It's Time To Pray

New Castle Courier-Times Christian Perspectives Article for Saturday, August 6^th, 2011

    

Colossians 4:2 - Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

It's time to pray.

I don't know anyone who likes what has been going on in Washington D.C. I don't know anyone whose heart has not been touched by the scenes from Japan in the aftermath of the tsunami. More than a year later people are still concerned with the desperation found in Haiti after the January 2010 earthquake. Families with relatives in Afghanistan, Iraq, South Korea, and elsewhere pray every day for their sons, and daughters, and mothers, and fathers serving our country.

2011 marks the driest 7-month period in Texas in recorded history; in Louisiana this is the second driest year ever; Arizona is experiencing menacing dust storms. Locally, farmers have either received just enough rain to save this year's crop, or are looking at losing the whole season's harvest.

It's time to pray - and you have several opportunities to join people across this community, and across the country, for times of prayer. Your first opportunity is today, Saturday August 6^th.

From 11 o'clock this morning until 6 o'clock this evening people will be fasting and praying for our nation - many are gathering at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. In view of the condition of our nation, this solemn gathering is a response to the biblical book of Joel, chapter 2. Ministry and ethnic leaders from around the nation are supporting this prayer event, as are the governors of Texas and Maine.

It's time to pray - a call from New Castle Prays.

New Castle Prays is a group of individuals who pray regularly for our city. They gather at the courthouse at 7 am on the first Thursday of every month to pray; consider this your invitation to be a part of that prayer time. If you would like to get e-mail prayer updates just send a request to Tisha Sledd at tishasledd@yahoo.com.

New Castle Prays is also sponsoring "Pray the Price for Henry County Schools" on Sunday, August 28th. They are calling people to pray at the elementary schools at 2pm and then everyone will meet at the New Castle High School to pray at 3pm. In addition, they are asking churches to join in a day of fasting - choosing one day between August 22 through 28 to fast as a congregation. Let Tisha know if your church is interested in joining them.

It's time to pray - on September 28^th for See You At the Pole.

Students from around the country will gather in prayer circles around the flag pole before school on that Wednesday morning. Teachers and school staff are welcome to attend, but the prayer times must be student led. If you are a student who wants to organize a See You At the Pole event at your school you can get more information at www.syatp.com.

Or you can do what people have done around the world for generations - just pray. Pray for our President, and Governor, and Mayor. Pray for our legislators and judges. Pray for our newspaper editors and TV and Radio news producers. Pray for our families. Pray for our teachers. Pray for our pastors. Pray for other Christians.

The tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks on our nation is coming up in a few weeks - pray for our first responders and those serving in the military. Then write or call them and tell them you are holding them up in prayer.

It's time to pray. What will your response be?

Questions or comments? Write me at curt@smdcog.org.

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