Prayer Ministry

From The Prayer Corner  - Pray through the News Headlines!! 

When you think about recent headlines for local, national, or world news, what do you feel?  Discouraged, disillusioned, heartbroken, hopeless, frustrated, angry, numb, sorrowful?  Regardless of where we stand politically or on issues of global importance, many of us have deep-seated feelings about things that are so far out of our ability to change or control.

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It only takes a few minutes on Facebook, Twitter, the Internet, or your local TV or Radio station to find people spewing venom and reactions based on emotion, often without first taking time to check facts or sources. Satan surely celebrates each time believers act out like this, especially against each other, ripping apart the Body of Christ, the Church.

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It’s time to point our feelings towards the only truth – the Bible: the unchanging, infallible, Word of God — the only plumb-line that can help make sense of these days. We are told that the Word became flesh and was “full of grace and truth”.  Often we forget that grace and truth must go hand in hand.

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How often do we vent our opinions, frustrations and cynicisms before we first pray and ask the Holy Spirit to equip us in our response?  Over and over, we are reminded that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Nothing takes Him by surprise. He is able to accomplish good and His heart’s desire is that we ask.  That doesn’t mean that the headlines will change, but we know that He can use them for His glory.

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As this election year escalates, so do tempers and frustration.  This is understandable, but we are encouraged to be people of prayer who stand in the gap on behalf of our nation. Jesus didn’t up and leave when the going got tough. He stood firm to the end and encouraged His disciples to do likewise. This is our opportunity to live faithfully in the midst of difficult times, even though others may oppose us.

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This month, instead of reacting on emotion, join with other Christians and grab your Bible and the newspaper.  Let’s consider the following as we pray through the headlines:

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#1 – Open God’s Word.  What does He say about this?  Who does He say He is? Pray the truth about God; that He is sovereign and loving and able to answer our prayers on the topic.

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#2 - Do a heart check: ask what attitude you have about the topic. Anger, pride, or some other response that will get in the way of your prayer? Self-righteous or condemning thoughts? Ask God to forgive that attitude, and help to overcome it.

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#3 - Thank the Holy Spirit for leading us as we pray. Listen for Him to lead.  Wait a bit as you listen for Him to prompt you.  Rest in that silence.

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#4 – Pray specifically for the people and the situation in the news story . . . for any change that might be needed, for healing, for provision, for wisdom, for guidance, for salvation, for peace.

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Now when our gut reactions scream frustration and hopelessness, we can open God’s Word.  We can commit to prayer and bringing these news topics before the Lord, knowing that in the end, He is the ultimate authority.                          

(portions taken from an article by Jen Schmidt)

**Let’s be people of prayer who stand in the gap on behalf of our nation!!

Join the Email Prayer Team! It’s easy.  Here’s how:

Contact Lora Stafura in the church office at  lstafura@bakerstownumc.org  or

Cathy Dambach hwdambach@consolidated.net, or Heather Brown hlrdab@hotmail.com and the monthly prayer list will be emailed to you. Occasionally we also have weekly urgent requests that are sent out as well. Thank you!

 “Nothing tends more to cement the hearts of Christians than praying together.”  

- Charles G. Finney