“As Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens opened
and He saw the Spirit of God descending…”
Matthew 3:16 (NLT) Open heavens represent seasons when God moves in special and tangible ways among people. We see Isaiah crying out for God to rend (open) the heavens and come down to earth to do awesome things (Isaiah 64:1-4). At Jesus’ baptism, the moment He came up out of the water, the heavens opened up, the Holy Spirit came upon Him in the form of a dove, and the Father voice was heard from heaven saying, “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:16-17). Ezekiel said that he was among the exiles by the River Kebar and the heavens opened up and he saw visions of God (Ezekiel 1:1-4). John, the beloved Apostle, saw a door open in heaven, then heard God’s voice and suddenly was ushered before the throne of God (Revelation 4:1-2). Jacob had a dream of an open heaven. He saw a ladder with angels ascending and descending and the LORD standing there speaking to him. When Jacob awoke he proclaimed God is in this place (Genesis 28:12-17). An open heaven is God’s manifest presence being revealed. It is literally heaven opening up to us on earth. Historically, in times of revival there is an open heaven, a sense of God’s manifest presence coming down in a tangible way bringing conviction of sin, intensifying a fear of God, drawing people to understand and respond to the Gospel and releasing miracles and revelation. Open heavens can happen over people, churches, cities and over entire geographical regions. Join me in crying out for God to open up heaven over Athens, over His church here and over each one of our lives! Here are some great opportunities to pray for an open heaven with others across Athens for our city. Prayer Walking at UGA
Saturday, November 2 / 10am to just before noon
UGA Arch – Corner of Broad St. and College Ave. Again in November we will hit the pavement at UGA on the FIRST Saturday. Join us as we cry out for God to do His will, completely and powerfully, in Athens. Every prayer walk is amazing, and always beautifully unique. We meet up at the UGA Arch and go from there. Whether you have never been on a prayer walk before, or you’re a veteran intercessor, or somewhere in-between, you are so welcome to join us as we walk, talk and pray for an open heaven over UGA, across Athens, and beyond. Student Pastors Prayer
Thursday, November 7 / 9 to 10am
Watkinsville First Baptist Church – 1610 Simonton Bridge Rd., Watkinsville 30677 On the first Thursday of each month Student Pastors meet up to pray with and for each other. Please pray for the Student Pastors and the student ministries across Athens. Pray for all of these Student Pastors – for their spiritual wellbeing, passion, faith and wisdom to lead their ministry. Pray for all the volunteers, interns and staff working with Middle School through High School students in Athens. Pray for the students – for conviction and passion of faith, for godly friends and boldness to make good decisions. Pray for momentum and traction for each Student ministry. Please pray for us as we prepare for The Mix20. And pray for revival on every campus across Athens and the greater Athens area! Ask an open heaven over every student ministry and campus across our city! Athens Intercessors Community
Monday, November 11 / 7 to 9pm
APN Prayer Center This is a timely monthly calling together of intercessors from across Athens. Watchmen are taking their place on the walls, and our unity is vitally important. This is not a closed group, though it is definitely not for everyone. It is specifically for those who are intercessors in Athens (whether veteran or pretty new at it), to come together, connect, network, get equipped and pray for and with each other. If you’re interested in being a part of it, please let me know. Pastors Prayer
Wednesday, November 13 / 9 to 10am
Tweed Recording Studio – 160 E Washington St., Athens 30601 Unity is a beautiful thing, and this group of senior pastors is an expression of the unity that God is expanding in Athens. On the second Wednesday of each month we meet up to share our lives and pray with and for each other. Pray that God would guard and deepen the unity He has established in Athens among these pastors. Please pray for your pastor, perhaps even while we are meeting. Ask God to tremendously bless, refresh, encourage, protect and provide for your pastor, their marriage and their family. Ask God to meet each of these spiritual gatekeepers of Athens right where they are, and give them all that it takes to stay connected to God and run strongly. Ask God to prepare all these leaders for what He is about to do in our city! And ask God for an open heaven over each of these pastors in our city!!! Groups Pastors Prayer
Wednesday, November 20 / 9:30 to 10:30am
Cornerstone – 4680 Lexington Rd., Athens 30605 On the third Wednesday of each month many of those who lead the small groups ministries at their church in our city come together to share life and pray for each other. Life happens best in community and small groups provide that context! Please pray for those who lead the groups ministries in our city. Pray for the groups’ leaders to lead well. Pray for people in the groups to be willing to share their lives and be open to grow. Pray that the groups ministries in Athens would be healthy and strong! Pray that God would raise up more group leaders for the next season. Ask God to protect and expand this vital ministry in our city. Ask Him for His open heaven over this essential ministry in Athens! Executive Pastors Prayer
Thursday, November 21 / 9 to 10am
Athens Church – 10 Huntington Rd., Athens 30606 The leaders who “run” churches in Athens come together to share and pray for and with each other each month. 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 Athens. This is such a vital ministry! Ask for an open heaven over their lives! Pray that God would give them wisdom from above and supernatural joy as they keep the systems operating smoothly and effectively (or set up new ones) for Kingdom growth in our city. Pray that God would increase His presence and favor in their lives and homes. Pray that God would give them what they need to be prepared for what’s coming next. Kid’s Pastors Prayer
Thursday, November 21 / 10 to 11am
Watkinsville Baptist Church – 1610 Simonton Bridge Rd, Watkinsville 30677 Each month those who lead children’s ministries across Athens come together at a different venue to sharpen each other through sharing life, resources and prayer. Please pray for these pastors, directors and volunteers who lead the various kid’s ministries in our city. And if you’re one of them, please join us if you’re able!!! This month we’ll be at WFBC in the “Watkidsville Building.” If you have any questions contact Erin Murray at erin@lifechurchofathens.com or 706-318-3697. Pastors Racial Unity Gatherings
Thursday, November 21 / 10am to noon
Athens Church – 10 Huntington Rd., Athens 30606 Every two months Senior Pastors from across Athens come together to discuss and pray into racial issues that affect us in Athens. It has been life changing. Please pray that God would protect and finish what He has begun in us. Pray that He would continue to tear down every wall that divides us in Athens and to increase the level of unity even more. Pray that God would grant us even a greater grace as we press in with each other and look for ways to walk it out in Athens. Prayer for the Middle East & Israel
Friday, November 22 / noon to 1pm
Living Hope (House of Prayer) – 2150 Lexington Rd., Athens 30605 This is a monthly opportunity to join in with others, focusing prayer for important issues in the Middle East. There are usually reports from missionaries who are there in the Middle East, to help direct laser focused prayer. Please join in as we press into God on behalf of this precious region of the world. Even if you cannot physically be at this gathering, please take time on this day to pray for the Middle East. Ask for God’s more, for the Middle East! Ongoing and inspirational… Campus Prayer
Monday, November 4, 11, 18, & 25 / noon to 1pm
UGA Tate – room 480 Every week (during the school year) UGA students and others to come together from various ministries and local churches to pray on campus for each other and for revival. These are pretty powerful times of prayer! Please join us for some or all of this gathering each Monday at noon. Join us in crying out for an open heaven over UGA! Campus Ministry Directors Prayer
Monday, November 4, 11, & 18 / 3 to 4:30pm
Campus View Church – 1360 S Lumpkin St., Athens 30605 The directors of many of the campus ministries at UGA come together every week during the school year, to pray, and share life. This semester we are reading and praying through the book of Ephesians together. This is a crazy awesome opportunity for us to build unity and stand with each other as we fight the good fight for the kingdom of God on our campus. Please pray for these campus leaders as they catch the wave that the Holy Spirit is stirring up on the campus. Ask God to grant them a spirit of wisdom and revelation to know Jesus better! Ask for an open heaven over every campus ministry that you know of! Thursday Prayer Calls
Thursdays / 4 to 4:30pm
Dial 720-835-5456 – when prompted enter PIN 55787 All are invited to join a weekly prayer call for the purpose of praying Athens College of Ministry forward. Thank you for contending with ACM for the full realization of our vision! Athens Daily Prayer Texts
Ongoing
All across Athens area Every morning at 8am, these Daily Prayer Texts are delivered to cell phones across Athens and beyond. They are also posted each day at noon on the APN Facebook page. If you would like to receive these DPT each day, please text @athenspray to 81010. This is an amazing and simple way to start your day and to stand in unified, focused prayer with others from across our city for our city! Coming up… New Year New Heart – 20/20 Vision
Saturday, January 11, 2020 / 9am to 5pm
Cornerstone Church
Cost: $35, includes lunch Registration is now open for the 7th annual prayer conference, New Year – New Heart! This year’s conference theme is 20/20 Vision and will be exploring together Ephesians 1:18, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened…” To register… https://acmin.org/new-year-new-heart/?blm_aid=20059 The Mix 2020
February 28-29, 2020
The Classic Center We will be providing the prayer coverage over The Mix 2020. Each student ministry coming will be asked to sign up for a ONE HOUR slot to pray for the up to 3000 Middle School and High School students from Athens that we are hoping to be a part of this crazy amazing gathering. We’ll be looking for prayer assistants who would commit to a THREE HOUR slot. And anyone who wants to pray for the students can come at any time during those 36 hours! Please mark your calendar and plan to join us whether as a Prayer Assistant, or a part of one of the teams grabbing a One Hour Slot or simply coming for as much as you can! Please begin praying now for this important gathering. For more (and up to date) stuff…
Every day we post something on the APN Facebook page. Usually it is more than once. These posts include prayer opportunities, prayer points, prayer inspirations and the Daily Prayer Text. It is definitely worth checking out daily to help stay connected with what God is doing in our city! Bless you heaps!!!
Steve | 
