JEFFERSON CITY – No movement of God in our world has ever happened without sustained prayer, says the evangelism/discipleship strategist for the Missouri Baptist Convention.
“The Holy Spirit places a spiritual burden on believers that often begins in brokenness,” says Mark Snowden. “It results in a spiritual alignment with God’s plans and purposes. And when humility is genuine, the Holy Spirit is free to use our lives with power.”
That deep heart-felt kind of prayer is being launched in Missouri throughout January, with particular focus on Jan. 20.
Because the ReFRESH Conference is being conducted in lieu of the State Evangelism/Discipleship Conference this year, Snowden is suggesting that Missouri Baptists start 21 days of prayer and fasting beginning Jan. 20.
Snowden says the Missouri prayer emphasis will coincide with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Call to Prayer (see story on this page), which is a month-long effort starting Jan. 1.
“The SBC Call to Prayer is a pivotal opportunity as churches cast a vision for ministry in 2013. We will have the chance to gather as a denomination and center our thoughts and prayers on the lost in our communities and around the world,” said SBC President Fred Luter, pastor, Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans.
SBC President and Chief Executive Officer Frank Page said he wants Southern Baptists to carry prayer in their hearts throughout the year.
“I am asking all Southern Baptists to join me in a year of emphasis on prayer like none we’ve ever seen before. I ask individuals to be seriously involved in ‘throughout-the-day’ earnest prayer. I am not talking about morning or evening prayers but prayers which last throughout the day.”
Al Gilbert, NAMB’s interim vice president for evangelism, is praying this emphasis will refocus Southern Baptists on the lost. He said, “We need to pray with the question in mind, ‘Who do I know who needs to know Christ?’” NAMB’s evangelism leaders have developed a special website dedicated to the SBC Call to Prayer: www.namb.net/sbccalltoprayer/.