“Hannah got up and went to pray.” 1 Samuel 1:9 (NLT)
Hannah was a woman who was unable to have children. She was so desperate that it says she was “in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the LORD” (v. 10). She did not let go of this prayer request until God answered. Ultimately God responded to her prayer, opening her womb and allowing her to conceive of a son. And not just a son, this son was named Samuel, who became the most powerful prophet in the Old Testament. The LORD was with Samuel and throughout his life, not one of his words fell to the ground (1 Samuel 3:19). And she was not only given one son, but a total of three sons and two daughters! Hannah prayed for a son and God gave her Samuel and then some. When we pray for specific things and not let go, God answers with “abundantly beyond what we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). God loves to faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds (Psalm 65:5a – NLT). You see, when we pray, we open a door in heaven that releases God to bless and do things that He wants to do, but doesn’t (can’t?) until we ask. That’s what makes prayer so powerful. It’s not our request, it’s the act itself that opens the door for God to pour out infinitely more than we could ever ask of Him. So, ask and keep on asking. Seek and keep on seeking. Knock and keep on knocking until the door of heaven opens and pours out His response (Matt 7:7). And as Jesus put, “always pray and never give up” (Luke 18:1).
Here are some ways you can pray with others this coming month and beyond…
Praying for Men – A 60 Day Prayer Watch
July 3 – September 1
All across Athens area
This summer we are having a prayer focus on men! As part of this prayer initiative, we are asking praying people to sign up for one or more 30 minute slot each week and then pray during that same time slot each week throughout the summer. While there is no limit as to how many can fill a specific slot, it’s our hope to fill every slot during the weekday times. Our prayer will cover all men in Athens (and whatever town you live in), specifically the men who are close to you AND we will be praying for a men’s recovery ministry going on during those eight weeks. The primary time slots are during the daytime hours, but if you would like to sign up for an “after hour” slot please type the day and time you are signing up for next to your name* (i.e. Jerry Smith – Saturday 11:30pm). A prayer guide will be provided to help you focus your prayers! To sign up go to www.slottr.com/sheets/6659079
Worship Pastors Prayer
Wednesday, August 2 / 9 to 10:30am
Athens Church – 10 Huntington Road, Athens 30606
On the first Wednesday of each month worship pastors from around Athens meet up to pray for and with each other and for the worship ministries in our region. As we launch into a new season, join us asking God to release greater anointing upon the worship leaders in our city. Ask Him for new songs, new intensity, new passion and even miracles in the context of worship in the churches across our city.
Student Pastors Prayer
Thursday, August 3 / 9 to 10am
Athens Church – 10 Huntington Road, Athens 30606
On the first Thursday of each month student pastors from around Athens meet up to pray for and with each other and for the student ministries in our region. As we launch into this new season please join us asking God for a move of His Spirit on all the Middle School and High School campuses in Athens. Pray that God would continue to build momentum in unity between student ministries. Ask for more student leaders to rise up in preparation of the coming harvest!
Campus Ministries Leadership Teams United Prayer
Tuesday, August 8 / 9 to 11am
Calvary Bible Church – 2026 S Milledge Ave, Athens 30605
The various campus ministries directors and their teams are coming together to pray with and for each other and for the new season at UGA. Pray with us for greater unity between campus ministries. Pray for great effectiveness in connecting with new students (including the over 5000 freshmen soon to arrive on campus). Pray that every campus ministry would be blessed and effective in reaching the lost and raising up disciples of Jesus. Pray for revival at UGA.
Pastors Prayer
Wednesday, August 9 / 9 to 10am
WFBC – 1610 Simonton Bridge Rd, Watkinsville 30677
This monthly gathering on the second Wednesday is for senior pastors from around Athens to meet up to pray for and with each other. Praying for your pastors is so important. Please increase the intensity of prayer for your pastor, as well as for the other senior pastors from across our city. As we launch into this new season there is tremendous spiritual pressure upon them. I know of several who have come under very intense attack. Pray for God to meet with them to refresh and renew them. Pray for their protection in this battle. Pray for their marriages and their families. Ask God to give them strength, encouragement and stamina. Ask God to give them wisdom and revelation that they would know Him better (Eph 1:17) and from that place lead and minister. And ask God for joy, peace and faith to be released in greater measure over them and their ministry!
Prayer Walking at UGA
Saturday, August 12 / 10am to just before noon
UGA Arch – Corner of Broad Street and College Ave
Rain or shine, heat or cold (and it could be anything), we hit the ground praying. We meet up at the UGA Arch and go from there. This is a monthly opportunity (usually the second Saturday) to join in with other prayer warriors from across our city to focus prayer on the campus and our city. These are always awesome times of prayer, and this one being the weekend before classes start back up is especially important!!! You are most welcome to join us as we walk, talk and pray for revival.
Campus Ministers Prayer
Monday, August 14, 21 & 28 / 1:30 to 3pm
Near UGA
This weekly gathering for the various campus ministers is vital in building unity and spiritual momentum at UGA. Pray for these leaders as they connect with one another and in humility journey with one another to reach UGA with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray that each of these leaders would step back into the flow and intensity with passion, devotion, wisdom and grace! Pray that God would position them to catch the wave of the Spirit that is coming!
Prayer for the Middle East
Wednesday, August 16 / noon to 1pm
Living Hope (House of Prayer) – 2150 Lexington Road, Athens 30605
This is the monthly gathering of focused prayer for the Middle East and Israel. There are usually updates from the Middle East, which lead to some very specific praying. Everyone is welcome to join us as we pray for Israel and the conflict in the Middle East.
Executive Pastors Prayer
Thursday, August 17 / 9 to 10am
Athens Church – 10 Huntington Road, Athens 30606
This monthly gathering is for those who “run” the churches in Athens. Please pray that God would protect them and their families, and grant them wisdom beyond this world (James 3:17-18). Pray that out of this unity God would do even greater things!
Groups Pastors Prayer
Thursday, August 17 / 3 to 4pm (note new time)
Cornerstone – 4680 Lexington Road, Athens 30605
This monthly gathering is for those who lead “groups or discipleship” ministries in our city. Pray that God would give these leaders wisdom and creativity as they prepare to launch a new set of groups in this new season. Pray for more group leaders and coaches. Pray for new strategies and new wineskins! Pray that more people would connect in groups across Athens than ever before. After all, group life is vital to grow in Christ and for discipleship. These groups are where the coming harvest must connect!
Night of Healing Prayer
Thursday, August 24 / 7 to 8:30 pm
St. James UMC – 111 West Lake Drive, Athens 30606
Everyone is welcome. Come as you are and drop in anywhere during this 90 minute window. Prayer with two trained prayer ministers for your needs and concerns with complete confidentiality is available if you desire. There have been many healings and breakthroughs as people meet Jesus at these gatherings. If you have any questions, please call the church office at 706-548-1680
Citywide Prayer Leaders Gathering
Friday, August 25 / 9:30 to 11am
Cornerstone (Athens Prayer Center) – 4680 Lexington Road, Athens 30605
This is our monthly gathering (usually on the last Friday of the month) for those who lead (or facilitate) prayer ministries in Athens. These are amazing gatherings that provide an awesome opportunity to connect, hear what God is saying to each other and to pray together. Please pray for these strategic citywide prayer leaders (especially the ones you know), asking God to take them deeper and deeper in their own walk with Jesus and that out of this intimate place, lead their prayer ministries forward into the coming harvest!
Men’s 2017 Watch Conference
August 25, Friday / 5:30 to 9pm & August 26, Saturday / 7:30 to noon
Thomas Cotton Gin – 3753 Greensboro Hwy., Watkinsville
As our prayer theme this summer is ‘men,’ we want to both cover this conference in prayer as well as promote it. The Watch Conference will be featuring two dynamic speakers: Trey Dickerson of Living Logos Ministries and Todd Hunt of Awakening Fires Ministries, as well as some awesome worship!!! The cost of $60 includes a t-shirt, supper Friday night and breakfast Saturday morning. For more information or to register contact Scott Barnett at barnett.scottk@gmail.com or 706-296-5025.
Ongoing and inspirational…
Athens Daily Prayer Texts
Ongoing
All across Athens area
These Daily Prayer Texts are short messages sent to your cell phone every morning at 8am. Each text includes a brief bible verse and a focus for praying. To sign up all you need to do is text @athenspray to 81010 and you’ll start getting these inspirational prayer focusing texts right away.
Prayer for the Nations
Mondays / 7 to 8:30
Church of the Nations (24/7 Prayer Room) – 8780 Macon Hwy, Athens 30606
Every Monday night this group meets to pray for the nations. They are currently praying for the most persecuted countries. They intertwine some ‘missions’ statistics and a Biblical basis of Missions, as well as a short Bible study in each meeting. Their room is accessible from the outside (the doors are always unlocked), to the right of the Family Life Center. Please join in and pray for the nations of the world to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Encounter Gatherings
Thursdays / 6:30 to 8pm
Cornerstone (Athens Prayer Center) – 4680 Lexington Road, Athens 30605
These weekly gatherings are open to everyone who wants to meet with God and grow in their faith. These gatherings include some amazing teaching, worship and lots of prayer! Please join in if you are able!
Coming up…
Unity Prayer
This is a monthly gathering of college students (only) from across the campus ministries coming together to pray. More details soon! They usually meet on a Sunday night at the Classic City Ministry Center.
UGA Prayer Network
This is a new ministry that provides a context for students and others from across UGA and various churches in Athens to come together on campus to pray for and with one another for the campus and revival. More details soon.
Pastors Racial Reconciliation Gathering
Thursday, September 28 / 9am to 1pm
The Light – 174 Henderson Extension, Athens 30606
Kid’s Pastors Prayer
Thursday, October 26 / 9 to 10am
WFBC – 1610 Simonton Bridge Rd, Watkinsville 30677
Spiritual Warfare & Deliverance Conference with Eddie & Alice Smith
Thursday – Saturday, November 2 to 4
Cornerstone – 4680 Lexington Road, Athens 30605
The Mix 2018
Friday – Sunday, February 23 to 25, 2018
Athens Church – 10 Huntington Road, Athens 30606
For more (and up to date) stuff…
Some of the above activities may change, and there are other prayer opportunities that come up in addition to things happening that were not listed above… you can get the latest happening at www.facebook.com/groups/1423907481169281/
Bless you heaps!!!
Steve
