesus Christ. God's ways are simple. We all have a part to play that involves three integrated activities:
My Hope with Billy Graham
...is a grass-roots effort to reach people across the United States and Canada with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Following a simple biblical model,
My Hope celebrates the 95th birthday of Billy Graham with the power of personal relationships.
Enter the names of your friends, neighbors, and family who need Jesus Christ and His hope. Start with two or three, and God will bring more to your mind as you pray. Print out your list and pray for them every day and build a strong relationship with them. Invite them to your home in November 2013.
Once you enter names, we will join you in prayer. Please enter first names only to insure confidentiality. Start here >>>
You are invited to join thousands of Christ followers who have decided to reach out with the love of Jesus to our neighbors, friends, family, work associates, classmates, etc. We believe that every person in America should have the opportunity of being authentically loved by at least one committed follower of Jesus Christ within this decade. Every person should know that God loves them and cares deeply about them.
The Mission America Coalition is sounding a trumpet to call God's people to a simple and powerful lifestyle of praying, caring and sharing the love of JesusChrist with those around us. Every Christian can enjoy this lifestyle - including you! Following are the simple steps that we can take together.
Prayer: The Holy Spirit moves in wonderful and mysterious ways when we pray for people. He convicts, woos, and draws people to Jesus. Every follower of Jesus has the opportunity to pray for others to receive Him and enter His family. Jesus asked the disciples to pray for workers to reach the harassed, helpless, and lost. Every one of us can do that as we pray for others to come and follow Jesus.
Care: "Love your neighbor as yourself," Jesus commanded. He personified that as He was moved with compassion by the needs of people. Jesus responded to hurting people by caring in loving ways such as feeding the hungry, healing the sick and comforting the bereaved. Jesus said His true followers would be known by their lives of love. Unconditional love is our DNA as committed followers of Jesus.
Share: There are many ways we can be sharing the Gospel with others for whom we have been praying and caring. It could be as simple as inviting them to a church service, a Bible study, a movie, a concert or another special event where the Gospel message is being shared. Or we may guide them to an evangelistic website, a book, a DVD or share our personal testimony or engage them in a spiritual conversation.
We believe that it is time for a great movement of Godly love in the United States - and beyond. It is time to recommit ourselves to follow Jesus Christ unreservedly and to share His love in deed and word with every possible person who comes into our lives.
We are not asking you to become involved in another short-term program. We believe that it is time for us to change our long-term lifestyles by becoming praying, caring and sharing followers of Jesus. If only 10% of professing Christians in America would begin to aggressively live the life of love, it would be possible to express God's love to every man, woman, young person and child in this nation by the year 2020.
Please join us today by going to www.love2020.com and then share this invitation message with as many Believers as possible. We are praying that the thousands who are now involved will grow to become tens of thousands and then hundreds of thousands and perhaps millions who will become involved in a great movement of authentic love generated by our deep love for Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit. May the love of God fill this nation as never before and spread to the other nations of the world.
It is time to share Christ's love!
Connect @ www.LOVE2020.com
Postings from Phil Miglioratti's blogs on prayer and city transformation - Click for:
Jerry Wooley
EDITOR'S NOTE: This column is part of the call to prayer for revival and spiritual awakening for 2013 that Frank Page, president of the SBC Executive Committee, has issued to Southern Baptist churches for the nation and the world. Baptist Press is carrying First-Person articles during the year encouraging Southern Baptists to pray in specific areas and for specific needs in petitioning the Father for spiritual awakening
NASHVILLE (BP) - Over the next eight weeks, 25,000 Southern Baptist churches will be opening their doors to their communities and inviting thousands of unchurched families - spiritual orphans - to experience the Gospel through the time-tested ministry of Vacation Bible School.
Churches will collectively enroll 3 million kids, students and adults during this short time, for an average of 120 people per church. This is an amazing number in itself, but a closer look at the statistics reveals even more exciting news that should call each of us to prayer every time we see a sign or banner announcing a VBS.
History tells us that 10 percent of everyone attending VBS this summer will be unchurched. This is a staggering 300,000 individuals and does not include the child who puts his grandmother's church name on the registration card but in reality doesn't attend except for Mother's Day. Nor does 300,000 tell the complete story of the actual number represented by these unchurched kids.
Think about it for a moment. Most of these 300,000 individuals are kids. To this number we must add parents, younger and older siblings and possibly a grandparent or two who also lives in the home. When everyone is factored in, we estimate that 1,050,000 unchurched individuals will be identified this summer.
The average VBS of 120 (which includes both kids and workers) will result in 12 unchurched individuals actually attending VBS and an additional 30 unchurched family members at home.
Another statistic that should call all of us to prayer is the number of professions of faith recorded as a result of VBS. Again, based on history, there will be 80,000 professions of faith made during the weeks of VBS alone. This does not account for the thousands of people who are exposed to the Gospel during VBS and make a profession of faith during the following weeks, or the thousands of family members who make professions of faith as a result of follow-up contacts at the homes of children attending VBS.
one of the strongest evangelistic ministries
As you pray
As you drive
The number one issue most VBS leaders express is the need for more workers.
Ask God to give VBS leaders a vision for intentional follow-up that goes beyond a "thanks for attending" postcard.
VBS doesn't just happen. It requires enormous work and resources. But most of all it requires enormous prayer. The results are worth it!
Jerry Wooley is Vacation Bible School ministry specialist with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Initial articles about the Call to Prayer that Frank Page issued to Southern Baptists for 2013 can be read here and here. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress ) and in your email (baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp).
God has called every believer to co-labor with Him as He brings people into a meaningful, fruitful relationship with Jesus Christ. God's ways are simple. We all have a part to play that involves three integrated activities:
My Hope with Billy Graham
...is a grass-roots effort to reach people across the United States and Canada with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Following a simple biblical model,
My Hope celebrates the 95th birthday of Billy Graham with the power of personal relationships.
Enter the names of your friends, neighbors, and family who need Jesus Christ and His hope. Start with two or three, and God will bring more to your mind as you pray. Print out your list and pray for them every day and build a strong relationship with them. Invite them to your home in November 2013.
Once you enter names, we will join you in prayer. Please enter first names only to insure confidentiality. Start here >>>
You are invited to join thousands of Christ followers who have decided to reach out with the love of Jesus to our neighbors, friends, family, work associates, classmates, etc. We believe that every person in America should have the opportunity of being authentically loved by at least one committed follower of Jesus Christ within this decade. Every person should know that God loves them and cares deeply about them.
The Mission America Coalition is sounding a trumpet to call God's people to a simple and powerful lifestyle of praying, caring and sharing the love of JesusChrist with those around us. Every Christian can enjoy this lifestyle - including you! Following are the simple steps that we can take together.
Prayer: The Holy Spirit moves in wonderful and mysterious ways when we pray for people. He convicts, woos, and draws people to Jesus. Every follower of Jesus has the opportunity to pray for others to receive Him and enter His family. Jesus asked the disciples to pray for workers to reach the harassed, helpless, and lost. Every one of us can do that as we pray for others to come and follow Jesus.
Care: "Love your neighbor as yourself," Jesus commanded. He personified that as He was moved with compassion by the needs of people. Jesus responded to hurting people by caring in loving ways such as feeding the hungry, healing the sick and comforting the bereaved. Jesus said His true followers would be known by their lives of love. Unconditional love is our DNA as committed followers of Jesus.
Share: There are many ways we can be sharing the Gospel with others for whom we have been praying and caring. It could be as simple as inviting them to a church service, a Bible study, a movie, a concert or another special event where the Gospel message is being shared. Or we may guide them to an evangelistic website, a book, a DVD or share our personal testimony or engage them in a spiritual conversation.
We believe that it is time for a great movement of Godly love in the United States - and beyond. It is time to recommit ourselves to follow Jesus Christ unreservedly and to share His love in deed and word with every possible person who comes into our lives.
We are not asking you to become involved in another short-term program. We believe that it is time for us to change our long-term lifestyles by becoming praying, caring and sharing followers of Jesus. If only 10% of professing Christians in America would begin to aggressively live the life of love, it would be possible to express God's love to every man, woman, young person and child in this nation by the year 2020.
Please join us today by going to www.love2020.com and then share this invitation message with as many Believers as possible. We are praying that the thousands who are now involved will grow to become tens of thousands and then hundreds of thousands and perhaps millions who will become involved in a great movement of authentic love generated by our deep love for Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit. May the love of God fill this nation as never before and spread to the other nations of the world.
It is time to share Christ's love!
Connect @ www.LOVE2020.com
Postings from Phil Miglioratti's blogs on prayer and city transformation - Click for:
1. Pray that the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the people affected by these disasters will be met in a timely way by all appropriate means.
2. Pray that the governments of foreign countries will work with international relief organizations to restore basic services to their people.
3. Pray for the thousands of volunteers who are serving at the sites of these disasters as the hands and feet of Christ. Pray that their stamina will be unflagging, and that their compassionate service will point to the saving power and presence of Jesus Christ.
4. Pray for the physical and spiritual well-being of the Christ followers in these various areas.
5. Rejoice that our Disaster Relief volunteers are ready, willing, and able to react quickly to meet the needs in affected areas.
6. Pray that the Lord will vindicate the motives of these volunteers in the eyes of a watching world. Ask the Lord to sustain them with His tender mercies as they return home and attempt to regain some semblance of normalcy.
7. Pray that donors will continue to contribute to the ongoing relief needs of these devastated communities.
8. Pray that these disasters will heighten the awareness of all volunteer groups of the need for adequate training, orientation, and preparation prior to embarking on ministry trips at home or abroad.
9. Pray that doors of opportunity remain open for our trained Disaster Relief volunteers to assist those placed in need whenever and wherever a natural disaster may occur.
10. Pray that these disasters will serve as a catalyst for a new generation of volunteers to enlist for training through SBC Disaster Relief for effective deployment and service for both present and future needs ... SO THAT ...
THE CHURCH IN THE COMMUNITY WILL HAVE A STRONG TESTIMONY OF LOVING THEIR NEIGHBORS AND THE NEIGHBORHOODS
Postings from Phil Miglioratti's blogs on prayer and city transformation - Click for:
Pray. Sunday. For Other Congregations!
All Chicago Concert Of Prayer ~ a Moody Broadcast
Love it? Live it!
IMB Prayer Resources (especially for kids and families)
Neighborhood Connections? Start here ...
Special Discount Offer to Prayer Leaders
Outreach tool (Explore God) produces spiritual conversations
Prayer Evangelism opportunities from Kevin Ezell
Prayer fuels Church Planting
God has called every believer to co-labor with Him as He brings people into a meaningful, fruitful relationship with Jesus Christ. God's ways are simple. We all have a part to play that involves three integrated activities:
IBSA Prayer Ministries
Show your congregation what Churches Together can do!
With IBSA's national ministry partners focusing almost exclusively on church starts, Baptists in Illinois must target outreach that includes our big cites, but also other missions and evangelism works that are important to people here.
"We simply have to have more aggressive evangelism, church planting, collegiate ministry, ministry centers - all these kinds of efforts to get out into the lostness of our state," IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams said in a interview for one of the new missions videos.
The statewide goal for the 2013 Mission Illinois Offering is $475,000. After last year's giving totaling $434,765, raising an extra $40,000 this fall will require big goals from participating churches. It will also require more churches to join the effort. In 2012, only about half of IBSA's 1,000 member churches gave to the state missions offering.
All of the gifts to the state missions offering stay in Illinois.
Getting an early start is important. Share the information in the Mission Illinois promotion kit with the appropriate church leaders. Brainstorm how to customize the materials for your church's State Missions emphasis. Here are some options:
Week of Prayer, September 15-22.
Columbia pastor Jonathan Peters, reaching from metro St. Louis to Chicagoland to help save the lost in his hometown
Love your neighbor; far & near
Love your people group
Understanding God's heart for the nations and how your church fits into that plan is incomplete until you take steps to obediently engage in His plan. Engaging is built on prayer and love for a people whom God has made known to your church. How do you learn their worldview? How do you create a strategy? Check out six studies to help you understand your role in engaging your people group.
Love your neighbor; far and near ... adults and kids
#MakeLoveYourAimConnect to LOVE2020.com
Pursuing a "Love your neighbor" lifestyle
The Church @ Ground Zero in Chicago
IMB @ Prayer ~ School of Prayer graduates inaugural class
Prayer: Group conversation requires group commitment
Postings from Phil Miglioratti's blogs on prayer and city transformation - Click for:
Love it? Live it!
Tell A Story Spread Some Love Got Video?
By Joe Conway
ALPHARETTA, Ga.- Luke 10:2, the biblical admonition to pray workers into the Lord's harvest, is driving a national prayer strategy quickly approaching a major milestone. The North American Mission Board's TenTwo prayer initiative invites churches to join in focused prayer for laborers on October 2 and beyond.
"I learned about the TenTwo prayer initiative on Twitter and followed the link to NAMB's website," said Daniel Ausbun, pastor of First Baptist Church Moreland, Ga. Ausbun watched the online video, liked what he saw and decided to share it with the church.
"We showed the two-minute video and read Luke 10:2," said Ausbun.
"[Everyone] was nodding their heads in agreement that we have an abundant harvest and we need to ask God to send workers into the harvest field. Everyone knows we need to pray, and TenTwo provides an organized opportunity for that."
On Oct. 2, First Baptist Moreland will join Canadian and Southern Baptist churches across North America in praying for workers for the harvest. Many, like Moreland, are intentionally taking their normal Wednesday evening activities and focusing them on prayer.
"We are going to replace our Wednesday night Bible study with an hour-long prayer service," said Ausbun. "No sermon, no songs, no testimonies-only prayer-a true prayer meeting. Everyone is welcome to come and pray. OnWednesday, Oct. 2 at 10:02 a.m. and 10:02 p.m. we want our entire church to pause and pray, wherever they are."
Gary Frost leads NAMB's national prayer strategies. He is excited about the prospect of Oct. 2 and what it means for bringing the Gospel to communities throughout North America and beyond.
"Penetrating lostness in North America is a huge task," said Frost, Midwest region vice president for NAMB. "Everywhere I go I hear a 'TenTwo buzz,' sometimes literally. Baptists everywhere are setting their phone alarms to 10:02 a.m. or p.m. to remind them to pray for God, by His Holy Spirit, to stir the hearts of harvesters to leave their comfort zones and work the fields. Personally it has become a vital and welcomed 'alert' for me every single day to remind me of the lostness of our world and the urgency of sharing the love of Christ in every opportunity."
Churches like First Baptist Church Rose Bud, Ark., are not letting the fact that they do not have a prayer meeting on Wednesday keep them from participating. The central Arkansas church will use the entire month of October to pray and promote TenTwo.
"We plan to kick off our efforts on the last Sunday in September," said Kathy Moss, ministry assistant at the church. "We will have home prayer meetings the first Sunday night in October and have other activities planned for the month using the TenTwo DVD and prayer guides."
"I'm planning to preach from Luke 10:2 on Sunday, Sept. 29 [the Sunday beforeOctober 2]," said Ausbun. "I'd like to encourage other pastors to remind their people who 'the Lord of the harvest' is. I believe prayer evangelism is something we've gotten away from in the SBC. God sometimes has to remind me that only He can save a soul. Without prayer, our evangelism is fruitless. Pray for God to send workers to share Christ with the lost and pray for God to save lost people."
To view a TenTwo video, visit namb.net/video/tentwo/. To explore other resources for TenTwo, visithttp://www.namb.net/tentwo.
Joe Conway writes for the North American Mission Board.
Don't Forget to Remember!
Tell A Story Spread Some Love Got Video?
A new website is available to help you remember to pray for your neighbors and loved ones!
Tell us how you see God working as you pray, care, and share with the people in your life! Submit a story in writing of reaching out to others, or e-mail a video toPhil@missionamerica.org.
Love your neighbor; far and near ... adults and kids
#MakeLoveYourAimConnect to LOVE2020.com
Pursuing a "Love your neighbor" lifestyle
The Church @ Ground Zero in Chicago
IMB @ Prayer ~ School of Prayer graduates inaugural class
Prayer: Group conversation requires group commitment
Postings from Phil Miglioratti's blogs on prayer and city transformation - Click for:
Roger S. (Sing) Oldham
NASHVILLE (BP) - In three short years, my wife and I have moved from no grandchildren to five grandchildren. Talk about a whirlwind of change!
The world into which these precious little ones were born is also experiencing a whirlwind of change. This year alone has witnessed a juggernaut of sweeping cultural turmoil.
The book of Judges closes with this telling observation: "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25).
As it was in the days of the Judges in Israel, so it is in the days of the Judges in the United States. The decision of five U.S. Supreme Court judges on June 26was a tipping point for our nation. In overturning the law of the land, the Defense of Marriage Act, it codified the frigid moral climate of our nation. It called good evil and evil good. It opened the door for everyone to do what is right in his or her own eyes!
It will be increasingly difficult for our children and our children's children to withstand the onslaught of this cultural revolution. When I visit my grandchildren and view the pictures their parents keep in steady supply, my heart is stirred with deep emotion. How I love my grandchildren and long for them to become champions for Christ ... no matter the cost!
No matter the cost? What if the cost is their being marginalized as second-class citizens? What if the cost is restricted educational and employment opportunities because of their commitment to the full Lordship of Jesus Christ? What if the cost is even higher?
Having ministered in several Eastern European countries since the Iron Curtain came crashing down, I have seen first-hand many young adults having their options curtailed because of their faith. Many of their parents and grandparents had been imprisoned and even killed because of their refusal to compromise their Christian convictions.
Walking through the propaganda timeline in the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum in Poland was a sobering experience. In the lead-up to the Holocaust, the German news media systematically and incrementally demonized the Jews until they became the pariahs of society. Over the past few decades, I have watched with increasing concern in our own country as the media have incrementally and systematically demonized evangelical Christians.
My generation of American Christians has not had to suffer for the cause of Christ to any significant degree. However, it is very likely that our children and our children's children will bear the brunt of the full wrath of a society that has forgotten God. I would much rather be the generation that suffered in order to provide for a better future for my grandchildren; but it appears that just the opposite will be the case ... unless we see a massive spiritual awakening that stirs our nation once again.
How, then, do we pray for our children and our children's children?
Salvation
First and foremost, we pray for their salvation.
One of the distinctive marks of Christian faith is that each generation, each person, must make his or her own confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. There is no such thing as a default Christ-follower. The Apostle John reminded us that we are born again "not of blood [human lineage], nor of the will of the flesh [human ability], nor of the will of man [human volition], but of God" (John1:12). We must herald forth the Gospel of Christ to our own children in order that they may respond to Jesus Christ in repentance and genuine faith. To this end we pray.
Fruit of the Spirit
Second, we pray that they - and we - will radiate the fruit of the Spirit.
One of the great verses from Psalms declares, "They looked to Him and were radiant; and their faces were not ashamed" (Psalm 34:5). When the Spirit of Christ dwells in our hearts by faith, He cries out from within us, "Abba, Father" (Galatians 4:6; Romans 8:15). The government may seek to restrict our worship of Christ in the public square; but there is no law against "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). The radiant presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of a surrendered believer is the most compelling visible witness for Christ the world will ever know. To this end we pray.
Whole armor of God
Third, we pray that they - and we - will be clothed with the whole armor of God.
The Apostle Paul gave this warning and reminder: "you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand" (Ephesians 6:13). When our mind is covered by the helmet of salvation; when our heart is protected by the breastplate of righteousness; when our waist is girded with truth; when our feet are sandaled with readiness for the Gospel of peace; when we hold the shield of faith and wield the sword of the Spirit - only then are we prepared for the fiery darts hurled our way. To this end we pray.
Spiritual awakening
Fourth, we do not quit praying for a spiritual awakening in our country and around the world.
Hopefully, we all live in the triumph of Matthew 24:14 - "This good news of the Kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations. And then the end will come." Oh how we so work, long for and pray!
But we must not miss the context. Jesus gave clear warning, reminder and encouragement in the preceding paragraph (verses 9-13): "Then they will hand you over for persecution, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of My name. Then many will take offense, betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be delivered."
The worldwide mandate to proclaim the Gospel is not framed as something done from beds of ease; it is framed in a path of suffering, persecution and even demonization by the world's system. Should we expect any less for ourselves than that which our Master Himself suffered?
We pray for spiritual awakening. We pray for salvation, strength and courage for ourselves and those we love. We toil on in faithfulness ... until that day! To this end we pray.
Roger S. Oldham is vice president for convention communications and relations with the SBC Executive Committee. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress) and in your email (baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp).
Postings from Phil Miglioratti's blogs on prayer and city transformation - Click for:
By Joe Conway
ALPHARETTA, Ga.- Luke 10:2, the biblical admonition to pray workers into the Lord's harvest, is driving a national prayer strategy quickly approaching a major milestone. The North American Mission Board's TenTwo prayer initiative invites churches to join in focused prayer for laborers on October 2 and beyond.
"I learned about the TenTwo prayer initiative on Twitter and followed the link to NAMB's website," said Daniel Ausbun, pastor of First Baptist Church Moreland, Ga. Ausbun watched the online video, liked what he saw and decided to share it with the church.
"We showed the two-minute video and read Luke 10:2," said Ausbun.
"[Everyone] was nodding their heads in agreement that we have an abundant harvest and we need to ask God to send workers into the harvest field. Everyone knows we need to pray, and TenTwo provides an organized opportunity for that."
On Oct. 2, First Baptist Moreland will join Canadian and Southern Baptist churches across North America in praying for workers for the harvest. Many, like Moreland, are intentionally taking their normal Wednesday evening activities and focusing them on prayer.
"We are going to replace our Wednesday night Bible study with an hour-longprayer service," said Ausbun. "No sermon, no songs, no testimonies-onlyprayer-a true prayer meeting. Everyone is welcome to come and pray. On Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 10:02 a.m. and 10:02 p.m. we want our entire church to pause and pray, wherever they are."
Gary Frost leads NAMB's national prayer strategies. He is excited about the prospect of Oct. 2 and what it means for bringing the Gospel to communities throughout North America and beyond.
"Penetrating lostness in North America is a huge task," said Frost, Midwest region vice president for NAMB. "Everywhere I go I hear a 'TenTwo buzz,' sometimes literally. Baptists everywhere are setting their phone alarms to 10:02 a.m. or p.m. to remind them to pray for God, by His Holy Spirit, to stir the hearts of harvesters to leave their comfort zones and work the fields. Personally it has become a vital and welcomed 'alert' for me every single day to remind me of the lostness of our world and the urgency of sharing the love of Christ in every opportunity."
Churches like First Baptist Church Rose Bud, Ark., are not letting the fact that they do not have a prayer meeting on Wednesday keep them from participating. The central Arkansas church will use the entire month of October to pray and promote TenTwo.
"We plan to kick off our efforts on the last Sunday in September," said Kathy Moss, ministry assistant at the church. "We will have home prayer meetings the first Sunday night in October and have other activities planned for the month using the TenTwo DVD and prayer guides."
"I'm planning to preach from Luke 10:2 on Sunday, Sept. 29 [the Sunday before October 2]," said Ausbun. "I'd like to encourage other pastors to remind their people who 'the Lord of the harvest' is. I believe prayer evangelism is something we've gotten away from in the SBC. God sometimes has to remind me that only He can save a soul. Without prayer, our evangelism is fruitless.Pray for God to send workers to share Christ with the lost and pray for God to save lost people."
To view a TenTwo video, visit namb.net/video/tentwo/. To explore other resources for TenTwo, visithttp://www.namb.net/tentwo.
Joe Conway writes for the North American Mission Board.
Love your neighbor; far and near ... adults and kids
#MakeLoveYourAimConnect to LOVE2020.com
Pursuing a "Love your neighbor" lifestyle
The Church @ Ground Zero in Chicago
IMB @ Prayer ~ School of Prayer graduates inaugural class
Prayer: Group conversation requires group commitment
Don't Forget to Remember!
Tell A Story Spread Some Love Got Video?
A new website is available to help you remember to pray for your neighbors and loved ones!
Tell us how you see God working as you pray, care, and share with the people in your life! Submit a story in writing of reaching out to others, or e-mail a video toPhil@missionamerica.org.
All the believers were one in heart and mind. Acts 4:32
So:
Published in IL Baptist
We are convinced more than ever that in these days God is summoning His people to pray, to stand firm in faith and united prayer until we see God bring forth His blessing and transformation in our cities, communities, our world. Now is the time to seek God's face; now is the time to seek His kingdom.
Here is what people have said as they have prayed through the Seek God for the City prayer guide:
* Our church has used Seek God for the City for many years now. Our folks look forward to this every year. It has been a blessing to be part of a wider prayer movement. Several folks use it all year long by just starting over every 40 days.
* Seek God has greatly encouraged us and infused us with an anticipation of what God is doing and going to do in our midst.
* It really drew the body together. Many churches, radio stations, and organizations were involved praying together.
* We always use the Seek God for the City prayer guide for our church. The prayers are powerful, helping us to unite our prayers and focus together in powerful, biblical, hope-filled prayers. I also really appreciate the focus on different people groups and sectors of society. It is a powerful tool for prayer.
* I love this prayer guide and I've used others before. I'm always strengthened by the big scope and instructed on HOW to pray more effectively. I use it, I refer to it, I share from it, I read all the intro and extra helps, and I keep it for a long time afterward!
Seek God for the City is designed to unite and focus prayer through the 40 days leading to Palm Sunday, March 5 through April 13, 2014. It is affordable, and the quantity discounts make the 64-page booklet available for as little as $1.20 a copy. Check out the details at www.waymakers.org or call us at 800.264-5214.
There is still a bit more time for leaders in recognized positions of pastoral or prayer leadership to call for a complimentary review copy. Please call our office at 800.264.5214 to request a review booklet.
We are honored to be partnering with you,
Barb Hawthorne and Stephanie Tucker
WayMakers
PS Please check our website for the release of the companionapp, children's guide and Spanish translation.
WayMakers
© 2013 WayMakers. All Rights Reserved.
MORE HELP @
Love your neighbor; far and near ... adults and kids
@MakeLoveYourAimConnect to LOVE2020.com
Pursuing a "Love your neighbor" lifestyle
The Church @ Ground Zero in Chicago
IMB @ Prayer ~ School of Prayer graduates inaugural class
Prayer: Group conversation requires group commitment
Getting Out of Our Seats
by Associate Pastor Mark Jones
I praise God for our Wednesday night prayer meeting this summer. We had a great summer tangibly reaching out to our community. Since the weather warmed up in late May we have had regular opportunities to "Get Out of Our Seats & Into the Streets" with our prayer meeting on Wednesday evenings.
Phil Miglioratti, former interim pastor at Uptown Baptist Church, first taught us this method. We called it "Free Lemonade; Free Prayer." As Phil prepared our congregation to minister outside the doors of the church, he taught us what to do as well as what to expect.
For instance, he would teach our members to offer "free lemonade and free prayer" to people passing by the church and to watch and see what God would do. He taught us not to force the gospel on people, just to offer free lemonade and prayer and see where the conversation would lead.
We would set up tables with lemonade and church information such as Bibles, tracts, etc... We would always have a brief time of prayer and preparation before we went out. This was important as it helped prepare our people for what to do and how to respond to people when we interacted with them.
We had a blessed time doing that this summer. Prior to going out in the community we would thank God for our diverse community. We prayed that the Lord would give us divine appointments (Eph. 2:8-10). We asked God to guide our conversations and that the people we encountered would be open to the gospel. We also prayed for boldness.
After preparing our congregation we would set up 4 tables, one on each of the street corners. We would always have at least one person at each table that was well trained in sharing his/her faith. We would set up each table with lemonade or water and have other church information such as Bibles, tracts, and church business cards there.
When we offered free lemonade and prayer we saw many different responses. Some people wouldn't talk to us and walked away, some would take the lemonade, but refused the prayer, and many others were so moved that we offered to pray for them that they would open up and share their hearts with us.
Because we prepared our congregation beforehand and debriefed afterwards our people were prepared overall for the varied responses.
There were so many blessings this summer from taking our prayer meeting outside our church doors. One of the great blessings of this ministry is that God used our everyday people that care about our community to reach out and touch the lost and hurting in our community.
Most of our people are not trained evangelists. Many would say they don't have the gift of evangelism. Many of us are nervous about going outside the doors of the church to minister in this way. But we were simply people who cared for our community and wanted to be a blessing.
As we stepped out of our seats and into the streets of Uptown, the Lord blessed our faithfulness. We had so many amazing conversations and opportunities to pray for people in our community.
Our Sr Pr Michael Allen talks about how people need a word, a look or a touch in the name of Jesus. In many ways our congregation represented "Jesus with flesh on" in our community on Wednesday evenings this summer. I cannot tell you how many people said they were so glad to see our church outside the church doors in the community.
Here are some highlights:
While giving away excellent bread along with prayer & lemonade, one of the key leaders, Tony Anderson, talked to people he encountered about the "Bread of Life", Jesus Christ. He had many powerful conversations with people that evening and throughout the summer.
One Wednesday evening we had a mission team from West Plains, MO, perform an impromptu concert on the church steps as our congregation offered prayer and lemonade on the 4 corners of Wilson and Sheridan. It was a powerful evening of ministry.
One Wednesday evening Freddie Bell offered prayer and a Bible to a family that was just driving by. He just went up to the driver and gave him a Bible. I so appreciated Freddie's joy and his boldness for Jesus this summer.
Finally, I loved seeing how much we grew as a congregation as we regularly shared our faith on Wednesday evenings. While it's important to learn how to share our faith, unless we do it, much of our learning is wasted. We have to apply what we are learning. That's what we did this summer and as we ministered to people in this way we grew in the Lord and were a blessing to our community.
Your partner in proclaiming Christ,
Mark Jones, Associate Pr of Growth Groups
Uptown Baptist Church, Chicago, IL
773.784-2922
growthgroups@uptownbaptistchurch.org
Email Reminds Members to Pray!
Tell A Story Spread Some Love Got Video?
A new website is available to help you remember to pray for your neighbors and loved ones!
Tell us how you see God working as you pray, care, and share with the people in your life! Submit a story in writing of reaching out to others, or e-mail a video toPhil@missionamerica.org.
Postings from Phil Miglioratti's blogs on prayer and city transformation - Click for:
LEADER ~ Lord of the Universe. Lord of this planet. Lord of the nations. Lord of our hearts. On this National Day of Prayer, we look to You...
In the darkness, You are our Light.
In the storm, You are our Anchor.
CONGREGATION~ In our weakness, You are our Strength. In our grief, You are our Comfort.
In our despair, You are our Hope.
L~ In our confusion, You are our Wisdom. In time of terrorism, You are our Shield. In time of war, You are our Peace.
C~ In times of uncertainty, You are the Rock on which we stand.
L~ We make our prayer to You using the words of the prophet Daniel:
O Lord, You are the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with those who love Him and keep His commandments. You are merciful and forgiving. You are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame because we have sinned against You, and done wrong. We have turned away from Your commands and principles. We have turned away from You.
C~ Yet You have promised in 2 Chronicles 7, that if we-a people identified with You-would humble ourselves, pray, seek Your face, and turn from our wicked ways, then You would hear our prayer, forgive our sin and heal our land.
L~ So we choose to stop pointing our finger at the sins of others, and examine our own hearts and lives. We choose to acknowledge our own sin-our neglect and defiance and ignorance and even rejection of You. This day we choose to repent.
C~ In response to our heartfelt repentance, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Father of Jesus Christ, in keeping with all Your righteous acts and according to Your promise, turn away Your anger and Your wrath from the United States of America.
L~ Hear the prayers and petitions offered to You on this National Day of Prayer, as we give You our full attention. Give ear, our God, and hear; open Your eyes and see. We do not make requests of You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy.
ALL~ For the glory of Your Name hear our prayer, forgive our sin, and heal our land.
We ask this in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ who offers us salvation from Your judgment, forgiveness for our sin, and reconciliation with You through His own blood shed on the Cross. Amen.
- 2014 National Prayer by Anne Graham Lotz
Positive Prayer ~ A Workshop/Experience
Friday, April 18, 2014
Saturday, May 10, Dolton, IL
10am - 2pm * Lunch Provided
Cheryl Dorsey (Chicago Metro Baptist Association Prayer Coordiantor)
&
Phil Miglioratti (Illinois Baptist Prayer Ministries)
√out ~ Positive Prayer >>>
Not just more prayer, but praying rightly changes things.
Eddie Pullen, IBSA Church Planting Strategist
God expanded my thinking of what Acts 1:8 means and the power of the Holy Spirit to use our testimony and witness. It is telling others how God came to be in our lives but it is also how God wants to use our testimony of what He is doing in our lives right now. Holy Spirit led testimony is the power source for moving power a step closer in their journey with the Lord. That leads to my "aha moment" at the prayer summit.
The "aha moment" for me was being reminded of how to pray in agreement with God. The most important thing is not my request (forgive me Lord for praying this way too many times). The most important thing is "God's desire". I will spend my time seeking God's desire and then I will ask God to align my requests with His desire. That alignment will allow me to testify and witness of the Acts 1:8 power the Holy Spirit longs to express through me. I do not want to live without a present tense witness and testimony of what God can and will do through me when I agree with Him. Claude and Gregg's testimonies of how God was using prayer in their lives moved me to want that kind of prayer life with God.
An unassuming servant of the Most High God,
Bob Dickerson, Pastor, First Baptist Church in Marion
The retreat was a refreshing and convicting time for me. It was refreshing in that I had the opportunity to have some extended downtime to pray, meditate and listen to the Father. It was convicting because I don't spend that kind of time with my Heavenly Father often enough. That conviction has led me to see new opportunities for growth in my time with the Father and has reminded me that the best way to spend my alone time is with Him and not in front of some mindless media.
Charles Campbell, IBSA Director of Church Planting, Southern Region
The prayer summit reminded me just how holy God is and how holy he wants us to be. I also learned the importance of right relationships as it co-relates to answered prayer. Prayer tends to lift burdens off of my shoulders. I felt a million miles away from all my cares and concerns.
Michael Allen, Pastor Uptown Baptist Church; SEND Chicago City Coordiantor
Prayer will never be a priority until we are desperate to know God.
We must pray because the work of God requires the power of God.
Because lostness is so pervasive and I'm am wholly inadequate for the job, the alarm has been set earlier to allow more time in prayer to begin my day. I'm not to the E.M. Bounds or Jonathan Edwards level, but I am convicted about laboring in prayer for extended times. This work began in me several months ago.
Goal: Our family prayer time is usually only 15 minutes each night. My goal would be for Michele and I to lead our children to spend more time in pray and to focus that prayer on impacting lostness and pushing back the darkness.
Tim Sadler, Director - Evangelism, Discipleship, Men's, Collegiate, and Student Ministries for IBSA
The setting and the praying was wonderful ...
But what will become of it?
My prayer is that we will walk in it, 24/7 ... but as leaders that we will embed prayer into every facet of our ministries and activities, and recognize the need to train ever Sunday School teacher, Bible study, small group leader, children's and youth leader. Every church prayer saturated. Every ministry prayer permeated. Then, we'll begin to see every community prayer penetrated.
Phil Miglioratti, IBSA Prayer Ministries
"This is a call to pray. There's no other answer," Fort said at the PrayerLink 2013 annual meeting in Nashville Oct. 10-12. "There's no other person going to come riding in on a white horse and save the day. The Republicans aren't going to save the day. The Democrats aren't going to save the day. A new independent party isn't going to save the day. This is something that only God Himself ... will fix."
Fort, International Mission Board senior vice president for prayer mobilization and training, briefed the 20 PrayerLink members in attendance on the IMB's new School of Prayer for All Nations (SPAN) that immerses 10-15 people in an intensive week of prayer and Bible study at IMB's International Learning Center near Richmond, Va.
"What is the need of the hour?" Fort asked the group. "You are the spiritual watchmen.... You stand between the people of God and the nation and God Himself. What is the need of the hour? I just became convinced that ... there's no answer except prayer. There's nowhere else to go. You can't program your way out of this. You can't manipulate your way out of this. You can't motivate people out of this."
PrayerLink, comprised of representatives from cooperating Baptist state conventions, the Canadian National Baptist Convention and the ministry entities of the Southern Baptist Convention, promotes and facilitates a renewed prayer emphasis among churches. SPAN, one of many resources available to churches, will offer sessions Oct. 28-Nov. 1, Dec. 2-6 and several dates in 2014.
Southern Baptists in the U.S. trail other nations in mobilizing Baptist missionaries, and only prayer will change that reality, said Fort, a career missionary before joining IMB's administrative team in 2004.
"This is what's deeply disturbing in my heart as I've come forward to lead our overseas office in global strategy," Fort said. "Our field leaders have said, 'Gordon if we could mobilize 8,000 missionaries, we could address every single unreached, unengaged people group.' Everyone in the world who has never had a witness could get a witness.
"And we could stay healthy and strong in the places where we have a foothold and are sharing the Gospel so that the Gospel can find root," Fort continued. "And the church could bear fruit and we could then advance into the areas where there's no witness and, in our lifetime, we could see literally every language, people, tribe and nation engaged with the Gospel."
IMB has nearly 5,000 missionaries in the field. Part of the reason Southern Baptists are not able to mobilize more workers is because they are battling moral depravity at home, Fort said.
"If you look at the condition of the church locally, if the manifest presence of God is not being experienced, then of course this would be no surprise to anyone here," Fort said. "Why would we export such mediocre Christianity?"
Fort noted, "It begins in church life. If members are transformed, you would see the impact of salt and light in the community and in the nation.
"Who really has the responsibility? I don't expect a secular government to save the day. Do you?"
In three days of meetings, PrayerLink crafted a three-point agenda for 2014.
- "Seek God: Recognizing that our only hope is a God-given spiritual awakening, we acknowledge God is calling His people to repent and seek Him through wholehearted love, righteous living and fervent, united, Kingdom-focused prayer."
- "Elevate prayer: Furthermore, recognizing that prayer is essential for personal, corporate, community, national and global spiritual transformation, we recommend the SBC entity members of PrayerLink develop a digital resource center for churches to access the many prayer tools available from PrayerLink members."
- "Pledge cooperation: PrayerLink, in cooperation with [local Baptist] associations, state conventions, the SBC entities and other Great Commission partners, pledges itself as a co-laborer to assist churches in mobilizing God-initiated, Kingdom-focused prayer."
The meeting included Bible teaching, small-group prayer, worship and prayerwalks through downtown Nashville, the SBC Building and LifeWay Christian Resources facilities.
PrayerLink will hold its 2014 session Oct. 8-10 in Denver, followed by an After-Glow Prayer Emphasis, Oct.10-12 in that city. Ron Clement, team leader for church enrichment and evangelism of the Colorado Baptist General Convention, will host the sessions.
Clement was among eight individuals chosen for PrayerLink's 2014 leadership team, also including Chris Schofield of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina; Connie Dixon of the New Mexico Baptist Convention; Mike Jackson of the Alabama Baptist Convention; Gary Frost, vice president of NAMB's Midwest Region; Eddie Cox, director of IMB's Office of Global Prayer Strategy; Claude King, LifeWay discipleship and adult ministry specialist; and Roger S. Oldham, vice president for convention communications and relations with the SBC Executive Committee.
Diana Chandler is Baptist Press' staff writer. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress),
Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress) and in your email (baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp).