Get Ready to Pray - by Bishop Mike Coyner

“Get Ready to Pray” – September 26, 2008

When we gather on October 4^th for our historic Special Session of the two Conferences here in Indiana to take the final votes on becoming the new Indiana Conference, we will also enter into a special week of prayer. That week of prayer, from October 5-11, is being encouraged by a group of pastors from some of the largest United Methodist congregations in the United States. They recently gathered to talk about how they can help lead our denomination forward, and they are recommended that we all commit ourselves to a week of prayer.

At our Special Session on October 4^th, we will be asking those present and all United Methodist people in Indiana to join in that week of prayer. Here are the daily prayers for the week of October 5-11. Please join me in this week of prayer:

SEVEN DAYS OF PRAYER FOR THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

AND THE INDIANA ANNUAL CONFERENCE OCTOBER 5-11, 2008

Sunday – Passionate Worship – Lord, we pray that United Methodist Churches across the globe would have an awesome encounter of worshipping You in Spirit and in truth today (John 4:24). We pray that the Churches of the Indiana Conference are filled with passionate worship.

Monday – Calling Young People into Ministry – Lord, we pray that You would raise up laborers for the harvest (Matthew 9:37-39). And, specifically, we ask You to call 2,000 young clergy into the ordained ministry of The United Methodist Church in America. We ask You to call 50 young clergy leaders in the Indiana Conference.

Tuesday – New Churches – Lord, we pray that You would raise up 400 new United Methodist churches in America in places where there is no vibrant witness for the Gospel right now (Romans 15:20). We ask you to establish 10 new congregations in the Indiana Conference.

Wednesday – Ministry to the Poor – Lord, we pray that You would use United Methodist churches to alleviate poverty, stamp out malaria and HIV/AIDS, and minister to the less fortunate and overlooked in the name of Jesus (Matthew 25:40). We pray the churches of the Indiana Conference will engage in risk taking mission and ministry.

Thursday – Renewed Vitality of the UMC – Lord, we pray that You would bring renewed vitality to The United Methodist Church (Ezekiel 37) and that You would daily add to Your church through professions of faith (Acts 2:47). We pray that our congregations will be so equipped to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world through the new Indiana Conference.

Friday – Unity – Lord, we pray for a healthy unity across The United Methodist Church such that the unbelieving world may see and believe in You (John 17:20-21). We pray that the Indiana Conference will be a unified voice with a vision for the transformation of the world.

Saturday – The Word – Lord, we pray that as the Word of God is preached in our church and other United Methodist churches tomorrow that You would bear fruit that will last forever (Isaiah 55:10-11). We pray for the Holy Spirit to empower our preachers to speak God’s Word and our members to respond to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.