Three Great Opportunities for Prayer
As the September focus on prayer within the Church of God comes to its conclusion, prayer leader Douglas Small offers more prayer ideas for continuing the emphasis.
1) “Fasting for God’s Favor!” – Each January, it is estimated that as many as one million American Christians may be participating in the forgotten discipline of fasting. The early church fasted, we are told, two days a week. This year, Church of God congregations will be encouraged to join that growing army from January 10 – 31, in 21 days of fasting. Resources will be available following the September Prayer Initiative at the Church of God Prayer Ministries website – www.praycog.org.
2) “Seek God for the City!” – Some 150,000 evangelical Christians pray for their city annually. They prayer-walk and conduct prayer missions. They prayerfully consider some sector of the city – the representative government, judiciary, schools, industry, economic institutions, social service spheres, media, arts and entertainment, the family and the churches. They pray about the spiritual condition of the city, crime and disorder. They ask for the blessing of God on the city. And they pray for the harvest. This year a special “Church of God” edition of Seek God for the City will be produced, including a Spanish version. Special materials will focus on unreached people groups on our doorstep, church planting efforts, the harvest around us. Ten Special Prayer Rallies will be conducted across the nation. Also, State-wide Prayer efforts will be given a place in the booklet, unique to each state (That assumes adequate advance orders). The deadline for these special inserts is November 10. The 40 days of Pray are March 9 – April 16. Included as an addendum in the prayer guide is a 10-day prayer guide leading up to Pentecost Sunday, June 12, 2011.
3) 30 DAYS OF PRAYER – September, 2011. This year, in one state, it is suggested that as many as 40-50% of our churches may be using the materials, in whole or part, from the 30 day prayer initiative. In most states, the estimate is around 20%. Reports include services ripe with the presence of God, extended seasons of prayer, tearful encounters with God, a lingering hunger for God, and the rebirth of the ‘prayer meeting.’ Preaching and teaching materials are available. Special prayer resources have been developed for Wednesdays. Special prayer breakfasts and action ideas are available. Two solemn assembly guides are on-line. Resource materials are available for ‘8 Days of Awakening’ and ‘8 Days of Action!’ This period coincides with Awakening America’s “Cry Out!” prayer rallies in the season of September 11.
(Source: Christian Newswire)
