*    A NOTE FROM PASTOR PHIL
 *    CONNECTING YOU TO  . . .
1.    TWIN CITIES: PRE-PRAYER IDEAS
2.    TOLEDO, OH
3.    MEMO TO OUR 790 PPGs...
4.    ATHENS, GA
5.    NEW ENGLAND
6.    CHARLOTTE, NC
7.    CENTRAL   FLORIDA
8.    SOUTHERN CA: HELLO PASTORS
9.    CALL TO FASTING & PRAYER
10.   CHICAGO & ILLINOIS
11.   A PASTOR'S EXHORTATION FOR NDP...
12.   CALIFORNIA
13.   GREATER LA
14.   NDP: 30,000 COORDINATORS & VOLUNTEERS
15.   TAMPA BAY, FL
        
Let us encourage one another daily
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

National Day of Prayer - Home Page    
    http://www.ndptf.org/ 

Nationally Broadcast Concert of Prayer
...a live national prayer meeting; a 3 hour, prime-time television, radio and internet simulcast.
    http://www.concertofprayer.org

Pastors' Who Pray In Your City:
   http://www.nppn.org/ppg/

National Concert of Prayer Daily Radio Broadcast
   http://www.nationalprayer.org

National Prayer Accord
A Nationwide Call To Prayer To The Church In America
    http://www.efca.org/accord

Urgent Appeal
An Urgent Appeal to Christian Leaders in America for Consensus and Collaboration
on the Biblical Nature and Hope of Corporate Revival
    http://www.urgentappeal.net

Prayer Books & Resources @ Discount
   http://www.nppn.org/Offers.htm

Subscribe To The NPPN:
   http://www.nppn.org/subscribe.htm
        (To Unsubscribe - See Bottom of This Message)

___________________________________________________>>>

 

>From: "Prayer Transformation Ministries" <PTM@prayertransformation.com>

As you think toward the National Day of Prayer -

1)    Pray for good weather for the activities at the Capitol – 11:30 am – 1:00 pm; Share the Light Youth rally – 1:30 – 2:30pm

2)   If you have home schoolers or a home school network, bring them along for a field trip

3)   Pray for many to catch the vision, especially in these times of God's people coming together to lift up His Name.

This  additional information regarding the Nationally Broadcast Concert of Prayer from Vicki Windfelt at Wooddale: We will be broadcasting the Nationally Broadcast Concert of Prayer [as we have each year from the beginning] in Rooms 274-276 at Wooddale Church; also we will be featuring Minnesota State Senator David Hann as our speaker at the Wooddale Prayer Breakfast.  This event starts at 6:45 a.m. and lasts until 8 a.m.; tickets are $10 and available at www.wooddale.org

Take advantage of National Day of Prayer events however you can. Let’s not let this opportunity slip by. Your servant in Christ, Steve Loopstra, Executive Director, Prayer Transformation Ministries
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2.    TOLEDO, OH
 

>From: SURFINGOHIO@cs.com

Heal Our Land gives believers in Christ of all ages and all denominations the opportunity to come together for a spectacular, spirit-filled evening of interactive prayer, music and fellowship. Held on the National Day of Prayer, this citywide celebration of prayer and faith will feature hundreds of choral singers, live musicians and more. The event is expected to draw in upwards of 10,000 people to downtown Toledo, rain or shine.

Families and individuals are welcome. Make plans to be there today. Admission is free. No passes or tickets required. For more details, contact us by phone at 419-872-7430 or e-mail to info@dawnprojects.org.

http://www.dawnprojects.org 

go to materials to check out our TV ad
User Name: HOL
Password: healourland
___________________________________________________>>>

 

Send us a 3 -5 sentence emessage explanation of how your PPG observed NDP.
What you did this year may give vision to others for next year.

Send your report to: phil@nppn.org

P.S. Is our contact information up t date on our web directory?
    http://www.nppn.org/ppg
___________________________________________________>>>
 

>From: "Cross Over Athens" <crossoverathens@integrity.com>
 
The 11th annual local observance of the National Day of Prayer
Thursday, May 1, at Noon
On the steps of the Athens/Clarke Co. Courthouse
325 East Washington St.

The National Anthem
    Dr. Stephanie Tingler (UGA School of Music)
Welcome and Opening Prayer
    Joseph Slife (Cross Over Athens)
Prayer for the Family
    Jon Deans (Athens Men's Ministry)
Prayer for the UGA community
    Dr. Stephanie Tingler (UGA School of Music)
Prayer for the Military / for Political Leaders
    Mark Fite (Chaplain, ret., U.S. Navy)
Prayer for Revival
    Rick Bonfim (international evangelist)
Closing Prayer / Invitation to Private Prayer
    Joseph Slife (Cross Over Athens)
___________________________________________________>>>
 

5.    NEW ENGLAND
 

>From: "New England Concerts of Prayer" <necp@necp.org>

REGIONAL NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER EVENTS – THURSDAY MAY 1, 2003

Massachusetts State House in Great Hall. The prayer event will be Thursday, May 1st, 2003 from 11AM until 1PM. The State House is located on the top of Beacon Hill in downtown Boston, just up from the Park Street T stop.

May 1 7pm @ the Wesley Church

May 2 7pm Wesley United Methodist 8 North St Salem, Ma 978-744-3113 or 978-744-1775

May 3 Everyone Gathering as a United Group Of Warrior Saints

9am Wesley United Methodist Church followed by a Prayer Walk

CORRECTION: Evening meeting at Pilgrim Church in Beverly, MA at 7 pm is May 1, not May 3.

CORRECTION #2: Evening meeting at Park Street Church is 7 pm.

The Nationally Broadcast Concert of Prayer 8-11 pm EDT is also an option for churches and groups. Check the website http://www.concertofprayer.org for instructions and information about participating.

The 10th Annual "Prayer Gathering" on the front lawn of the Rochester City Hall, 31 Wakefield Street in Rochester, NH will be held in observance of the National Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 1, 2003 from 12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.; with a special salute to all of our military troops serving around the world.

In the event of rain that day the "Prayer Gathering" will be held in the Chapel of Lighthouse Christian Academy located at 17 Heaton Street, two blocks east of the Blue Seal Feed Store off of Portland Street in Rochester, NH. For more information about the "Prayer Gathering" you may call Pastor Laren E. Whaley at 603 335-1151.

A Prayer Breakfast at Rita's Restaurant on Route 125 across from Cleary Cleaners in Rochester, NH at 6:00 a.m. This is a BYOB (buy your own breakfast) event. It should last until about 7:15 to 7:30 a.m. For more information you may call Pastor Dan Huggard at 603 332-0360.

A Community Prayer Service at the Walnut Grove Baptist Church, 1022 Salmon Falls Road in Rochester, NH at 6:30 p.m. This service should last about an hour. For more information you may call Pastor Dan Huggard at 603 332-0360.


Monday, April 28th at The Radisson Plymouth, Ma.
7pm ~ 8pm …. Fasting & Prayer Women's Gathering

Tuesday, April 29th at The Radisson Plymouth, Ma.
7pm ~ 8pm …. Fasting & Prayer Leaders Gathering

Wednesday, April 30th at Memorial Hall
6pm ~ 7 pm : Praise & Worship
7pm ~ 9pm : Regional Prayer Gathering ( Prayer for Nation & Church)

Thursday, May 1st at Plymouth Rock
12 Noon - National Day of Prayer

On Thursday, May 1st, Abington, MA is having a community prayer breakfast from 7 to 8 am with featured speaker, US Attorney Mike Sullivan Event will take place at Flame of Fire (formerly known as Glad Tidings Assembly of God). Tickets at $10 per person. The meal is catered.

Gordon College Student Prayer Initiative

April 23-May 2 are the dates set at Gordon College to fast and pray for New England. Each day of the fast we are hoping to pray into a different topic. The topics are as follows:
April 23-Preparing our hearts to pray, and asking God to search us personally, cleanse us from our sin and purify us to pray.
April 24- Asking God to fill us with his compassion and break us for the people and region of New England.
April 25- Asking God to break the strongholds of intellectualism that keep so many people from believing in a God they can't 'prove.'
April 26- Praying for the colleges of New England, that God would begin to stir in the hearts of college age students
April 27- Praying for the High Schools of New England, that high school would be a time that students commit themselves to God.
April 28- Praying for the families of New England, that God would use the family systems to let His truth be passed from generation to generation
April 29- Asking God to move within the government of New England, that he would use them as his instruments.
April 30- Pray that the 'traditional' spirit of New England would not reduce God to mere tradition.
May 1- Pray that God would gently convict the lives of his people and that conviction would lead them to repentance and to Jesus.
May 2-Finally, pray for the general revival we wish to see take place in New England.

In all of these things we pray for revival!
Check our website: http://www.necp.org
E-mail: necp@necp.org
___________________________________________________>>>

 

>From: "Metrolina PrayerLetter" <prayer@metrolinaprayer.net>
 
Please plan to encourage and promote PRAYER this Sunday and next week in preparation for the National Day of Prayer.  Challenge yourself and others to find places to join with others in intercession for our communities, our cities, our nation.
 
If you can, please plan to join us for the gathering at the Government Center Plaza at noon on May 1.  Our theme for this gathering is: "Trusting God in Prayer for Homeland Security."  This annual gathering will include music, Scripture, focused prayer times led by area pastors and civic leaders.

Location: outdoors at 600 E. 4th Street in uptown Charlotte.  Parking is available on the streets, and some behind First Baptist Church.
 
To learn about this and other events in our area, please go to our website, where we have a listing of opportunities posted:
    http://metrolinaprayer.net/metroprayer/index1024.cfm
 
Join your heart with the hearts of other believers as we unite to pray on May 1!
For Christ and His Kingdom in Metrolina, Bob Lowman
Metrolina Prayer Network, 1101 South Blvd, Suite 102, Charlotte, NC 28203
Office: 704.377.9953  ~  Cel: 704.737.7770   ~   Pager: 704.505.3642
___________________________________________________>>>

 

>From: praycf@juno.com

Greetings in the name of the Lord. The National Day of Prayer (NDP) is Thursday May 1st. Various prayer events are being planned around the area. The largest local event will be a Citywide Transformational Prayer Gathering led by many local pastors. It will be at 7:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Orlando, Main Sanctuary. If you are planning a NDP event please notify Pam (Florida NDP coordinator) at fpn@floridaprayer.org or enter it on the Florida Prayer Network web site - www.floridaprayer.org. Check their web site for the latest event listings by county. Additionally, there will be a Nationally Broadcast Concert of Prayer from 8-11 PM (EDT) www.concertofprayer.org <http://rd.bcentral.com/?ID=757172&amp;s=5913893> . Also, the 3rd Annual Greater Orlando Christian Film Festival runs May 7th – May 14th at the Winter Park Village 20. Please pray (over 600 decisions last year), volunteer (counselor, usher, etc.) and give. Info meetings are April 29 – May 2. Call 407-262-2662 or www.christianfilmfestival.org/orlando.php.
 
National Day of Prayer (May 1st) Events (as of April 27th):

Apopka - Community-wide Prayer Rally. Location: Front Steps of City Hall. Time: Noon.
Contact: Shirley Sharp Terrell 407-886-7733

Ocoee - Community-wide Prayer Rally. Location: Gazebo next to the Ocoee City Hall Complex
Time: Noon – 1:00 pm. Contact: Judy Chedwick 407-877-6025

Orlando - Citywide Transformation Prayer Gathering. Location: First Baptist Church of Orlando, Main Sanctuary. LB Mcleod Rd. Time: 7:00 pm. Contact: Vision Orlando at 407-826-2605, www.visionorlando.org/prayer.htm.

Orlando - Haitian Community-Wide Prayer Rally. Location: Powers Drive Baptist Church.
3311 N. Powers Dr. Time: 7:30 – 10:00 p.m. Keynote Speaker: Dr. Joseph Cely.
Contact: Dr. Joseph Cely 407-648-9269

Altamonte Springs - Community-wide Prayer Service. Location: Family Christian Store
515 E. Altamote Dr. Suite 1005. Time: 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. & Noon
Contact: Rev. Jeanine Brown 407-831-1500

Lake Mary – Prayer Breakfast. Location: Seminole County YMCA, 665 Longwood-Lake Mary Road. Time: 7am until 8:30am.  The City of Lake Mary, in partnership with the Seminole Family YMCA and many area churches, invites you to join us as we honor our country, the State of Florida, our community, and all of its wonderful leaders. This exciting event will begin with inspiring welcoming remarks from several area government and civic leaders. The highlight of the event will be a concert of prayer for our nation, our state, our community and its leaders by several area pastors! Contact Mark Patterson, vols7375@juno.com, 386-574-9715 or 407-708-6170.

Casselberry - prayer breakfast. Location: Community United Methodist Church.
Time: 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. For info call 407-831-3777.

Oviedo - Community-wide Prayer Rally
Location: Oviedo City Hall on Alexandria Street, just east of Alafaya trail
Time: 7:30 a.m. Contact: Carol Wilde 407-977-3869

Oviedo - Prayer Breakfast
Location: Holiday Inn Select across from the University of Central Florida
Time: 8:00 a.m. Contact: Deborah Martin 407-971-8890. Ticketed Event - $12.50 per person

St. Cloud - Community-wide Day of Prayer Rally. Location: Bandshell, Veterans Park   Hwy 192
Time: 6:00 am – 8:30 pm. Contact: Bertha Chase 407-892-2965

Ongoing Prayer Themes - please include some of these when you pray for the city -

Wisdom and blessing for our president and other national, state and local elected officials
Unity of the Body of Christ and purity in the Body and in relationships between leaders
Pastors to pray together and lead their churches into praying with other churches
Vision Orlando, Faith Foundation, Rise Up! Sanford, Space Coast Prayer Network and Deland pastors
God's redemptive purposes to be fulfilled in Central Florida
The scourge of abortion to be removed
Christians to tithe and give offerings so “the devourer” will be rebuked in our city
Greater revelation of the Apostolic and God’s government to increase in our city
Homeland security  

An E-mail version of this newsletter (with more stuff!) is also available - send me an E-mail to sign up.  See this newsletter on the web at www.christiansnet.com/praycf/praycf.htm.
George Kern, 712 Florida Blvd, Altamonte Spgs, FL 32701, 407-331-9577, E-mail praycf@juno.com   -    PRAY   CENTRAL   FLORIDA
___________________________________________________>>>

 

>From: Worldforjesus@aol.com

MAYORS PRAYER BREAKFAST IN COVINA - May 1 at 7:15 a.m.
Dave Truax and the Pastors Network of Covina will be hosting the 4th Annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast at the Embassy Suites Hotel - Blakes Restaurant.  Special guest will be Mr. Walt Allen, New Mayor of Covina!  Invite a friend and you all come! A special offering will be received to cover the cost of the breakfast!

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER - MAY 1 AT 12:00 NOON
Citizens all across America will be gathering on the steps of city hall to spend a few moments in prayer for this nation, our President and leaders, and for cities and communities.  
___________________________________________________>>>

 

>From: "Naomi A. Frizzell" <nfrizzell@bellsouth.net>

Mission America Coalition joins Congressional Call for Fasting & Prayer

May 1, 2003 designated a day of gratitude, fasting & prayer

Palm Desert, CA (4/28/03)— Thursday’s National Day of Prayer (May 1) will take on new meaning this year for thousands who will also participate in a special call to prayer and fasting. The Mission America Coalition (MAC) along with MAC partners, The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), the National Prayer Committee, the National Day of Prayer Task Force and the Nationally Broadcast Concert of Prayer have agreed to respond to the Congressional Call for a Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer on May 1, in coordination with National Day of Prayer activities and the Nationally Broadcast Concert of Prayer.

In the aftermath of the war in Iraq, Rev. Wayne Pederson, president of MAC, believes there is much for which to thank God. "God was so gracious to protect and direct our efforts in Iraq," he says adding, "We as a nation fasted and prayed before the conflict. It's appropriate now that in humility, we fast and thank God for His hand in the defeat of evil." Dr. Ted Haggard, president of the NAE, says because Congress called America to a day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer in the early stages of the Iraqi War, they have decided to call this day, "The National Day of Prayer: A Day of Gratitude, Fasting and Prayer."

Haggard says in addition to the traditional Christian disciplines of fasting and prayer, the day will emphasize gratitude in celebrating the forgiveness and victory found in a personal relationship with Christ, "thanking God for the minimal loss of life in removing Saddam Hussein from power and for the freedom the Iraqi people now have to form their own government." Pederson also believes the day offers a wonderful opportunity for Christians to join this nationwide call to humility, fasting and prayer and "experience God in a new way through this initiative."

The Presidential Prayer Team has written a guide for churches and organizations to use in recognition of the National Day of Prayer. The guide and the congressional call can be downloaded from http://www.presidentialprayerteam.org.

MAC is an unprecedented cooperative effort of some 500 national Christian leaders who have prayerfully come together to help unite Christians for prayer, evangelism and revival. NAE is comprised of churches from 50 member denominations and individual churches from an additional 27 denominations, as well as several hundred independent churches and 250 parachurch ministries and educational institutions. MAC and NAE recently announced a strategic alliance focused on evangelism.

Media Note:  To schedule an interview with Wayne Pederson, please contact Naomi Frizzell at 904.262.5202.
Naomi A. Frizzell, Director of Communications
Mission America Coalition and The Lighthouse Movement
    http://www.missionamerica.org
    http://www.lighthousemovement.com
    http://www.cityreaching.com
    http://www.larrylighthouse.com
___________________________________________________>>>

 

>From: CGDunne@aol.com

The day is quickly approaching and I have an exhortation for you.  I keep thinking about Minister Farrakhan a few years back putting a call out to all Muslims to take a certain day off work to come pray for the day. Over a million did so.  I would like to suggest that YOU take the day off and come pray for our nation this Thursday.

I would like to ask you to pray for all those people coordinating events throughout the state. There are many. I got a note today from the coordinator in Stephenson County. She has a county that has seen the light. the MAYOR of one of their towns convenes a prayer luncheon every month. The business leaders come around him and they pray for his concerns and the needs of the city and county.  NOW THAT IS VISION.

God is doing great things around the state and we are excited to see what He wants to Birth on Thursday, May 1.  
    Chicagoland - We  will be meeting in Millennium Park which is at Monroe and Michigan from 11:30 thru 1:30. I would love to see some spontaneous prayer walking done around the city. Would love to send teams onto Michigan ave with buttons that say I am here to pray for you May I?  but I can't do any of that with 10 or 12 people.  So please start asking God if you are to join us and if you hear His voice obey.
    The best place to park if you are coming is the Grant Park garage. Because it is owned by the Park District it is not as expensive as parking in private lots.  There are very FEW tickets left for the prayer breakfast. Please pray for General Van Antwerp who will be sharing his testimony. Pray that those who don't know Christ will find Him this Thursday.  Pray for God to be honored and glorified in the details as well as the prayers and talking. Pray for a spirit of love to permeate the University Club from 7:30 - 9:00 and that they would be blessed by our presence.

For information on how to pray and who to pray for, check our website. You will also find a list of events I have been told about at the website listed by county first then town/city. A great prayer tool...not to mention the prayer calendar for our leaders in the state.  NDPIL.com http://www.ndpil.com

Thank you all for your prayers...please put the call out to your church, your intercessors and your friends to come to Grant park and pray with us.  Blessings and Peace, Claudia Dunne , IL NDP State Coordinator
___________________________________________________>>>

11.    A PASTOR'S EXHORTATION FOR NDP...
<From: <RiverofLifeMailer@InChristsImage.org>
>By: Pastor Francis Frangipane

You will remember we notified you of a resolution that had passed both the US Senate and House a month ago (see email dated 3/28/03 "National Day of Prayer and Fasting"). The resolution calls for a national day of prayer and fasting, where we ask the Lord to examine our hearts and where we present ourselves in repentance before Him. This resolution has recently been signed by the President and is being coordinated with the National Day of Prayer this coming Thursday, May 1, 2003. Please urge everyone you know to participate in this special time of turning to the Lord. Amazingly, on this same day, millions of African Christians will be joining us in this prayer quest.

Dear Ones, this could be a very significant time. In every example of revival in the Old Testament, that which changed the nation always emerged from the king's office of authority. When the secular leaders of a nation turned to the Lord, revival always followed. This was true not only in Israel, but in the gentile city of Ninevah. Let us join in heartfelt participation in this amazing time of grace!

God bless you my friends, Francis Frangipane
___________________________________________________>>>

 

>From: "Delilah Clark" <cwimcorp@earthlink.net>

California National Day of Prayer
    http://www.candp.org

Regional links for Northern, Central and Southern at the top of the page.
 
The Billy Graham Mission coming up sparked prayer in San Diego.  NDP Church listings for May 1, 2003.  Log on to:
    http://www.sandiegonationaldayofprayer.org
___________________________________________________>>>

 

>From: Pastor Elmer Jackson <prayunceasingly@juno.com>

Pastor Bill Turner -
I believe in the unity of the Pastors coming together for prayer and fellowship with one another.  The Bible in Psalms 133 said "How good and pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity"  II Chronicles said "If my people called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, I will restore their land".

I was praying with Love L.A. and that was a good thing; now at City Watch which is also good.  I have met many great Pastors and acquired friendships in fellowship.  Here in Baldwin Park, we have a Pastor's Fellowship which meets every Monday morning for prayer; it includes several pastors from Baldwin Park, others from Whittier, Pasadena, Pomona and El Monte.  Our unity is such that we have become good friends and like brothers.  At times, we have exchanged pulpits with one another.

When one Pastor is hurting or in need of finances, we all come to meet the need.  Another fellowship I belong to is the Pastor's Network in Covina.  We meet every third Thursday of the month for lunch.  The unity and love we have for one another cannot be beat.  The help and resources that we get from one another, you can't beat.

Jesus is Lord, Pastor Elmer Jackson, Christ Extended Hand

I believe it is time for pastors and leaders in Greater LA. to, once again gather in unity to pray for the church and the welfare of our city.

City Watch LA, Thursday Evening, May 8th 2003, 7pm – 9:15pm
First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood
Henrietta Mears Auditorium
Off the 101 fwy south off at Gower.
The church is on the corner of Carlos and Gower.
http://www.CityWatchLA.org                                (626) 296-7605
___________________________________________________>>>

14.        NDP: 30,000 COORDINATORS & VOLUNTEERS
>From: "ANS Story" <ANS_Story@sheperd.com>
>By: Jeremy Reynalds, Special Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO  (ANS) -- The tragedy of 9/11 catapulted many people into an instantaneous realization of the brevity of life and the immanence of eternity. After losing loved ones and colleagues with no warning, and jobs almost as quickly, formerly self- sufficient people who hadn’t spent much time thinking about God or the meaning of life suddenly found themselves pondering both. Complacency went out the window and a realization of a need for God took its place.

Sadly, researchers say it appears that felt need for God didn’t last very long and prayer quickly dropped back to where it was a few weeks before the attack. In other words, we returned to our normal habit of only praying when we need to get out of a crisis. You know the sort of prayers. They range from, “Oh God, you get me out of this I’ll go to church every week,” to “God, if you heal my wife I’ll serve you forever.” As Calvary of Albuquerque’s Pastor Skip Heitzig has said on a number of occasions, it appears that while the “commitment” to God was a mile wide it was only about an inch deep.

If you think that doesn’t even come remotely close to describing you (or me), are you sure? Sometimes even as Christian believers we tend to tend to forget our need for a moment-by-moment dependence on God. We fail to ask God what plans He has for us. We just run to Him when we need His help in getting out of a mess that we’ve caused by not listening to God in the first place. Many times we consider prayer an activity of last resort. We plan, scheme and strategize ad nauseam and it’s only when things totally fall apart that we say, “I guess I’d better pray.”

So with that in mind and perhaps to help us turn over that proverbial new leaf, the 52nd Annual National Day of Prayer (NDP) is just around the corner – on Thursday May 1. It’s beyond doubt that we still need to pray. While the horrors of 9/11 may have faded from the minds of some, things are not getting any better.

As Shirley Dobson, Chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, said recently, “This is a tumultuous time in American history. We are at war with Iraq, corporate corruption has grabbed the headlines, thousands of people are out of work, families are struggling to stay together and we daily live under the threat of terrorism. Where can we turn to for help other than God?”

She added, “We are in desperate need of the Lord. But, how can we arrogantly ask for His blessings and wisdom when we live contrary to God’s standard of righteous living? It is imperative to understand that our survival and well-being as a nation rests solely on our willingness to live according to His purpose.”

This year’s theme, “Righteousness Exalts A Nation,” is based on the text of Proverbs 14:34, “Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a disgrace to any people.” The Task Force is asking people wherever they are at noon to pray the “Prayer for the Nation” as a sign of unity before God. Honorary Chairman Dr. Luis Palau authored this year's prayer, which conveys the message of the theme.

According to the National Day of Prayer, <http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/media/press2003a.cfm> ) over 30,000 coordinators and volunteers will organize prayer observances in all 50 states, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Most events will take place in public venues and incorporate the “Prayer for the Nation.” Dobson expressed the importance of Americans openly uniting in religious expression to both to show America's dependence on God and also to exercise our First Amendment rights.

If you’re wondering exactly what the National Day of Prayer is all about, the NDP was signed into law as an annual event by President Truman in 1952. Former President Ronald Reagan signed an amendment to that law in 1988 which established the first Thursday of May each year as being a National Day of Prayer. However, days of prayer have been called for since 1775 when the Continental Congress mandated some time to be set aside for prayer for the forming of a new nation.

According to material on the NDP web site, the NDP Task Force “concentrates on the need to pray for the well-being of America and for those in leadership on all levels of national, church and educational areas of influence.”

Now I suspect that there may be a few of you out there who are beginning to fret. You’re concerned that this is governmental support of the religious right. Don’t worry. The National Day of Prayer is not a political event.

As the NDP Task Force says in its promotional material, “The NDP as mandated by our government belongs to all Americans. It is not sponsored or owned by any one group. Every American can observe the NDP in his or her own way. Each year, the President issues a proclamation in support of this significant day.”

With routine unrighteousness running rampant in our nation, it should be more apparent than ever that we need the National Day of Prayer. The need for righteousness is a very timely theme to help remind us as a nation to turn our hearts back toward the Lord.

To help expand on that theme, international evangelist Luis Palau has written a prayer that NDP organizers are asking people to read nationally on Thursday May 2 at 12:00 midday. Titled “Prayer for America, it reads:

“Our Father and our God, we thank you for the many blessings You have poured out on America and we praise You for Your mercy. You have said: ‘Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.’ We confess, O Lord, our national and personal sins. We repent and ask forgiveness for all actions that dishonor You. O God, bless our President and other leaders. Provide them with wisdom and move them to honor You. Deliver this great nation from all our enemies as we recommit ourselves to trust, serve and obey Your commands. We pray in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.”

If we are to every successfully combat not only international and national problems but local issues as well, all of us need to take the words of Palau’s to heart and realize that a confession and relinquishing of sin is the only hope that our nation has as we press on in these tumultuous times.

ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 2126, Garden Grove, CA 92842-2126 USA
E-mail: assistcomm@cs.com,  Web Site: http://www.assistnews.net
Click here for your own subscription to Assist News. <http://sheperd.com/assist/us/subscribe.htm> 
If you no longer wish to receive Assist News via e-mail, click here to unsubscribe <http://sheperd.com/assist/us/unsubscribe.htm>
___________________________________________________>>>

 

>From: Prayusasf@aol.com

Come join fellow Christians of the Tampa Bay Area in prayer and unity!  Pastors from the Bay Area will be leading this evening of worship, prayer and praise beginning at 7:00 PM.  City and County Officials are invited to represent our local government.

For information, contact Area Coordinators of The National Day of Prayer; Bill and Pam Malone, Directors of Pray U.S.A.!, 727-524-7729.

Other planned events on this National Official Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 1st.

Prayer Marathon (A different pastor each half hour)   Pastor Joe Brown    Clearwater
>From Noon until 7:00 PM       Royalty Theatre, 405 Cleveland St.      727-524-7729

Youth Pastors Lunch                Jose Barreda                        Tampa
Capdevila’s La Teresita Restaurant          11:00 AM – 1:00 PM            813-963-6770

Tarpon Springs High School Stadium    Linda Cummings        Tarpon Springs
Worship and Prayer                 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM                         727-938-1659

Prayer on Motorcycles             Christian Motorcycle Association        Pinellas Park

Prayer in the Air                    Jerry Brandt                            Tampa
Planes flying over the Bay Area with people praying in them.                813-598-6130

Prayer in Boats                    Bruce Watters                         St. Petersburg
Boats going out during the day with people praying in them.                 727-896-6661

Prayer on the Streets                Bill & Lynette Dinehart         Tampa
Praying for people on the streets.                                                   813-727-0277

Pregnancy Centers of Pinellas County    Sol Pitchon             Pinellas County
Prayer from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Pinellas Park, St. Petersburg, Palm Harbor)  
                                                                            727-545-1234
Tampa City Hall                    Linda Green                            Tampa
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Prayer with community leaders.                          813-655-4311

St. Petersburg City Hall                Pastor Ron Fluker            St. Petersburg
Noon prayer with City Leaders                                                           727-894-5315

Gateway Christian Center            Pastor Don Evans              Tampa
Prayer from 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM with breakfast at 8:00 AM                 813-961-4692

House of Prayer for All Nations        Sue Carter                     Largo
Prayer and worship all day 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM                                   727-595-2034

Visit our web site:   http://www.letsprayusa.org
The  National  Day  of  Prayer
Tampa Bay Area Evening Prayer Service to be held at:
    The Royalty Theatre
    405 Cleveland Street, Downtown Clearwater
    Thursday, May 1, 2003      7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

(Directions: From Tampa, cross the Courtney Campbell Causeway and continue straight on Gulf to Bay Blvd.  Follow Hwy 60 sign to Downtown/Clearwater Beach.  You will go through an ‘S’ turn and the street changes its name to Cleveland.  The Theatre will be on your left.)

 

Ideas that you may incorporate!
 

   Schedule a time of prayer in your workplace  
    Prayerwalk your neighborhood  
    Have friends over for a coffee or tea time of prayer  
    Drive-by-Prayer   (Wherever you drive that day, pray for the area that you are passing through)
    Pray in Nursing Homes and Hospitals
    Prayer will be going on in the prisons    
    Pray for the Armed Forces    
    Pray for our government officials  
    Pray for our educational system   
    Pray for our nation, the world situation and that all the nations of the world will come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior!
    Call people on the telephone and pray with them

“Tampa Bay Area, let’s rally the troops”!
Saturate with Prayer…Land, Sea and Air!
Pray and fast, like you never have before!   Now is the time….This is the place!
PLEASE OPEN YOUR CHURCHES AND PRAYER ROOMS!!

There is POWER in unity and corporate prayer.  Please join together with your brothers and sisters in Christ on this National Day of Prayer, May 1, 2003.
God’s promise to us….“If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  II Chronicles 7:14

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Let us encourage one another daily... (Heb. 10:25)
>From: Karenupm@aol.com

Dear Pastors & Leaders,  As the National Day of Prayer approaches, let us purpose our hearts to build up one another in faith, exalt the Name of JESUS, pray without ceasing, & share the Love of God that our effectual, fervent prayer may be: "Lord, Make us a Community of Faith, a House of Prayer, & Vessels of Love for Your Glory! Hallelujah - Amen!"  Blessings, Thanksgiving, & Prayers,  Pastor Karen, Unveiled Prayer Mins. (Phil. 1:3-6; Philemon 4-7)