CHURCH OF GOD

STATE/REGIONAL PRAYER COMMISSION GUIDELINES

The State or Regional Prayer Commission is a voluntary team of mature, prayerful leaders who serve at the request of the Administrative Bishop for the simple purpose of stewarding a regional/state prayer process. The group is non-political. Each state or region, develop guidelines, molds the team to fulfill their needs and serve their pastors and churches.

The teams serve under the supervision of the Administrative Bishop and are resourced by the International Coordinator of Prayer Ministries.

MISSION: To serve Church of God congregations across the state in nurturing at-home-daily prayer in the homes of our members and with that churches that are houses of prayer, to steward a movement of prayer that undergirds the state office and ministerial families in prayer, to identify significant needs for prayer, to mobilize intercessors and to fan the flames of prayer aimed at a Great Awakening.

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In an effort to steward the prayer effort, a number of states have now named a Prayer Leadership Team. Some teams are composed of pastors and others completely of laypeople. Some are couples. Every state is unique - and yet, the common thread is the desire to raise the level of prayer among pastors, and in the people.

Bishop Doug Small, the Liaison for prayer ministries is working to put together a local church prayer leadership manual. He will also be working with state prayer teams to help define their goals and discover resources necessary to move them forward.

 Maryland has regionalized their team - a few other states are following that lead. In such places, each pastor gets a periodic "prayer-care" call from team members. An emphasis is also being placed on praying for the state prayer team, including the Overseer and his staff.

Next steps will include identifying churches that want to move forward their prayer process. Doug Small says the goal in each state is 10-20% of the churches. That sounds meager, but in truth - if one out of five of our congregations caught "prayer-fire" it would be a catalyst for denominational change. By concentrating on the churches that want such change, the prayer leadership teams can be helpful to all, but clearly focused on the change-agents. Mentoring churches will be identified to lead the process as well.

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Currently, 219 nations have declared their intent to participate in the annual Global Day of Prayer. Isaiah 56:7 is the theme: "These I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations."

Around the world, believers will be gathered, irrespective of race, culture, denomination or political views. On that day, may 30, the whole earth can be called "a house of prayer for the nations." Virtually every nation on the face of the earth will be represented in front of the throne of grace, more nations than are members of the UN.

The initiative did not begin in North America or Europe. It began in Africa in 2005. And yet, Africa and the Pacific nations, due to communication infrastructure challenges, have been the most difficult to involve.

The event will begin on Taveuni Island, on the 180th Meridian, the International Dateline.  From the beginning of the Global Day of Prayer, the church in the nation of Fiji has been delighted to light the prayer torch and begin the day of prayer for all of the nations of the earth as the islanders greet the first rays of dawn.

Down under, in Australia, 13 towns or cities will participate. In New Zealand, so far 30 cities or towns have indicated their involvement. In some places, local churches will participate. In other cities, stadiums will fill up. Imagine the scene from heaven, when it seems that the whole earth is crying out to God for a new fresh Pentecost.

If you need information about your country or region, please visit www.globaldayofprayer.com and click on your continent.  For direct questions, contact info@globaldayofprayer.com.

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