A January & February Call to Prayer

SoCal AG News

Thursday, January 07, 2010

Friends,

Let Us Pray!

How often have we spoken those three simple words to preface an invocation or benediction at an important event. No more vital words could be expressed at this time as we begin our 2010 series of Sectional Councils across our District. They are words that echo the biblical call – "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray... I will hear from heaven." 2 Chronicles 7:14 Peterson’s more contemporary expression of this Scripture says, "If...my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I'll be there ready for you: I'll listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health. From now on I'm alert day and night to the prayers offered at this place."

Paul’s injunction to us is: “Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.” Philippians 4:6

Let Us Pray offers an imperative for all of us to place ourselves in God's presence, actively seeking His direction and favor. This year is significant as we will elect 10 new presbyters, 30 sectional leadership team members, and of course, a new District Superintendent at District Council.

Jesus instructs us to pray, "your kingdom come, your will be done," which should be our underlying motivation as we pray on behalf of these significant times we face. Richard Foster underscores our need in his best-seller, Prayer, in this way:

There is a religious word for what I have been describing: supplication.
Supplication means to ask with earnestness, with intensity, with perseverance.
It is a declaration that we are deadly serious about this prayer business. We
are going to keep at it and not give up. John Calvin writes, “We must repeat
the same supplications not twice or three times only, but as often as we have
need, a hundred and a thousand times….We must never be weary in waiting
for God’s help.”

So with the approaching days of decision ahead, I would simply yet earnestly urge us all as pastors, church leaders and servants of Christ— Let Us Pray!

May God be honored in our lives and ministry,

Ray Rachels

District Superintendent

Southern California Assemblies of God