Prayer to Unify
The recent overthrow of Hosni Mubarak and his reign in Egypt was largely fueled by the use of mobile Internet. What an unbelievable tool we have to unite through today’s technology. One friend posts thoughts on a “wall” and others quickly read and respond. People post YouTube videos and check in regularly for the next “hot” topic or goofy antic.
Anything can go “viral.” One blogger defines it this way: Real viral traction occurs when information is constantly being spread, when people are forwarding it in emails, when re-tweets are happening like crazy, when there is constant chatter on and off the web, and when traffic comes from many places and extends across the globe.
The viral concept is not new. It has had another name and context — revival. When God’s Spirit shows up in a mighty way, the news spreads. People talk and give testimony, extending invitations to “come and see.” The Holy Spirit draws people “out of the blue.” When the Lord’s presence comes, the “chatter” is spread throughout the world as the church becomes “taken over” by the Spirit. Freedom occurs as the church repents and lives are rescued from desperation and oppression.
When people seek — not on Facebook but the face of God — and “post” their prayers on the “wall” of our Lord’s heart asking wholeheartedly, “Come Lord Jesus. We need Your presence and freedom in our church. Please take over,” a viral revival happens.
Let’s pray together this week that the Spirit of the living God goes “viral” with the power and presence of Jesus, spreading it into the world through the church.
Monday, March 7– March 13
This week’s prayer focus is based on the history of our church. The historical time line provided in the January/February 2011 issue of Light & Life magazine informs our prayers. In reviewing our history we see how the Lord shaped and led us as a church. We want His continued guidance and the empowerment to go into new areas of ministry.
As you approach these times of prayer ask the Holy Spirit to:
- Help us have a heart of gratitude for our predecessors who led the way in listening to the Lord’s voice and obeying His call when it was outside comfort zones.
- Help us know how to pray for current ministries that rest on foundations of years past.
- Help us see how risk and innovation was necessary to obey the call of the Lord. Ministries that are now common were once “edgy.” Ask the Spirit to work in us His boldness to do the same.
“Action Prayer”
As an act of worship, go to the Jan/Feb 2011 edition of Light & Life magazine. Review the FMC’s history and thank the Lord in specific prayer for each person and action listed that has laid the foundation of our call as a church.
Special Need: GC11 Coordinator Grace Ann Bolton sent a special prayer request for MaryJane Devan who was handling the housing at Roberts Wesleyan for GC11. She has worked for Roberts for the last 12 years. She has been diagnosed with lymphoma — a cancer of the lymph system. Please pray for her and her family. Also pray for the office who is trying to fill in her place and handle the housing requests. Pray that the people calling in and making housing reservations will be flexible and that those involved on all sides will extend the grace the Lord continually extends to us.
Monday – March 7th Prayer Task: “Gathering Together as the Church”
GC11 Coordinator Grace Ann Bolton met with the Roberts Wesleyan College team all last week to continue preparations for the event. Pray for continued unity, hope, faith and love.
History: The first General Conference was convened in St. Charles, Ill. in 1862, then adjourned to meet again in Buffalo, N.Y.
Gratitude: Thank the Lord for those who convened in 1862. May unity of vision and call be with us as it was with them.
Pray: Think about the needs of the committee as they plan for this year’s historical event. Ask the Lord to inspire us with the importance of gathering as a people united for His purposes.
Tuesday – March 8th Prayer Task: “Model Undivided Loyalty”
Our Membership Covenant tells us to “give our loyalty to Christ and the church, refraining from any alliance which compromises” that loyalty. In the old days that meant avoiding “secret societies.” But today that can mean sports, entertainment, leisure and 101 other activities that come before church.
Pray: Think about how to help people put first things first and pray for those things to come true, both as individuals and in our church.
Wednesday – March 9th Prayer Task: “New Beginnings”
History: The Free Methodist Church began in an apple orchard outside Pekin, N.Y., August 23, 1860. There, B.T. Roberts and sympathizers sat in the grass and prayed to know God’s will.
Gratitude: Thank the Lord that our beginnings were birthed out of prayer and a deep desire to know and do the Lord’s will.
Pray: That we would gather prayerfully before we start any new task or follow the call of the Lord. That we would desire His will and emboldening presence to follow it.
Thursday – March 10th Prayer Task:
History: Roberts established a mission church above a saloon in a notorious area of Buffalo. Some of the women converted there moved into the Roberts’ home as a “safe zone” until they could live independently.
Gratitude: Thank the Lord that our beginnings were influenced by people willing to see beyond the sin to the heart and need of those bound by sin and the enemy. They were willing to offer help to anyone who needed to be rescued.
Pray: That we would have the heart of our Lord and eyes to see needs that are outside our comfort zones. That as a church we would be willing to do what the Lord calls us to do — no matter the sacrifice.
Friday – March 11th Prayer Task:
History: During 1861-1865, issues of The Earnest Christian, edited by B. T. Roberts, circulated in the camps of Union troops, supplying Christian nurture to soldiers. Conversions and revival were reported.
Gratitude: Thank the Lord for the awareness of the needs of those serving our country and that fruit was born in the soldier-organized “Earnest Christian” bands.
Pray: That the Lord would continue to bless Free Methodist chaplains who are called to serve our country’s soldiers. Pray that they would have courage and wisdom in bringing the gospel message. Pray for revival among our troops.
Saturday – March 12th Prayer Task:
History: In 1866 the first FM school began to provide students with “farm skills” in addition to basic education.
Gratitude: Thank the Lord for those who followed His lead to provide needed education and skills for young people.
Pray: Ask the Lord to guide and direct those leading and teaching in our FM schools, that they would be sensitive to the spiritual, educational and practical needs of students at: Roberts Wesleyan College, Greenville College, Seattle Pacific University, Central Christian College, Spring Arbor University, Azusa Pacific University, Hope Africa University (Burundi), John Wesley Theological College (Hungary), Northeastern Seminary.
Sunday – March 13th Prayer Task:
History: In 1867, Free Methodist Rachel Bradley offered sewing classes to Chicago prostitutes, beginning Olive Branch Mission, the oldest rescue mission in the U.S.
Gratitude: Thank the Lord that the FM church responded to His heart to rescue, provide for and love the poor, immigrants, victims of fire, those caught in sex trafficking as well as working against prostitution and alcoholism — major causes of bondage and hopelessness.
Pray: That we as a church will be a true house of prayer where our prayers are used “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” so that those forces are curtailed and laborers sent into the fields that are “white for harvest” to bring the lost into the saving knowledge of Jesus.
Giving the Lord More of Your Sabbath: Today is a very fitting day to engage with the “Action Prayer” above.
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