“One day Jesus told His disciples a story to show them that they should always pray and never give up.” Luke 18:1 (NLT)
I am a landlocked surfer. Having grown up in Southern California and blessed to have lived in a beach community in Australia, surfing it something in my blood. But as I sit here in Athens Georgia, I sense we are between spiritual “sets.” It is a season of broken rhythm. It is a season where a few waves may come our way. But it is also a season that if we are not careful we can allow ourselves to drift a bit, and not be in position when the next set comes. It is a temptation for surfers to relax a bit between sets, but in doing so the current will usually pull them out of position so that when the next set arrives they are not where they need to be to catch it. We’re in that season right now. School is out, college students are gone, the city has slowed down, vacation has come and any semblance of schedule has gone out the window. It is right now that we need to press into God and stay positioned at His feet. Don’t allow this season to disposition you. Please choose to make that time with Jesus whether you are traveling, on vacation, or just chilling at home. If you’re not intentional with it, guess what, it won’t happen! Here are some opportunities for you to join in with others in prayer during these summer months who are trying to stay in position for the next set…
Student Pastors Prayer
Thursday, June 1 / 9 to 10am
Watkinsville First Baptist Church – 1610 Simonton Bridge Rd, Watkinsville, GA
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 finish this school year strong with a great harvest.
Campus Minister Prayer
Monday, June 5, July 10, 24 & 31 / 1:30 to 3pm
UGA
Summer brings a change of rhythm, especially for those who minister to college students. It’s a time to press into God, get a head start for messages and planning, mission trips and vacations! Those campus minsters who happen to be in town will be meeting up to pray throughout the summer. Please park at Wesley and we’ll go from there!
Day of Prayer for Lead Pastors
Tuesday, June 6 / 9am to 5pm
Monastery of the Holy Spirit – 2625 Hwy 212 SW, Conyers
This is an opportunity for senior pastors to get away with other pastors just to seek God. We will be meeting at the SJUMC parking lot and going from there. We will spend a huge chunk of our time alone, in quiet with God. We’ll wrap the day with some time together sharing what God showed us and praying for one another. What a great way to kick start your summer!!! Please let me know if you are coming!
Worship Pastors Prayer
Wednesday, June 7 / 9 to 10:00am
Tuckston UMC – 4175 Lexington Road, Athens 30605
This monthly gathering on the first Wednesday is for worship pastors from around Athens to meet up to pray for and with each other and for their ministries in churches in Athens. Please pray that God would increase His anointing on those who lead worship in Athens and release a new song over our city! Pray for there to be more and more worship pastors joining this group.
Prayer Walking at UGA
Saturday, June 10 / 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 others 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. I can’t wait to pray with you again!
Pastors Prayer
Wednesday, June 14 / 9 to 10am
Hill Chapel Baptist Church – 1692 West Hancock Avenue Athens, GA 30606
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 intense prayer for your pastor, as well as for the other senior pastors from across our city. Pray that God would protect them, their marriages and their families. Ask God to strengthen the weary and encourage the discouraged. Ask God to give them the grace to not give up, to not give in and to release a hope within them that they will reap a harvest of blessing (Galatians 6:9). Ask God to make their ministry in Athens a joy to do!
Groups Pastors Prayer
Thursday, June 15 / 1:30 to 2:30m
Cornerstone – 4680 Lexington Road, Athens 30605
This monthly gathering is for groups & discipleship pastors from around Athens to meet up to pray for and with each other and for their ministries in churches in Athens. Please pray that God would give these leaders wisdom on growing and connecting more believers from our churches in Athens.
Prayer for the Middle East
Wednesday, June 21 / noon to 1pm
Living Hope (House of Prayer) – 2150 Lexington Road, Athens 30605
This gathering is a time of focused prayer for the Middle East and Israel. There are often updates from the Middle East, which leads to some very specific prayers. Please join us as we pray for Israel and the conflict in the Middle East.
Executive Pastors Prayer
Thursday, June 22 / 9 to 10am
WFBC – 1610 Simonton Bridge Rd, Watkinsville, GA
This monthly gathering is for executive pastors from around Athens to meet up to pray for and with each other and for their ministries in churches in Athens. Please pray that God would pour our wisdom upon these pastors who “run” churches in Athens.
Pastors Racial Reconciliation Gathering
Thursday, June 29 / 9am to 1pm
Living Hope – 2150 Lexington Road, Athens 30605
Please pray as we continue our prayer and discussion into this incredibly relevant topic. Ask God to grant us wisdom and grace to look for ways to walk out unity and reconciliation in our city!
Citywide Prayer Leaders Gathering
Friday, June 30 / 9:30 to 11am
Cornerstone (Athens Prayer Center) – 4680 Lexington Road, Athens 30605
This is a monthly gathering (usually on the last Friday of the month) for those folks who lead (or facilitate) prayer ministries in Athens. It’s a great opportunity to connect, hear what God is saying to each other and to pray together. As you can imagine these are pretty awesome gatherings! Please pray for these strategic prayer leaders, asking God to take them deeper and deeper in their own intimate walk with Jesus and that out of this place, lead their prayer ministries forward!
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.
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, 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
Coming up (definitely mark your calendar)…
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. For more information contact Robert Sheppard at 706-549-0000 or robert.sheppard@cornerstoneathens.cc
Kid’s Pastors Prayer
Thursday, July 27 / 9 to 10am
Cornerstone – 4680 Lexington Road, Athens 30605
Campus Ministries Leadership Teams United Prayer
Tuesday, August 8 / 9 to 11am
Calvary Bible Church – 2026 S Milledge Ave, Athens, GA 30605
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/
