Hill Launches #wepraycog Initiative

Cleveland, TN—Church of God General Overseer Timothy M. Hill formally announced the inauguration of a 40-week emphasis toward intense and focused prayer culminating next summer at the 78th International General Assembly in Indianapolis.

Hill explained the initiative “#WEPRAYCOG, the Church of God United in Prayer”
during a joint meeting of the International Council and International Executive Council. Both were in town for regularly-scheduled gatherings at the International Offices. Hill also introduced the co-chair, Niko Njotorahardjo, pastor of Gereja Bethel Church in Indonesia.

“Just a few weeks ago I was with Pastor Niko in Jakarta and the Lord spoke to me about this,” Hill explained to the Council members. “Pastor Niko and his congregation are well-known as a praying church that has affected thousands around the globe for many years. I am so pleased to have Pastor Niko and the Gereja Bethel Church as a primary partner in this endeavor.”

General Overseer Tim Hill, right, joins Pastor Niko Njotorahardjo in symbolically praying over the world during the International Council (click photo to enlarge

Pastor Niko responded by stating, “When Dr. Hill shared this vision, I said ‘Wow!’ This is what I have been praying for!” The announcement was followed by a powerful move of testimonies about recent prayer movements and similar burdens for a focused prayer emphasis. The church leaders participated in an extended prayer time for the remainder of the first morning session.

“As we approach the General Assembly, we must have intensive intercession,” Hill explained. “We need to move from talking about prayer to engaging in prayer (intercession), moving from a need-based petition to relationship-based communion with the Father.”

#wepraycog involves three primary areas of focus: Pentecostal Renewal and Revival, Prevailing Unity, and Purposed Direction. The plan calls for 40 weeks of prayer starting Sunday, October 20, 2019 and continuing for 40 weeks until the opening day of the General Assembly on July 21, 2020. For 40 days between Easter and Pentecost Sunday, a special time will be set aside each day to focus on a specific topic for prayer. And finally, during the General Assembly, prayer warriors will engage in 40 hours of non-stop prayer.

“All of these events are designed to call our collective attention to the power and importance of prayer in our daily lives,” Hill continued. “With the help of Pastor Niko and many international partners, the goal is to engage 1.5 million Intercessors from all over the world!”

With field directors present for the International Council meeting, Hill called upon each of them to help identify the 1.5 million individual prayer partners, specifically 250,000 participants from six regions of the world including Latin America, Asia/Pacific, Europe, Caribbean, Africa, and USA/Canada. Other goals include the recruitment of 5,000 local churches to commit to becoming #wepraycog churches; participation in 40 Days of Consecration (fasting and prayer), a daily Facebook Live session from the International Offices between Easter and Pentecost Sunday; and 40 Hours of Dedication, a time of intense prayer focus during the International General Assembly.
While Hill initially announced the prayer focus on September 24 and encouraged the Council leaders to look ahead, the formal launch of the 40 week period will take place on Sunday, October 20. Events to follow the launch will include Agree ’20, a three-day prayer emphasis from the International Offices, state and regional prayer conferences, 40 days of prayer and fasting (between Easter and Pentecost Sunday), GO FINISH 2020, a global campaign to see every individual win a least one person to Christ, prayer emphasis during state/regional camp meetings, and the 40 hours of prayer during the General Assembly.

“When God’s people come together in prayer and unity,” Hill concluded, “the power of the Holy Spirit will be our guide. May we take full advantage of the gifts He bestows when we humble ourselves and pray!”

Highlights of the September 24 announcement and subsequent prayer meeting can be found on the Church of God Facebook page @COGHQ.

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