Virtual Prayer Meeting Concludes This Weekend with Youth Emphasis, Celebration
The 21-day Virtual Prayer Meeting by Church of God congregations is in its final week. According to Prayer Coordinator Doug Small, more than 3,500 connections have been made into the virtual prayer meeting from every state and some fifty nations.
“We are seeing the Church of God across the nation, and in a limited way, the world – standing at the altar in heaven, praying for revival,” Small stated. “Hundreds are joining the calls nightly. And the tenor of the calls is passionate. If it is true that ‘holy desperation is our greatest asset,’ we are growing in that strength. The voices on the call have often been passionate, tearful, earnest.” Small went on to say that one pastor noted, “Each night, I have found the prayer partner I have needed. I have listened – and prayed, and prayed and listened.” Another pastor reported a new revival spirit in his congregation so needed as an indirect result of the calls. Small stated that some congregations have met for prayer, listening to the calls together in their sanctuary.
“From the Gulf of Mexico to the Point Barrow, Alaska; from Maine to Honolulu – we are praying together, and for one another,” said Small.
Two administrative bishops from across the United States have served as co-hosts during the calls each night with a focus on their states. Hundreds of different voices have been heard on the call.
“When callers are unmuted, there is a cacophony of voices, a wonderful collage of passionate sounds of Pentecostal people crying out to God,” Small explained. Mission guests have also joined the call focusing on various areas of the world, unreached peoples, and the FINISH challenge and many other worthy projects.
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On Friday night, January 30, a “bonus hour” will be added to the call, which will involve youth leaders and students from across the nation. These calls will highlight the move of God in the various Winterfest services taking place over the next few weeks and serve as an extension of the event through prayer. Each week International Youth and Discipleship Director Gary Lewis, and Assistant Director David C. Blair will facilitate these calls by utilizing state and regional directors and local youth leaders.
“We can’t wait to hear the testimonies of God’s grace and to experience hundreds of students praying for each other and the needs around the world,” David Blair stated. For more information about the Friday Night Prayer Afterglow on January 30, log onto www.cogyouth.org.
The 21-Day Experience will officially conclude on Saturday night, January 31 with a Prayer Celebration event – led by General Overseer Mark Williams. Members of the International Executive Committee have been invited to join the call to focus on God’s work around the world.
Williams noted, “The January prayer effort has given voice to a deep yearning for a revival of purity and true holiness. This ‘oneness’ in prayer is something we must foster, even accelerate. God works in and through our praying. We were, are, must always be, a praying people, a praying church!”
Anyone wanting to connect with the call may simply dial 712-432-0075, access code 367853#. The time of the calls are from 10 p.m. to midnight, nightly EST.
Due to the positive response of the 21 Day Virtual Prayer Meeting, plans are being formulated for a weekly Saturday Night event. More details to follow.
