Praying for the Needs of Others
Last Saturday evening, Jeana and I returned from Israel, the Holy Land. When we take groups to Israel, we always offer to pray for others in the Garden of Gethsemane.
So, on Tuesday morning, July 10, in rapid fire before the Lord, we called out the personal needs of a few hundred people who sent requests. When we finished this hour in the Garden of Gethsemane, I told Jeana I was absolutely exhausted. Even though it was not even mid-morning, the process of prayer exhausted me. Why? Prayer is hard work, especially when you carry the burdens of so many. Jeana said I was exhausted because I preached my praying that day, calling out to God with such great intensity.
Going through this list reminded me of the dire need to pray for others.
When We Pray for Others, the Walls Begin to Fall Down
Attending and speaking at the 2018 Epicenter Prayer Summit in Jerusalem on July 11 and 12 also reminded me of the powerful need for and the experience of praying for others.
As I listened to and prayed with and for leaders who are Palestinian Christians and Messianic Jews, I heard and witnessed powerful stories of how prayer has torn the walls down between their people and their desire to make a difference in Israel, the Middle East, and beyond. When we pray for the needs of others, including the needs of their churches, the walls of division come down.
This kind of praying takes us beyond ourselves and onto the needs of others. Therefore friend, pray for the needs of others.
Pastors, Church Leaders, and Laypeople, Move Your Church to Pray for the Needs of Others More Effectively
This is something each of us can do better. Not only personally, but in our own church. I have great interest in how my own church can learn to do this more effectively.
Therefore, I am taking this challenge. I am asking my staff team to take this challenge. I am asking our church leaders to take this challenge. I am asking you to take this challenge. Let’s develop intentional and effective ways to pray for the needs of others.
The sole purpose of the Church Prayer Leaders Network, a new ministry of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, is to help churches pray more effectively and help disciple and motivate their people to pray. Check it out at prayerleader.com.
This is what Jesus would do. Let’s be like Jesus today.
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
Come See Us October 29-30 in Northwest Arkansas: Register Now for the National Day of Prayer National Leadership Summit
Northwest Arkansas will be hosting the 2018 National Day of Prayer National Leadership Summit on Monday and Tuesday, October 29-30. The conference begins Monday morning and concludes Tuesday afternoon, allowing for travel on Sunday and Tuesday afternoon. You can register here today.
Dynamic Worship, Bible Teaching and Preaching, and Visionary Testimony
Our Cross Church Singers and Band will lead us in outstanding worship during the worship settings. As well, we will hear dynamic teaching and preaching by Dr. Kie Bowman of Austin, Texas and Pastor Bill Elliff of North Little Rock, Arkansas. Dr. Bowman and fellow Austin pastor, Trey Kent, will give testimony about the dynamic, multi-denominational prayer movement that has been taking place in their city for almost ten years, leading Austin to be the most prayed for city in America. Dr. Doug Stringer, of Somebody Cares International, will challenge us as he speaks on, “Are We Fit for the Days Ahead?” I will lead us during these powerful worship services and we will unveil our theme for the 2019 National Day of Prayer. You can register today.
Engaging and Equipping You to Advance the Strategy of Prayer for America
If you have attended in years past, you will find this year’s summit schedule different in design. Lisa Crump and I have worked diligently in planning this summit to be extremely helpful in engaging and equipping attendees to advance the strategy of prayer for America. This obviously begins at the local level, and this is what we hope to equip you to do even more effectively… mobilize unified public prayer for America.
Here are a few things you will be equipped to do even more effectively:
- Brian Dunaway, Communications Director of Cross Church, will equip us with powerful strategies for social media and website engagement.
- David Franklin, our National Day of Prayer state coordinator for Georgia, will be assisting us in engaging schools and churches like never before.
- Sheila Kimball, our State Coordinator for Connecticut, will be giving testimony to how they are seeing National Day of Prayer observances in every city and county in their state.
- Sofia Medina-Hickle, Florida’s National Day of Prayer State Coordinator, will share the exciting strategies and movements around Florida.
- Charles W. Herbster and Dr. Douglas Firebaugh of the Corporate Team of Conklin Company will be equipping us on recruiting, training, and retaining teams that win.
Our goal for this day and a half summit is for you to leave excited and encouraged, and more than equipped to lead your area in the most successful National Day of Prayer Observance ever on Thursday, May 2, 2019. Register now!
Register Today and Bring Others With You
Northwest Arkansas is a beautiful place to visit in the fall with the changing leaves in the mountain region. There is much to do in the area, you may even enjoy staying an extra day or two. Great shopping and restaurants will surround you, and we are located less than two hours away from Branson, Missouri. You can fly directly from cities all over America into Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA), and you can find hotel information on our registration page.
The priority now is to register yourself and the team from your state. Do not wait. Talk to people now, even in mid-summer, so they will have it on their calendar.
Let’s make the 2018 National Day of Prayer Leadership Summit our largest one ever! If you have any interest or desire to be part of the National Day of Prayer, register and attend. We need your help, so register today!
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
President, National Day of Prayer
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Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the Senior Pastor of Cross Church, President of the National Day of Prayer, and founder of the Cross Church School of Ministry.
To request an interview with Dr. Ronnie Floyd, contact Gayla Oldham at (479) 751-4523 or email gaylao@crosschurch.com.
Visit our website at http://ronniefloyd.com
Follow Dr. Floyd on Twitter and Instagram @ronniefloyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.