The Pastor's Pen - The Zelienople Church of the Nazarene

"Call To Prayer: 10 Days to Pentecost"
April, 2005

Pentecost was the single most powerful event in the birthing of the Christian Church. The challenge of Jesus to His followers prior to Pentecost was to wait in Jerusalem and pray (Acts 1:4-5) for the promised Holy Spirit from God the Father. "Before the first Pentecost, believers gathered for ten days of united, Christ-focused prayer. Filled with the same hope of God fulfilling His

promises for all the earth, millions of Christians will be uniting in prayer for ten days, May 6-15, 2005. To focus and unite prayers for our world." (-Pray Magazine Issue 47 Mar/Apr 2005- See also; www.globaldayofprayer.com)

From this, the Lord has put the following idea on my heart to help us in a PRAYER REVIVAL. With all the positive things occurring, we need to focus in prayer for our church. Prayer will secure the weak areas, keep us sensitive to the ongoing changes around us, and develop unity as we forge ahead. Focused prayer will help us build the necessary bridges to assimilate new people in our fellowship and to know God’s will in establishing new foundations for future growth. We will only be as strong as the foundations we layout! This PRAYER REVIVAL will unite us with a world-wide campaign of people praying for an out-pouring of the Holy Spirit. We need this blessing afresh and anew in our church. WOULD YOU JOIN ME IN THIS CALL TO PRAY? PREPARE NOW BY SETTING ASIDE 10 DAYS BEFORE PENTECOST; MAY 6-15. PLAN TO MEET AT CHURCH FROM 7-8PM FOR PRAYER.

There will be many opportunities to do more praying with this event. The obvious desired outcome is unity and a fresh anointing of God upon our congregation. If you do not think you need it, please feel free to ask God to give me your portion. I need all I can get. I desire more of Him. In preparation, send any known requests that you would like in a handout concerning the church, its ministry, its mission and so forth to the Pastor. A prayer box will be on the Narthex Table. The handouts will be available during the Revival. Perhaps you have a vision of what the church should do or consider but never had an opportunity to express it. This would be a good time. Praying that our young people and children will be called to be ministers and missionaries is paramount. Asking God to call them to be leaders, doctors, nurses, teachers, millworkers, construction workers and business owners is important as God shapes their lives.

So, will you join me? Spend some time percolating and share your ideas. I will be here for this Revival. I am confident you will join me. I have a small saying given to me once, "The greatest oak was once a little nut!" God is Good! Keep hearing 10 DAYS TO PENTECOST!

Joyfully Serving You,

-Rev. Gene Hill, Pastor