| “Long ago I prophesied things that would happen. I issued decrees and made them known. Then suddenly, I acted and made them happen.” Isaiah 48:3 (TPT) |
We are alive in a time when God’s “suddenly” is upon us! And it is going to be amazing!!! The suddenly rarely happen accidentally. A suddenly usually requires both God and our part. While we pray and obey, He works in the hidden place. His prophetic word will be fulfilled in His timing, at just the right moment. The disciples “were together constantly in prayer” (Acts 1:14) until the Day of Pentecost came and “suddenly” heaven moved on earth (Acts 2), just as Jesus had promised!
Jesus came suddenly, at the fullness of time. The way had been prepared for Him. This had been prophesied for centuries! And while the shepherds were out in the field an angel suddenly appeared with the amazing message of the Messiah being born. Then a great number of heavenly host suddenly appeared giving “glory to God in the highest” (Luke 2:8-14).
Many years later, the Beloved John was in exile and while worshipping in the Spirit revelation was suddenly poured out upon him (Revelation 1:10). He wasn’t out playing golf, or surfing or shopping. He was pressing into God!
Suddenly the waters break and labor pains intensify. Not too long after that, the baby is born. The baby had been conceived then wonderfully woven together in the hidden place of its mother’s womb (Psalm 139:14-16) until birth day! And then suddenly…
Our prayers prepare the way for the suddenly. Please keep believing, keep praying, keep obeying and keep waiting upon God, as He watches to fulfill His word (Jeremiah 1:12).
Here are some ways you can press in and pray with and for others this month….
Athens Prayer Walk
Saturday, June 5 / 10am to noon
The Arch – Corner of College Avenue and East Broad Street
Each month we gather at The Arch to stroll together and cry out to God to break forth at UGA and in our city. In person, on site prayer really does matter! We are pressing into God for revival, even reformation, on this campus, across our city and beyond! We are preparing the way for the suddenly here! These prayer walks are always unique and a huge blessing to those who come! Please join us if you’re able!
Athens Intercessors Community
Monday, June 7 / 7 to 9pm
APN Prayer Center
Each month intercessors from around Athens converge, to hear what God has been saying to each of us, and get a sense of where we are heading as we press into this new era. These are always amazing times as the watchmen link together and stand in our positions across our city, in unity! If you’re one of the intercessors, please join us!
Pastors Prayer
Wednesday, June 9 / 9 to 10am
Phoenix Community – 660 W. Broad Street, Athens 30601
Each month Senior pastors from across Athens come together to pray for and with each other! From wherever you are, please use this as an opportunity to join us in praying for the pastors in our city, starting with your own! Pray that God would give them supernatural stamina, divine insights and wisdom from above, along with extraordinary creativity and Holy Spirit boldness, as they lead their congregations through this challenging, unprecedented, and hostile season. Ask God to show them how to prepare for the suddenly of revival and reformation. Ask God to empower them to lead well, and for each church to be an instrument of life and help to the Athens community in such a time as this. Pray that God would protect, even expand the kingdom unity among pastors in our city in 2021. In the midst of the tremendous weight that is currently on them, ask God to abundantly bless, extravagantly refresh, greatly encourage, divinely protect and supernaturally provide for your pastor, their marriage and their family. Ask God to meet each of these lead shepherds in Athens right where they are, and give them all that it takes to stay intimately connected to God and run strongly throughout this battle and season of transition. Plead with God for the authority of His word to increase in each pulpit and for each pastor to experience an increase in anointing in their preaching! And cry out for God to use our pastors as a powerful holy voice in our city and beyond, that they would not be silenced, fearful or hidden!
Groups Pastors Prayer
Wednesday, June 16 / 9:30 to 10:30am
Cornerstone – 4680 Lexington Road, Athens, GA 30605
Each month those who lead Groups Ministries come together to share and pray with and for each other. Join us in praying for those who lead Groups Ministries across Athens. People are desperate for authentic community and groups provide it! Groups play an increasingly important role in discipling our city! Pray that God would continue to lead the Groups Pastors in our city to create more new and effective ways to stay connected and to connect new people. Pray that God would grant them wisdom and creativity. Pray for the groups’ leaders to lead their groups well in new formats. Pray that God would raise up more group leaders for this new era. Ask God to gently remove those who should not be leading groups any more. Ask God to protect and expand this vital ministry in our city. Ask God to release an anticipation for the suddenly in each group. And ask Him for heaven to come down upon every group that meets in Jesus’ powerful Name in Athens!
Executive Pastors Prayer
Thursday, June 17 / 9 to 10am
Grace Fellowship – 1120 Malcom Bridge Rd, Bogart 30622
Each month those who “run” churches in Athens come together to share and pray with and for each other. Pray for these hidden warriors who make huge decisions in a climate they have never been before. God has been and continues to prepare them for this new season that upon us! Please pray for the executive / administrative pastor (or those who do that role) in your church and the others who carry this load in the churches across our city. They need wisdom, creativity, boldness and faith. This is a very important ministry at such a crucial time as this! Pray that God would give them supernatural joy and grace as they keep the systems operating and create new ones for Kingdom growth in Athens. Pray for unity between them and their senior pastor. Pray that God would increase His presence and favor on their lives and homes. Pray that God would give them what they need as the Church emerges in this new era.
Altar of Fire
Thursday, June 17 / 7 to 9pm
Phoenix Community – 660 W. Broad Street, Athens 30601
In June we will be continuing our monthly, citywide gathering for intercessors, worshippers and lovers of Jesus. This gathering is definitely not for the light-hearted, but for those who want to jump into the fire of God, with a wholehearted passionate surrender to Jesus. This is an amazing time of worship, high praise, prayer and surrender. We’ve seen healing, even salvation happen amongst us. If you’re interested in giving it all to Jesus in a corporate setting with others who are desperate for God, this is for you!!! Please mark your calendar and plan to join us.
Prayer for the Middle East
Friday, June 25 / noon to 1pm
Living Hope (house of prayer) – 2150 Lexington Rd, Athens, GA 30605
Each month a group of passionate prayer warriors gather to pray for Israel and the nations in the Middle East. This is such a vital time to be standing with Israel! And you are most welcome to join in. Even if you can’t be there in person, please take time during this hour to pray with them from wherever you may be. There is much power in agreeing prayer!
PLEASE NOTE… there will be no Student Pastors Prayer or Worship Pastors Prayer over the summer (June and July). Student Pastors will reconnect on Thursday, August 5 at 9am (venue to be determined). The Worship Pastors Prayer is still pending.
ONGOING & INSPIRATIONAL…
Pastors “Contending for Revival” Prayer Gathering
Thursdays, 3, 10, 17 and 24 / 10:30 to 11:30am
The Light – 174 Henderson Ext, Athens 30605
Senior Pastors from around Athens are encouraged to join us for a weekly prayer time as we contend for revival in our city, state and nation. Every one of these are quite amazing, filled with intensity and a strong sense of God’s presence. The last Thursday of the month (June 24) is open for all pastors and key leadership in churches to join us as well. Please be praying for your pastor to catch the fire of the Holy Spirit, to prepare for the suddenly and for a passion to see revival released right here in our city!
Give Him 15
Daily
Everywhere
If you are not already seeing the daily videos or reading the daily post, I would highly recommend it. This will continue till it’s over! Get the GiveHim15 App at the App store or go to https://www.givehim15.com/. You can also get the written post most days on the APN Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1423907481169281
Georgia Prayer Line
Wednesdays / 7:45am
Dial 425-436-6325 – when prompted enter access code 423231#
Please try to log in at 7:40am to announce your city and county. If you miss the live call you can still hear it by dialing 425-436-6309 (same access code).
Athens Daily Prayer Texts
Ongoing
All across Athens area
Every day at 8am these Daily Prayer Texts are delivered to cell phones across Athens and beyond. And they are also posted each day at noon on the APN Facebook page. If you would like to receive these DPT’s on your phone, please text @athenspray to 81010. This is a simple and amazingly awesome way to start your day and to stand in unified focused prayer with others from across our city, for our city!
COMING UP…
Back to School Prayer Vigil
August 6-7
Venue (to be determined)
More details will be available soon, but for now please mark your calendar and plan to come pray for all the students in our Athens area as they return to school. We are inviting churches to sign up for ONE HOUR slots. If you are interested in signing up your church, please let me know by emailing steve@athensprayernetwork.com. I’ll make sure you get the details as soon as they are available.
MORE & UP TO DATE STUFF…
Every day we post something on the APN Facebook page. Usually (and especially recently) it is more than once. These posts include prayer opportunities, prayer points, prayer inspirations and the Daily Prayer Text. It is definitely worth checking daily to help stay connected with what God is doing and to see how other people are praying in our city!
Preparing for the suddenly!
Steve
