“When the Lamb broke the seventh seal on the scroll, there was silence throughout heaven for about half an hour.” Revelation 8:1 (NLT)
As far as I can tell, there is nonstop, constant and very loud noise around the throne of God. With living creatures continually crying out “holy, holy, holy” with flashes of lightning and peals of thunder coming from the throne, it is definitely loud and penetrating! Then suddenly there is silence in heaven! I imagine it will be like the time Jesus told the life-threatening storm and the crushing waves to be still, and suddenly all was calm, there was probably not even a slight breeze. Perhaps a “drip, drip, drip” in the background. There are seasons in our life when we need to step into that silence. There are seasons when we need to allow God to realign and prepare us for what is about to take place. There are seasons when we need to “be still and know He is God!” (Psalm 46:10). If at all possible, take time this summer to be still before God. Find space to rest in Him. In the midst of your broken rhythm of summer, may He refresh and renew you, and prepare you for what is coming! You might even hear the clock going “tick, tick, tick” in the background! And if you are available, please join us (as appropriate) in the great prayer opportunities happening in Athens this month!
Please note… worship pastors, groups pastors, and executive pastors will not be getting together in July, but will relaunch in August!
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
Student Pastors Prayer
Thursday, July 6 / 9 to 10am
Cornerstone – 4680 Lexington Road, Athens, GA 30605
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. Please join us in praying for a move of God on the middle school and high school campuses across Athens, especially as we press in to throughout the summer and prepare for a great harvest this fall.
Prayer Retreat
Friday through Sunday, July 7 to 9
Monastery of the Holy Spirit – 2625 Hwy 212 SW, Conyers
Cornerstone is hosting a prayer retreat at the Monastery in Conyers. The whole purpose is to withdraw as Jesus often did, to a quiet place to nourish our soul. Anyone who desires to refocus their relationship with God through guided private reflection is welcome. Starts Friday at 5pm (meet at Cornerstone at 2pm) and then concludes Sunday by 10am. Cost is $150. At this moment, there are only two slots remaining, so if you want to join in, please be quick! For more information contact Robert Sheppard at 706-549-0000 or robert.sheppard@cornerstoneathens.cc.
Prayer Walking at UGA
Saturday, July 8 / 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. You are most welcome to join us as we walk, talk and pray for revival. These are some awesome times of prayer!!!
Campus Ministers Prayer
Monday, July 10, 24 & 31 / 1:30 to 3pm
UGA
As we pass mid-summer and the school year quickly approaches pray for all those who lead college ministries in Athens. Pray that God would refresh and renew passion for Him and clarity of vision. The campus minsters who happen to be in town will be meeting up to pray. And while you are at, please pray for the students, specifically that God would prepare them for coming back in August and diving into His wave!
Pastors Prayer
Wednesday, July 12 / 9 to 10am
The Sparrow’s Nest – 745 Prince Avenue, Athens
This monthly gathering on the second Wednesday is for senior pastors from around Athens to meet up to pray for and with each other. Please keep up your ongoing prayer for your pastor, as well as for the other senior pastors from across our city. Pray for God to refresh and renew them. Pray for their protection in the battle, for their marriages and their families. Ask God to give them strength and encouragement. Ask God to give them perseverance to not give up, or to not give in. Ask God to release a hope, faith and trust within them that they will reap a harvest of blessing if they keep pressing into God (Galatians 6:9). And ask God to release joy in their ministry!
Prayer for the Middle East
Wednesday, July 19 / 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 often lead to some very specific praying. Everyone is welcome to join us as we pray for Israel and the conflict in the Middle East.
Heart of a Man
Tuesday, July 25 / 7pm
Living Hope – 2150 Lexington Road, Athens 30605
All pastors, spouses and key leaders from any church in Athens are welcome to a special showing of the movie “The Heart of a Man.” Justin Torrence, one of the actors, will be present to show the movie and then discuss ways it can be used for ministry and outreach when it comes out in theaters this September.
Here are the links to the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYDvRgj35OM
Kid’s Pastors Prayer
Thursday, July 27 / 9 to 10am
Cornerstone – 4680 Lexington Road, Athens, GA 30605
At this point the children’s pastors form around Athens meet up to pray four times a year. Please use this as an opportunity to pray for those who lead the kid’s ministries at your church!
Citywide Prayer Leaders Gathering
Friday, July 28 / 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. It’s an awesome opportunity to connect, hear what God is saying to each other and to pray together. As you can imagine these are pretty amazing gatherings! Please pray for these strategic citywide prayer leaders, 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 harvest!
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.
Coming up (definitely mark your calendar)…
Worship Pastors Prayer
Wednesday, August 1 / 9 to 10:30am
Athens Church – 10 Huntington Road, Athens, 30606
Campus Ministries Leadership Teams United Prayer
Tuesday, August 8 / 9 to 11am
Calvary Bible Church – 2026 S Milledge Ave, Athens, GA 30605
Executive Pastors Prayer
Thursday, August 17
Groups Pastors Prayer
Thursday, August 17 / 3 to 4pm (note new time)
Pastors Racial Reconciliation Gathering
Thursday, September 28 / 9am to 1pm
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
The Classic Center
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
