Once more let us say from the International Office we wish all of our ministry network a glorious Christmas celebration filled with Love, Joy, and Peace. This has been a great year of ministry around the world and among our people. Even in difficult times the gospel is not hindered. It is possible that many will give the gospel a hearing in hard times when they would ignored such things before. And though economies may be slowed and funds may be lower, I know the ministries around this church are stepping in to let the hurting know that Jesus is the Healer, the Helper, and the Hand of love they are looking for today. It is a joy to serve such a family of ministry as the Church of God of Prophecy.
Already my spirit and prayers are beginning to turn toward the exciting time of consecration and seeking coming as we anticipate the Fast For Awakening 2009. Even now in December my prayer times have been touched with a new sense of hunger. I know that this is the grace of God calling me, and all of us, to enter this New Year with a season of prayer, fasting and seeking for God's touch on our ministries and lives. His work cannot be done without Him. I invite you to keep returning to our web site where we will have reminders of the Fast For Awakening 2009, twenty-one days of seeking God spanning 130 nations and 12,000 preaching points. As we humble ourselves and pray the promise says that we will hear from heaven. Make plans to join us this January in the Fast For Awakening 2009.
On the first twenty-one days of January 2009 let the Church of God of Prophecy unite together in prayer. Jesus has told us, "If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
As God calls prayer warriors together across this body of ministry we will be activating this great promise of Christ. In addition to our unity in hunger to seek God together, we can unite in agreement on specific needs as well. Here we offer you one simple prayer focus for each day we unite on one simple need.
Saints know that God is going to hear us in our hunger and in our unity. Based on this knowledge I claim I John 5: 14-15 as our victory even before we pray our first prayer in this twenty-one days. "And if is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us: An if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."
My friends we are seeking God and we are united around His gospel. Who can stand against us? I John also affirms our faith saying, "whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith." (5:4) Join me in believing God for great things as this New Year begins.
The International Office would be blessed greatly by the prayers of this church family. As we focus on our core values of Prayer, Harvest, and Leadership Development we pray that God will make us more and more effective in facilitating strong ministry throughout this network.
Prayer is the hidden secret behind the work of God. Let's ask God to send a call to prayer down over our ministries worldwide. God does not intend that the church do His work alone, but through prayer God wants to enter the church and accomplish His will.
Harvest is the call God has given this church and many others for this very day of opportunity. Pray that God will pour into us a fresh passion for souls much like Rachael wept for children. May we weep for the birth of new children into the Kingdom.
World Missions is a call to every local church in the Kingdom. Pray for new zeal and inspiration to give for the missions.
The Young Harvest is a call that is gripping hearts in this era. With such potential in the lives of youth, and such evil attacking them, now is the time to rescue the next generation for God's glory. Pray for success in evangelization of the young harvest.
Local Churches are the heart beat of God's growing Kingdom. There in the family of God gathered together all the operations of Kingdom transformation are applied. Pray for local churches to be filled with God's presence and power to be the life centers God intends them to be.
Developing Leaders is the key to completing all that God has placed before this worlds ministry to accomplish. As we pour into leaders we will tap the multiplying power of God to minister powerfully.
Pastors are the key. Pray for Pastors today. Pray for their ministries, their outreach, their strength, their vision, their families, their health, their protection, and their provision. The enemy is out to destroy these precious God called servants but we can pray a hedge of Divine protection around them and Divine help for them.
R E Howard, General Overseer
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