Thanks again to each of you who prays for me and for IRM.  See the calendar for other events to pray for.  

Thanks again to each of you who prays for me and for IRM.  See the calendar for other events to pray for.  

Thanks again to each of you who prays for me and for IRM.  See the calendar for other events to pray for.  

Blessings,

Dennis Fuqua

International Renewal Ministries

If this newsletter has impacted you in any way we encourage you to pass on the message to others who may be interested. Also, let us know you're praying for us by visiting our "prayer log." Click here.  

As I write this note, I am very aware of the devastation that has hit some “Prayer Summit cities.” Tuscaloosa and Birmingham a couple weeks ago and Joplin Mo, on Sunday. Please do pray that the “Church of the City” would rise up in these areas and be a dynamic force for God.

It is wonderful to see how Paul prayed for the churches he loved. Notice this one in 2 Thess 2:11-12.

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. - 2 Thess 2:11-12

As you receive this note, I am between two summits this week. Would you please pray for both of them? I have just finished the Whatcom Co, WA (Southern BC) summit. What a wonderful time of saints caring deeply for Jesus, one another, their congregations/communities! It was a privilege to facilitate this time of deep worship and prayer. Please pray that what God began there, He will complete.

Then this weekend (Friday evening – Sunday afternoon) I get to facilitate a congregational summit in Abbotsford, BC. Please pray for a great sensitivity on my part and a great receptivity on the part of everyone who attends this time. Jesus wants to meet each one personally. And please note the last sentence in the 2 Thessalonians prayer above. That is what I deeply desire!

The only other requests I will give you is for a conference I will attend at Moody Bible Institute June 7-8. This is called the National Conversation on Revival. I am looking forward to being with many other leaders who are committed to praying for and living for a fresh awareness of Jesus Christ in every sector of society.

Read It Again

Part of corporate prayer can be spent in time alone. This will enhance the times when we are together again. Jody Mayhew is very experienced in hearing the direction of the Lord in corporate prayer settings. One of her deep desires is to help others do the same. Here is an exercise she suggests to help people further develop their listening skills.

• Choose a portion of Scripture (a psalm, a chapter, the Lord’s Prayer or the High Priestly Prayer…etc).
• Spend five sessions with the same portion of Scripture. This could be five 10-15 minute segments or it could be five different days. Ask the Lord to lead you as you engage in this.
• Session 1—Read until the Lord stops you – that is, when you see a new aspect of who He is or a fresh truth from that Scripture. Then pause and ask Him to speak to you from this place. Listen for His voice.
• Session 2—Read the same passage again—asking Him to apply this portion to a specific situation in your life. Respond to what He shows you.
• Session 3—Read it again – asking Him to convict your own heart from this portion or truth. Confess your willingness to cooperate with Him.
• Session 4—Read—asking Him to display Himself—a facet of His nature, character, attributes. Take time to praise and adore Him for this.
• Session 5—Read—asking the Lord to use this portion of Scripture to fuel your prayers throughout the day.

Jesus said that His sheep would hear His voice and recognize it as their Shepherd. This process can help people increase their confidence that they are hearing His voice so they can follow Him. 

In March of this year, Dick and Sally Palmer moved from their home in Vancouver, WA to their new home just outside of Dallas, TX. They felt it was time to be closer to their son and his family.  This move also meant Dick’s retirement from the IRM board.  I felt it was fitting that you know a bit more about this faithful servant.  So, the following is written with deep appreciation for Dick and Sally Palmer.

Dick Palmer played as much of a role as anyone in the decision for me to come to IRM.  In 1993 I facilitated my first Prayer Summit with him.  In 1999 He made the initial call to me asking if there was any reason I should not be the next Executive Director of IRM.  He was a vital link in helping me understand both the logistics and more of the history of the Prayer Summit movement.  He served on the IRM committee at Multnomah and on the IRM board from the time we became a separate ministry.  He and Sally opened their home to me before we moved to Portland, and to the IRM board on many occasions.  His heart for the Lord, for pastors, and for IRM was very evident.  His wisdom and his willingness to speak directly to a situation has saved me from several bad decisions.  I appreciate the number of times he asked me about how Marilyn was doing.  I appreciate the number of times he would encourage me with a well spoken word or verse.  He also has great “toys” and has been very willing to share them at just the right times!  With the Palmer’s move to Texas, the IRM board will be able to look back with deep appreciation, and also look forward knowing that the God who helped us through Dick Palmer’s life will continue to provide for us all that we need.

I have asked a few others to share a bit about their interaction with Dick.

 ____________________

I first remember meeting Dick in the late ‘90’s when we all gathered in Cannon Beach for the IRM meetings.  I did not get to know him well at the time but remember seeing him function in the meetings with grace and wisdom.

Of course since that time we have had many meetings together with the Board as well as meeting with Dennis at Starbucks and other locations.  He has never wavered from that grace and wisdom – because it is Jesus in him!  There has also been a “firmness” that I have respected a lot.  Dick has been willing to speak up and disagree with the group when necessary.  Several times this kept us out of troubles!

“You will be deeply missed from the IRM Board.  May you and Sally have a long and ‘healed’ life in your retirement years in Texas!”

-Glen Weber

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I appreciate the investment Dick made in the "birth" season of IRM.  He volunteered to give himself during the early days of establishing Dr. Joe's vision.  Without Dick, and his personal contacts, so many would have missed those treasured moments of the summit.  During IRM's growth spurt, Dick took on the mentorship of cities, and has sown wisdom into the forward movement of the ministry.  Yet, it has been in these later years that I have come to love and value the relationship that Dick has offered to me personally.  I will miss his face when the Board gathers.

- Jody Mayhew

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I first met Dick Palmer when came to Branson, MO to co-facilitate a Pastors Prayer Summit, nearly 14 years ago.  His wisdom and spiritual sensitivity were amazing.  Since those days, I have been privileged to sit on the IRM Board with him for many years.  In the middle of "the best of times and the worst of times" God has used Dick as an amazing demonstration of the delicate balance between stability and creativity.  I know there will be future board meetings where I will be asking myself, "What would Dick be saying or asking if he were at the table today?" 

- Howard Boyd 

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Dick Palmer has been one of the most significant brothers in Christ and mentors in my life. He has taught me much about integrity, speaking the truth, being a consistent servant, seeking the Holy Spirit's direction, and loving God and pastors (and me too). God has greatly used Dick to build a firm foundation of Christ into Multnomah, IRM, most of the Prayer Summit facilitators and thousands of pastors around the country. "Well done, good and faithful servant."

- Steve Hall

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- Dick Williams

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Although I have only known him a short time, he has left a lasting impression in my heart. I felt a special bond with him because of his own military service and understanding and encouragement to me concerning my husband Jason and his service in the Air Force. When the trials continued to roll my way with our youngest daughter, Sasha, his kindness and heartfelt understanding about the challenges we face in parenting helped re-focus my attitude and confirm the direction that God had been leading us in our relationship with her. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve on the IRM board with my brother and friend. “May God continue to watch over you and Sally as you walk forward in this journey called life.”

- Daryl Knudeson

____________________

I had the privilege of logging a ton of miles with Dick on the Prayer Summit journey. His honesty was refreshing (most times!), and his humor infectious, as in the classic Palmerism, "Yeah, Right!" There is an unforgettable high point of our unparalleled co-facilitation career: Billings, Montana, a creaky, leaky, cold cabin in the snow-blown Bighorn Mountains, with rusted bedsprings, and extra-chewy local beef served up by "Buck," our redneck, raspy host. Thanks for the memories, Palmer! And bless you for your undying passion to see pastors make things right and walk together in John 17 oneness. You have a legacy, my friend.

- Tom White

Intercessors' Note

There are three Prayer Summits taking place in Japan this month. (Please note: we erroneously listed the Tokyo Prayer Summit in March. We apologize. It will take place in May.) Please note their dates on the Events Calendar and pray for God to bless them mightily.

There are four ministry opportunities I have between now and the end of the month. I would greatly appreciate your prayers for me and those I minister to. 

• May 21 – Gracepointe Church, Milwakie, OR – Facilitate at their Prayer Breakaway. 
• May 22 – Sonrise Church, Custer, WA. Preach their Sunday AM service and facilitate an evening of prayer. 
• May 23 – 25 Cedar Springs, Whatcom Co, WA – Facilitate Pastors Prayer Summit. 
• May 27-29 – Northview Church, Abbotsford, BC – Facilitate Congregational Prayer Summit.

Thanks for your prayers in the recent past. You deserve at least a couple comments to show the effectiveness of your prayers.

From the Living Prayer Seminar I presented the end of last month. “My eyes have truly been opened to what the Lord expects from me. Thank you so very much for what you do! You are changing lives toward Christ.”

From the most recent Pastors Prayer Summit I facilitated. “The summit served as a compass pointed directly to the love of Christ. The Christ-centeredness of each day from His love on day one through His greatness on the last day instilled in me the necessity to strive for a simple life of looking unto Jesus. It also revealed just how little I know of the unsearchable riches of His gospel. Bottom line – this Prayer Summit took us face to face with Jesus.”

Praise be to His Name! I wish you could read each testimony, but I hope you are encouraged by these quick, short words.

Please  click here to see the summits that have just concluded or are now in process.  

As we look forward there are two “today” needs I would ask you to pray for.

1. Abide Ministries is offering their School of Prayer here in Vancouver today through Saturday. Please pray for great sensitivity for those who present the Word and for great receptivity for those who hear.
2. You have heard the news about the 130 or more tornados that ripped through 5 states in the Southeast yesterday devastating cities and killing more than 200 people. Several cities that were hit very hard are “Prayer Summits” cities. I spoke with Kevin Moore from Birmingham this morning. Let’s let his requests be representative of the many cities that were affected:

• Pray for the victims - Father, please give those in need hope and healing. May they know Your presence and care in every way. Grant healing and protection for those who are wounded and in need.
• Pray for first responders - Lord, provide protection and wisdom to those police officers, firefighters and emergency personnel who are rescuing those in trauma.
• Pray for those who are caring for victims - God, grant wisdom, strength and compassion to medical professionals and counselors who are caring for the injured and the ones who have suffered loss.
• Pray for the Church - God, empower Your Church with the capacity to love like Jesus and effectively care for the hurting. Open doors to share the Gospel with those affected by this tragic moment.

Next Thursday, May 5th, is the 69th National Day of Prayer. We would ask that much effective prayer would take place on that day and that God’s mercy would be more manifest because of it. We would encourage you to participate in the events in your city. If you don’t know of one, it is not too late to gather some pray-ers together and have your own day of prayer event.

I would also ask that you would pray as I facilitate the upcoming Whatcom Co (NW Washington State) Summit May 23-25 and a congregational summit for Northview Church, Abbotsford, BC. Pray specifically that God would draw those who should be at these summits. 

Proclaiming His Names

As we encourage people to exalt God, pray His will, and express praise to Him through corporate prayer, having a time when we pray based upon the names and titles of Jesus from Scripture has taken us down some wonderful paths. After singing a song that exalts the name of Jesus – something older like “Praise the Name of Jesus” or “There’s Just Something About that Name” – or something newer like Matt Redman’s “Blessed be the Name of the Lord” – it is very natural to introduce a time of praying back to God some of the ways He is revealed in Scripture.

I have introduced times like this be saying something like, “We know that the name Yahweh means ‘I AM!’ He loves it when we as His followers proclaim His name to one another and to Him. We can do that by simply agreeing with Him, and say, ‘Yes, You are…!’. So, it seems it may be good to worship Him by responding to Him being the ‘I AM’ by saying, ‘Jesus, You are…’ and then you fill it in from there.”

People will begin saying, “Jesus You are the Light of the World.” “Jesus You are the Bread of Life.” I have found people often catch on to this quickly and easily. Encourage them to pray brief prayers but they can pray as often as they would like. In fact, you may want to or need to ask people to “Selah” between the names so people have some time to let each name sink into their hearts and souls.

Another step beyond just proclaiming His names can be to encourage people to think about the significance of each of the names they are proclaiming and to add that to their prayers by making the first words of their prayer, “Jesus, because…” and then pray what it is about Him they appreciate. So, perhaps someone would pray, “Jesus, because You are the Light of the World, I can now see things that I never saw before.” Or, “Jesus, because You are the Bread of Life, I look forward to both the aroma and the sustenance You give each day.”

I have had the privilege of praying like this in many groups. When it is done in response to His prompting, it has always been a good and rich time of fellowship. But as I have just re-read what I have written, I want to acknowledge that this sounds way to “wooden” or “stiff” compared to how it flows in real life. So, please be sensitive to His Spirit if you proceed with this. Let Him be The One to lead you and your thinking as you move in this direction. Perhaps we could say that what I have given you here may, at best, be the score of music the Lord may want played, but the facilitator is the one who interprets that score and brings it to life.

First of all, I would encourage you to check the IRM events calendar and pray (what I call) Phil 1:6 prayers for those who have recently been to an IRM event. “Father, since You began a good work at this summit, please complete the things you began!"

We are in the annual “Easter Slow Down” for IRM events. There are some, but not many Prayer Summits scheduled close to Easter. But there are many things we can pray about. Please pray for the following...

• the many people who will hear the Good News of Jesus during Easter Week – through messages heard at Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Sunrise, and Easter morning Services. Please pray for each person who presents the Gospel and each person who hears, that they would respond to the best news ever.
• the upcoming School of Prayer facilitated by Abide Ministries, in Vancouver, WA. April 28-30.
• the National Day of Prayer events that will be taking place throughout the Nation on Thursday, May 5th.

I have had the privilege of facilitating times of prayer for pastors in cities as well as for specific congregations. Oftentimes people will ask me about the difference between these two groups. First what is not different. Non-pastors have just as much ability and desire to press into deep times of worship. They have the same love for the Lord and want to express that to Him. What is different is that often they do not have the same “reservoir” of biblical knowledge. They simply don’t know as many Scriptures on a given topic and where to find them.

So, as I have facilitated congregational Prayer Summits I have looked for ways to assist them with this. The goal is always the same: to help them hear the Lord (through His Spirit and His Word) about how He wants them to be praying. One thing I have done is what I have begun to refer to as “Concordance praying.” Not a very stunning or creative title, but it fits. Here is what I mean.

I have personally been very intrigued with the Psalmist’s use of the word translated “lovingkindness, mercy, steadfast love, unfailing love,” etc. There are about 125 uses of this word in the Psalms. Recently, as I was facilitating a prayer session, I wrote out between 75 and 80 references on a white board during a break. Compiling a list like this can be done very easily with many Bible software programs or just using a concordance.

I invited the people to use this as a resource. I asked them to simply look up any of the references on the board, read the verse over a few times, see what the verse says about God’s great love for us, and turn that into a prayer for them and for the group. I told them not to get stuck on any one verse. If one didn’t work for them, jus t go to another one. I also mentioned that if someone else “took their verse” that they should remember it wasn’t “their verse” to begin with and to pray from that verse anyway.

I gave them a few minutes in silence, then invited them to pray out loud. What followed was a wonderful time of people reveling and receiving God’s great love for them! People prayed prayers like, “Father, You say that I can trust in Your unfailing love. I do that sometimes, but right now that is hard to do. Please help me to trust in Your love today.” (From Ps 13:5) Or, “I rejoice in Your love, oh, Lord. You saw what I needed and You met my deep need. Thank You for Your great love.” (From Ps 31:7)

This can work for any topic that is mentioned often in Scripture, such as “grace,” the “cross,” “today,” or “His voice.” Because people may not be used to this, they may need a little coaching. So, you may want to give them a couple examples of how you would pray from a particular verse. But once they “get it” the Lord can direct them into some very meaningful prayers.

So, if you have opportunity to facilitate a time of corporate prayer, you may want to spend a few minutes compiling a few lists of some topics that are meaningful to you and see if they are not helpful to the other pray-ers.

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

I would be honored if you would pray for me in a similar way that Paul prayed for his friends at Thessalonica!

In addition to what is on the IRM Event’s Calendar, here are some specifics I would ask you to pray for.

• Three summits have taken place this week. Please pray that God would seal and complete the good things He began in these pastor’s lives.
• Sunday mornings, through March 6th (except Feb 27) I am continuing to teach an adult class at Camas Assembly of God on praying the Lord’s Prayer.
• Feb 17 –Sharing with some leaders in Spokane to assist them in their desire to see a united, serving, praying church make a difference in their community.
• Feb 27-28 – Preaching and presenting the Living Prayer Seminar at Powellhurst Baptist Church in Portland, OR.
• March 7-9 - Assisting a Prayer Summit for Seattle, WA.
• March 10 – Sharing with leaders from Grays Harbor, WA.

Monday and Tuesday of this week, we were able to help host nearly 90 leaders from 25 cities across the Northwest gathered here in Vancouver, WA at the 8th annual Roundtable. There is not nearly enough room here to report all of what took place there. Let me mention just two stories.

From the first worship song as we began these 25 hours together, it was very clear that we were very “present.” People were there ready to worship, grow, learn, receive, and give to one another. The purpose of the CIR is to provide ongoing support and encouragement to those who know they are called to be part of a healthy, praying, serving, united church which will impact its community. These people came hungry, stayed focused, and gleaned much. On several occasions as Prayer Summits were mentioned as a key part of their city’s progress, I reflected on Dr. Joe’s original vision and rejoiced again to see it being more and more fulfilled.

At the end of the time, as we asked for input, one brother said, “Our team has been coming to this CIR for 7 years. What encourages me is to see that many of the things we talked about 4-5 years ago are actually being lived out in several of the cities.”