National  Pastors'  Prayer  Network
   
S T R A T E G I C   P R A Y E R:
I D E A S   &   I N I T I A  T I  V  E S
             02/24/2004

    ...Finding New Ways To Connect In Prayer

Church Prayer Leader?
   http://www.prayerleader.com

Citywide Prayer Leader?
   http://www.nppn.org    }scroll toward bottom{

   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
    I N   T H I S   U P D A T E
      ...and for our prayers:

*       Pastor Phil's Prayer Letter

1.    PRAY FOR "THE PASSION"

2.    CREATIVE USES OF THE
    
SEEK GOD FOR THE CITY PRAYER GUIDE
3.    THE IMAGINE CONFERENCE
4.    INTERNET'S POWERFUL OUTREACH
    
40,000 RESPOND @ LIVEPRAYER.COM
5.    CORPORATE PRAYER. SOLO OR SYMPHONY?
6.    STAND IN THE GAP FOR PRODIGALS
7.    STRATEGIC PRAYER FOR PRISONS
8.    STRATEGIC PRAYER FOR PASTORS
9.    A BILLY GRAHAM CALL TO PRAYER
10.    
PrayWORLD! 2004    SPECIAL COMMUNIQUÉ
   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

*    PASTOR PHIL'S PRAYER LETTER

May I encourage you to pray for those who serve you by traveling across the country to preach at conferences, teach workshops or facilitate prayer?  Having lost five days at Thanksgiving ("flu") and six days in early February (100 to 102 degree fever) to "bugs" I probably caught while traveling, makes me acutely aware of the risks our leaders face when they travel to a conference.

I certainly enjoy this privilege and the opportunities and new relationships that it provides ... but modern travel has its downside! As you read a special author's book or listen to their tape or see them scheduled for a certain city or conference, take a moment to pray for their safety and health both during and after!

Pastor Phil
___________________________________________>>>

1.    PRAY FOR "THE PASSION"

Receive email updates for your weeknight prayer meeting or prayer teams:
    http://www.pray4passion.org

The official movie website:
    http://www.ThePassionOfThe Christ.com

Church Resources
    http://www.ThePassionOutreach.com

Evangelism Resources
    http://www.ThePassionToolbox.com

Special Scripture Editions
    http://www.IBSDirect.com

 

Prayer Strategies
 

PTM@prayertransformation.com
http://www.prayertransformation.com/
   Prior to the release of the film, prayer walk the theaters in your area. Ask God to bless and protect the showing of the movie.
    Prayer walk (or drive) your neighborhood, asking God to “compel” your neighbors to see the movie.
    Pray about how God might connect you with neighbors and coworkers in meaningful discussion about the movie.
    Attend the film during the first opening days. As you watch the film, pray for those seated around you. Arrive early and silently pray around and in the theater.
    If there are protesters, pray God’s blessing on them. Pray for the media, that the coverage will be fair and balanced.
    Invite others to join you in viewing the movie, especially those who may be unchurched. Pray for clear understanding of the gospel message.
    During the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday, use the Seek God for the City daily prayer guide with your family and other small group  settings. Pray through the guide, asking God to bring transformation to  your community.
    During the 40 days, choose a means of fasting—perhaps a meal a day, a full day of fasting each week, or fasting from certain foods or activities. Ask God to use The Passion of the Christ to bring many into His Kingdom.
    Engage your church for a day or half day of prayer and fasting during the 40 days.
    Send a story about what your church is doing in prayer and outreach for posting on the Prayer Transformation Ministries website. Send an e-mail to PTM@prayertransformation.com
___________________________________________>>>

2.    CREATIVE USES OF THE
    SEEK GOD FOR THE CITY PRAYER GUIDE

Seek God For The City helps everyday believers find their own words to express God's heart for the people of their communities, with prayers that are fresh, relevant and based on biblical promise.  

You’ll find practical ways to pray for people in every part of your city. Unite your church family in prayer with believers throughout your city and the world. Format: 64-pages 8 1/2 by 5 1/2 inches. $3.00 each with significant quantity discounts for easy distribution throughout your city or church family.

Follows and expands the same prayer calendar as PrayWORLD! 2004, helping you join your prayers with many thousands of people all over the world. Together we will be praying for a global spiritual awakening for the fullest advance of the Gospel in every people and place.

Seek God For The City teaches church members to pray with:
    Scriptural prayers
    Hope-filled themes
    People focused; pray for a specific group of people
    Prayerwalking ideas
    International in scope; pry for countries of the world

While designed and timed for Lenten prayers, this prayer guide may be utilized in a variety of ways throughout the year with:
    *Small Groups
    *Lighthouses
    *Sunday School Classes
    *Intercessor Prayer Teams
    *Weeknight Prayer Meetings

Adapt this Prayer Guide:
    -Use one “day” of the guide for 40 weekly meetings
    -Utilize each section of the “day” as a format for your prayer focus
    -Coordinate themes with a Sunday sermon series
    -Select one of the weekly themes as the focus of a special prayer
     gathering (Concert of Prayer, Prayer Vigil)
    -Use the prayer guide as the basis for a Prayer Retreat
 
Special Resources:
    How to Mobilize Your Congregation
    Children’s Version
        “How To Use Seek God For The City With Children”
        Print weekly guides for children and families
    Spanish Version
       Seek God For The City 2004 - ¡en español!
   PrayWOLRD!
       Ideas for international mobilization
        Download one-page version of the prayer guide
    Coordinate with Sunday’s Sermon
        Message ideas, background details, preaching outlines
    Promotional Resources
       Bulletin Inserts, Signs
        Images of the cover for newsletters and websites
        Purchase & Distribution Hints

Contact: info@waymakers.org    www.waymakers.org
___________________________________________>>>

3.    THE IMAGINE CONFERENCE

The Imagine Conference “gave me much more to think over and to 'chew on'. It also gave me more of a passion for prayer-always seeking for personal renewal first."
    Ann Wong, Chinese Baptist Church, San Jose, CA

Imagine Conference Schedule
March 18—20,  2004, Sacramento, California

 

Thursday, March 18
 

4:00PM -  7:00PM: Registration
4:30PM –  6:15PM: “Open House Style” Dinner
6:30PM –  8:45PM: Welcome and Fresh Encounter (led by Pastor Daniel Henderson)
9:00PM Reception and late registration.

 

Friday, March 19
 

Morning
7:00AM: Registration/Continental Breakfast
8:00AM – 9:45AM: Main Session I (Jennifer Kennedy Dean)
9:45AM – 10:15AM: Break
10:15AM – 11:30AM: Workshops
11:45AM –   1:15PM: Lunch

Afternoon
1:30PM – 2:45PM: Workshops
2:45PM – 3:15PM: Break
3:15PM – 5:00PM: Main Session II (Jon Graf))
5:15PM – 6:45PM: Dinner

Evening
6:45PM – 7:30PM: Prayer and Fellowship
7:30PM – 9:30PM: Table of Grace (Communion Service, Prayer Encounter Style)
Emerging Generation Worship

 

Saturday, March 20
 

Morning
7:00AM  Registration/Continental Breakfast
8:00AM – 9:45AM Main Session III (David Bryant)
9:45AM – 10:15AM: Break
10:15AM – 11:30AM: Workshops
11:45AM – 1:15PM: Lunch
                         
 

Afternoon
 

1:30PM – 2:45PM: Workshops
2:45PM – 3:15PM: Break
3:15PM – 5:00PM: Main Session IV (Final session – Denny Henderson)


10 Workshop Tracks*

1.    The Praying Pastor I - For pastors attending the conference for the first time. Designed to motivate and equip a pastor to return to his church with a strong foundation and solid vision for motivating his people and leadership to make the church a "House of Prayer".
*    This track included the following workshops:
*    "Discover the Praying Life"
 Led by Jennifer Kennedy Dean
*    "Pastor's Role"
 Led by Dennis Henderson
*    "10 Myths"
 Led by Daniel Henderson
*    "Role of the Church Board"
 Led by Russ Knight & Frank DeLange
*    Workshop audio sample:
 
2.    The Praying Pastor II - Designed with the "returning" pastor in mind. Targets the issues of long-term motivation in prayer, reproducing leaders and honing the necessary skills to take your church to the next level.
*    This track includes the following workshops:
*    "Reproducing Leaders"
 Led by Daniel Henderson
*    "Five Fold Strategy"
 Led by Daniel Henderson
*    "A Vision for Christ"
 Led by David Bryant
*    "Pastor's Panel"
 Led by Phil Miglioratti, Daniel Henderson, Dennis Fuqua & Fred Wilson

3.    The Praying Church - For the average church to become a praying church, several key building blocks must be in place. With lay leaders in mind, special emphasis will be given to the key factors for motivating men and women with a passion for worship-based prayer and a commitment to strategic intercession.
*    This track includes the following workshops:
*     Choice of:
1.    "Teaching Women to Pray"
 Led by Alice Moss
2.    "Teaching Men to Pray"
 Led by Joe Walsh
*    "Implementing a Prayer Ministry in Your Church"
 Led by Fred Wilson
*    "A Vision for Christ:
 Led by David Bryant
*    "Intercession During Services"
 Led by Joe Walsh
*    2003 Workshop audio sample:
 
4.    The Prayer Leader - You can become a prayer leader! This track will give you the tools and motivation to develop a personal vision and skills to help lead a movement of prayer in your congregation. Creative ideas for prayer and a long-term commitment to serve will be emphasized in this track.
*    This track includes the following workshops:
*    "Discover the Praying Life"
 Led by Jennifer Kennedy Dean
*    "Growing a Prayer Driven Church"
 Led by Phil Miglioratti
*    "Developing Prayer Strategy"
 Led by Jonathan Graf
*    "Dynamic Prayer Meetings"
 Led by Phil Miglioratti

5.    The Praying Life - What makes for an effective personal prayer life? How can you sustain a consistent passion for Christ? This track will be targeted to the believer with a desire to develop personal prayer as a way of life.
*    This track includes the following workshops:
*    "Discover the Praying Life"
 Led by Jennifer Kennedy Dean
*    "Re-discovering Fasting"
 Led by Jonathan Graf
*    "Power in the Name"
 Led by Jennifer Kennedy Dean
*    "Power of the Blood"
 Led by Jennifer Kennedy Dean

6.    Prayer Beyond the Walls - What is the connection between prayer and effective evangelism? How can you keep a balance between a depth in prayer and a passion for the lost? These workshops will equip you to find the proper relationship between prayer and outreach, resulting in maximum spiritual impact in your community.
*    This track includes the following workshops:
*    "Balance Prayer & Evangelism"
 Led by Dennis Henderson
*    "Motivating Prayer for Government Leaders"
 Led by Gary Link
*    "A Vision for Christ"
 Led by David Bryant
*    "Praying for Your Community"
 Led by Dennis Henderson

7.    Emerging Generations I - New generations look for fresh forms to express their deep passion for Jesus. In a day when many "twenty-somethings" have given up on the church and a Christ-centered faith, this track stands out as a strong dose of hope and practical help in mobilizing the younger generation to seek the face of God.
*    This track includes the following workshops:
*    "Culture of Conviction"
 Led by Denny Henderson & Will Pavone
*    "Postmoderns Passion"
 Led by Denny Henderson
*    "A Vision for Christ"
 Led by David Bryant
*    "Theology of Worship"
 Led by Denny Henderson, Will Pavone, & Kirk
Whitworth

8.    Emerging Generations II - If you understand the unique needs and interests of the young people in your congregation and then teach them to grow in their desire to pray, they can become a force in your church. Learn from local church practitioners as they discuss the attitude and art of teaching the younger ones to pray.
*    This track includes the following workshops:
*    "Discover the Praying Life"
 Led by Jennifer Kennedy Dean
*    "Motivating Children to Pray I"
 Led Cherie Masterson
*    "Motivating Children to Pray II"
 Led Cherie Masterson
*    "Motivating Teens to Pray"
 Led by Tom Ramsay
*    2003 Workshop audio sample:
 
9.    The Local Church Prayer Summit - Every year, thousands of pastors gather in all parts of the world for "3 1/2 day prayer summits". This unique prayer movement is now beginning to take hold as a fresh form of prayer in local congregations. Find out why and how you can implement this powerful prayer experience in your congregation in order to facilitate a profound renewal among your people.
*    This track includes the following workshops:
*    "Vision and Process"
 Led by Dennis Fuqua
*    "Preparing for a Prayer Summit"
 Led by Connie Acker
*    "A Vision for Christ"
 Led by David Bryant
*    "Facilitating a Prayer Summit" Panel
 Led by panel members

10.    The Worship Track - Worship and prayer have a powerful relationship and profound impact when properly understood. This track is for anyone who participates in worship ministry in the local church and is designed to equip, educate and motivate you to capture the heart of worship and a passion for prayer as key ingredients for congregational vibrancy.
*    This track includes the following workshops:
*    "Power of Worship Based Prayer"
 Led by Frank Eaton
*    "Shepherding Your Worship Department"
 Led by Kevin Hofer
*    "A Vision for Christ"
 Led by David Bryant
*    "Taking Your Worship Ministry Cross-Culturally" 
 Led by Frank Eaton

"The Imagine Conference changed and is changing the life and blood of our church. It was so refreshing to see the church being the church not just in the area of prayer but in the practical functioning of fellowship of the body of Christ."
    Chris Williams, Harvest Fellowship Church, Oakland, CA

To Register
http://www.strategicrenewal.com/imagine2004/
   
___________________________________________>>>

4.    INTERNET'S POWERFUL OUTREACH
    40,000 RESPOND @ LIVEPRAYER.COM
>From: "ASSIST News" <assistnews@adelphia.net>
>By: Stefan J. Bos
>At:  www.assistnews.net <http://www.assistnews.net/>

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY  (ANS) -- Over 40,000 people from around the globe have become born-again Christians through Liveprayer.Com an America based internet ministry, its founder said Tuesday, Dec. 23.

"I am most grateful for over 10,000 people that we know of who accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior in 2003, bringing the total to over 40,000 since we started Liveprayer," about four years ago, said preacher Bill Keller in an e-mail message received by the ASSIST News Service (ANS) Budapest Bureau.

In addition Keller is "grateful that we now have over 1,000,000 praise reports in our praise archives. These are from people who came to us for prayer and God moved in a wonderful way in their lives and situations," he added.

"As Liveprayer completes our 52nd month of ministry here on the Internet, I am excited about what the year 2004 will bring. I am looking forward to another powerful year of ministry and new opportunities to reach even more people all over the world each day with the hope and love of Jesus Christ," Keller said.

1.8 MILLION E-MAILS

At least 1.8 million people receive Keller's daily prayer devotionals, and many visit the interactive Liveprayer.Com website for prayer and counseling, the organization said.

Keller's ministry began after he re-discovered his faith in Christ when he served a two and a half year Federal Prison term for insider trading, more than a decade ago.

"Shortly after going into prison, Bill rededicated his life to the Lord, received an undergraduate degree in biblical studies from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, and was discipled by two precious charismatic couples," Liveprayer.Com said in a statement seen by ANS.

RELEASED FROM PRISON

But "upon his release in Aug. 1992, Bill went into full time ministry, holding evangelistic meetings in churches all over the country."

Besides Keller's preaching ministry, in 1995 the BK Media division was formed to produce and syndicate television programming for Christian television stations nationwide. In August of 1999, the ministry's internet site Liveprayer.Com was launched.

The preacher, who now suggests his treasures are in heaven, recently urged Christians to now longer accept pageant holidays such as Halloween, which his organization wants to turn into Witnessing for Jesus Day."

ENCOURAGING CHRISTIANS

Keller said the "Witnessing for Jesus Day" is aimed at encouraging Christians to share the Gospel with at least three people during the day.

"If every Christian worldwide shared their faith in Christ with three people, it would literally turn the world upside down over night. The world will be "witnessing" their rebellion of God with their Halloween parties, their costumes, and satanic services."

He stressed that Liveprayer.Com and its supporters "will have churches in every community putting on "Hell House" or "Judgment House" productions as an alternative to the haunted house productions of the world."

Christians would also make their homes inviting for children out trick-or- treating, and in addition to candy, give them a Gospel Tract or Gospel of John booklet. "No child should come to your home and leave without knowing that Jesus is Lord," Keller told his supporters in a recent e-mail devotional.
 
Liveprayer.Com <http://www.liveprayer.com/>   can be reached for prayers and Christian support seven days a week, day and night, at website: http://www.liveprayer.com <http://www.liveprayer.com/> .    
 
ASSIST News Service is brought to you in part by Open Doors USA, a ministry that has served the Suffering Church around the world for nearly 50 years.  You can get more information by logging onto their website at www.opendoorsusa.org <http://www.opendoorsusa.org/>   

If this story has been forwarded to you, click here for your own subscription to Assist News. <http://sheperd.com/assist/us/subscribe.htm> x
___________________________________________>>>

5.    CORPORATE PRAYER. SOLO OR SYMPHONY?    
>From: <IRM@multnomah.edu>

"Spirit led, worship fed, corporate prayer." What a simple statement.  What a powerful time!  This statement communicates the activity of a Prayer Summit as much as anything I have heard.  This phrase deserves reflection.  It can be transferred from a Prayer Summit setting to a local congregation for either an evening of prayer or a an extended time away.  It can be transferred to a ministry office, or to a business office with a few
believers meeting together regularly to enjoy Jesus together.  I have
emphasized the first two-thirds of this phrase in previous months.  Here are some thoughts regarding "corporate prayer".

The first thing Jesus taught us in the Lord's Prayer is that we should pray
together.  Note what Gene Getz says about corporate prayer in his book
entitled "Praying for One Another".

        "It is understandable why so much has been written and presented on personal prayer.  But why have we neglected the corporate emphasis on prayer found in the book of Acts and the epistles?  Since this biblical content relates specifically to the life of the church, the body of Christ, it's here we discover the most relevant biblical teaching on prayer for 20th century Christians."  
        "The answer, I believe, related to our culture and how it has
influenced biblical interpretation.  The hallmark of western civilization has
been rugged individualism.  Because of our philosophy of life, we are used to the personal pronouns 'I' and 'my' and 'me.'  We have not been taught to think in terms of 'we' and 'our' and 'us.'  Consequently, we individualize
many references to corporate experience in the New Testament, thus often emphasizing personal prayer.  The facts are that more is said in the book of Acts and the epistles about corporate prayer, corporate learning of biblical truth, corporate evangelism, and corporate Christian maturity and growth than about the personal aspects of these Christian disciplines."
        "Don't misunderstand.  Both are intricately related.  But the
personal dimensions of Christianity are difficult to maintain and practice
consistently unless they grow out of a proper corporate experience on a
regular basis."

When I pick up my guitar, I don't just play individual notes on the "E"
string.  I place my fingers on the frets and strum all six strings.  Pianists
never play individual notes for very long.  Though a cello may have a brief
solo in a symphony, you seldom hear of a concert given completely to a cello solo.  Harmony can only happen with more than one voice singing.  In the same way that a symphony is fuller than an oboe solo, so also when we lend ourselves to pray in harmony with the prayers of others, there is a fuller heavenly sound.  

When I pray with others, my mind stays more alert.  When I pray with others, I am able to feed off of their lead.  When I pray with others, my heart and my mind are taken places I would not go by myself.  The power of "amen" ispower of agreement.  Agreeing with ourselves doesn't not carry the same weight as agreeing with another!

Spirit led, worship fed, corporate prayer.
___________________________________________>>>

6.    STAND IN THE GAP FOR PRODIGALS
>From: Standnthegap2230@aol.com

WHO DO THEY REALLY BELONG TO?

    " I've decided I don't want anything to do with Christianity."  For a Christian parent these words are some of the most sorrowful words we will hear.  Their impact begins a journey we are not willing to confront nor a battle we are equipped to handle.  Unfortunately, however, for many Christian parents they have a child who has made this decision.

    I am one of those Christian parents and my son made a decision to walk away from the LORD in June of 1999.  It was a devastating blow.  We talked for sometime about his decision and the serious implications of his decision.  We both understand what it means to embrace faith and be a committed Christian.

    My son embraced faith at an early age.  He knows what it means to be a Christian, and he knows what it means to have a walk of faith.  Within our home, the Scripture was taught and lived.  To grow my son up with the Word of God as the foundation of his life was the most important responsibility I felt I had been entrusted with.  My heart was full of sorrow, and his decision to walk away from the LORD is not one that did not carry with it struggles.  This I am sure of.  

    I can still remember the many emotions I went through that first week
after he told me of his decision.  I felt Kubler-Ross had written her stages of bereavement and death for me.  I went through all of them, denial-this was not happening, it wasn't real, he really didn't mean any of this and it would all go away, anger-why God, how could you let this happen, what are you doing, depression, bargaining and there is never really acceptance for the parent of a prodigal.  There was another feeling, blame-what had I done wrong, how had I failed?  On and on it went for many months as the reality settled in and the pain in my heart grew.  My son had truly made a decision and left his walk with God.  

    Since that June day our relationship has undergone so many changes.  It has been a difficult road.  We are forever mother and son the bonds of that love unable to be destroyed but the close relationship we shared has been affected.  Many of the times we share have been difficult for us both. It has been a journey filled with much sorrow in these few years.  I know for any parent whohas experience this type of sorrow they shake their heads in agreement as they earnestly wait for their prodigal to come home.

    Where do we find our comfort?  To whom do we turn as we wait?  During these years with all their ups and downs and the sadness they have brought at times I truly would have become downtrodden had I not like the Psalmist been able to say, " I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." (Ps 27:13 NAS)  He is our hope, He is the one we turn to when all around us caves in and life brings us unbearable sorrow.  We turn our eyes to heaven and know where our help comes from and hold onto the promises of a God who cannot lie nor deny His faithfulness or neglect one of His promises to us.

    Over these years my life has been blessed with the incredible
faithfulness of the God I love.  He has not failed me yet and I have had so many moments when I have been embraced with His love through the tears and the sorrow of my prodigal son.  I have journaled through those moments, marked in my Bible the times He has spoken to me in His word and lifted His holy name with praise as He has been the God of comfort to my weary soul. HE IS FAITHFUL and I stand amazed as He fills me with a peace I cannot understand for the journey I would not have chosen.  Even though these years have brought with them many times of sorrow I stand amazed at the ways God has taken those tears and given me strength and securely sustained me in His loving arms.  There is no other rock.  I have learned to trust in the love He has for my son that is far greater that mine.  I have learned that He has a plan for my son that has not come to fruition yet and all the circumstances of his life are being woven in His careful design.  Through the times in the valley I have come to learn much and I have been so blessed.  I have learned that God promises to conform each of His children to the image of His Son and that extends even to the prodigal.

    So for me, as so many other parents who wait in prayerful expectancy for our prodigals to return to their God, we wait believing that our obedience to God in raising our children to know Him will come to fruition.  We proclaim that the words of Jeremiah 31:16 and 17 are true and that the LORD God has declared to "restrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for your work shall be rewarded," declares the LORD…and your children shall return to their own territory."  Their territory is not of this world but it is a heavenly kingdom not made with hands.  It is an eternal kingdom in which the King of Kings and the LORD of Lords rules.  It is a territory that was claimed by the precious blood of the Savior they professed as their LORD and Savior and HE is who they belong to.

STAND IN THE GAP
    I could not have been led to begin Stand in the Gap if it were not for
these years and my son's walk away from the LORD.  Our only defense lies in the absolute power of prayer.  That is the basis of Stand in the Gap.  The focus of this prayer ministry is to pray for the prodigal.  We come together sharing the same burden. We pray together once a month on the same day at the same time for one hour.  We lift our children before the Throne of Grace to make prayerful intercession for them.  It is the desire of this prayer ministry to reclaim our children one-by-one for the God they belong to and the Kingdom they are heirs to.

    It is my desire to have this prayer ministry opened to churches locally
and grow throughout our country if the LORD leads.  I know I share this burden with so many parents who desire to see our children walking with the LORD again, and together as we share this burden for our children we will Stand in the Gap with prayerful intercession for them.

    The effectual prayer of the righteous releases much power…James

Mari Madonna        
___________________________________________>>>

??    LINKED

Archived
    *Prayer Strategy Updates:
      http://www.nppn.org/Prayers.htm

    *NPPN Inner~Views:
      http://www.nppn.org/innerviews.htm

Send Your City-Wide Prayer Strategy:
    phil@nppn.org

Register Your City's Pastors' Prayer Groups:
   http://www.nppn.org/ppg/

Books on Prayer - NPPN Discount Resource Center
   http://www.nppn.org/resources.htm

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

Support Pastor Phil's ministry in prayer and/or financially:
    http://www.nppn.org/support.htm

Pastor Phil's teaching-preaching-facilitating schedule:
    http://www.nppn.org/schedule.htm
___________________________________________>>>

7.    STRATEGIC PRAYER FOR PRISONS
>From: USAPRAY@aol.com

INTERCESSORS FOR AMERICA
OSL Prayer Committee Alert

FLORIDA DEDICATES FIRST FAITH-BASED PRISON 
Gov. Jeb Bush made a surprise announcement in late December at a White House sponsored news conference and stated that the entire Lawtey Correctional Institution in Bradford County would become "faith-based" in all programs, but would not mandate or have them exclusively Christian.  Eight prison dormitories will house some 800 inmates who qualify and volunteer to be part of the program.  At present, no other correctional system in the country is known to be operating a prison exclusively with faith-based programming.  The move was immediately challenged by the ACLU and other groups opposing tax-funded faith-based programs.  (PalmBeachPost.com)

THREE MAJOR CAMPAIGNS IN APRIL 2004
Please continue to pray for the campaigns that are coming up in 2004:
    Texas (TDCJ Region 1): April 13 - 23
    Florida (DOC Region 4): April 15 - 25
    Easter In-Prison Event (with Chuck Colson): April 11
    Florida (DOC Region 1): August 2 - 15
    Texas (TDCJ Region 3): October 1 - 15

With several campaigns in April, please pray for successful and timely planning, volunteer recruitment and management, long-term impact, and fundraising.

Please pray for the Chaplains' Retreats and Pastors' Luncheons that will take place prior to each campaign. Pray that strong working relationships would be built out of these times both for the campaigns and long-term.

PLANNING FOR OSL COLORADO 2005 UNDERWAY
Planning for an OSL campaign in Colorado is already underway. Please pray for a smooth process with gaining approval for access into every facility from the Department of Corrections.

Pray also for a strong volunteer recruitment plan and fundraising ideas and plans. Below are individuals responsible for some specific areas.
    Setting up Local Committees - Joel Ryan, Paul Krueger
    Getting DOC Approval - Joel Ryan
    Volunteer Recruitment Plan - Don Grier, Doug Murphy, Chris Lang
    Fundraising - Kim Lightsey, Joel Ryan, Paul Krueger

PRAYING FOR PRISON CHAPLAINS
Please take this moment to pray for chaplains working in prisons all across our nation. Many of them, if not all, carry quite a heavy load in ministering to inmates and working in the DOC system. We recently received a prayer request for a prison chaplain named Brian Daniels, who has been bending under the load in his prison and has suffered multiple heart attacks. He's a relatively young man. Please take this time to pray for Brian and the men and women who are working within our prison system and ministering to the prison population. Pray for their strength to be supernaturally renewed by the Spirit of God - spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically.
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Your prayers (however short or long) make a difference! Your help in spreading this alert and getting more people to pray can mean the difference in transforming our nation's prison population through prayer. Please forward this prayer alert to your friends after you are done.

IFA | OSL Prayer Committee
P.O. Box 915, Purcellville, VA 20134
Office: 800.USA.PRAY
Fax: 540.751.0984
Email: PrayOSL@aol.com
____________________________________________>>>

8.    STRATEGIC PRAYER FOR PASTORS
>From: Danjuma1@aol.com
>At: www.assistnews.net

2004 IS YEAR OF PRAYER FOR PASTORS

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (ANS) -- “The Year of Prayer for Pastors” is a united prayer theme among churches for the year 2004. The National Prayer Committee, Pray! Magazine and the National Denominational Prayer Leaders are joining in a strategic effort to raise the level of awareness and prayer covering for pastors across the nation.

Steve Loopstra, one of the leaders of the initiative and executive director of Prayer Transformation Ministries, describes the vision: “If there were ever a time to raise the awareness of the need to pray for our pastors it is today. The pressures and stresses on todays pastors is overwhelming. Frankly, we have no clue of what would happen if we as the Church really would dedicate ourselves to continually covering our pastors and their families in prayer.”

The National Prayer Committee and Denominational Prayer Leaders are encouraging churches to be intentional and strategic about prayer for pastors. Dana Olson, denominational prayer leader for the Baptist General Conference, recognizes the importance of prayer for pastors. “These are days when it is tough to shepherd a flock, and pastors often find their families under great stress. But pastors can flourish in their ministries if their people are committed to love them and pray for them continuously.”

Many national ministries and denominations are joining in promoting the Year of Prayer for Pastors, including Pray! Magazine, Focus on the Family, and Mission America. You can find resources by going to www.prayingpastor.com. They have also produced a CD containing thirty, one-minute prayer spots designed to be used by radio stations as PSA’s. If you would like a copy contact Steve Loopstra

Although Year of Prayer for Pastors is an initiative for 2004, the vision is that the foundation built in churches will continue in years to come. “This is so foundational to the Body of Christ, and certainly not just a one-year strategy,” said Loopstra.

For more information you can contact Steve Loopstra at Prayer Transformation Ministries, 810 S. 7th St., Minneapolis, MN 55415, 612-278-1714, PTM@prayertransformation.com.
___________________________________________>>>

9.    A BILLY GRAHAM CALL TO PRAYER
>From: "Derrick, Jane" <JDerrick@bgea.org>

"A Call to Prayer" is a new and special opportunity to come to The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove to pray for world evangelization and global revival. The Billy Graham Training Center is a beautiful, mountainside retreat near Asheville, NC.

At the dedication of the Billy Graham Training Center in 1992, Billy Graham spoke of his desire for this property to become a "Prayer Mountain" -- a place where people can get away from the distractions and pressures of their busy lives and pray. Groups or individuals may come to "A Call to Prayer".

2004 Dates Available:    
February. 27-29
May 17-20
August. 1-4
December 3-5
Additional dates are available upon request.

Location ~ Billy Graham Training Center @ I-40 Exit 55, Asheville, North Carolina

Registration ~ 1-800-950-2092

Cost:  $135 a day -- single occupancy; $94.50 a day per person -- double occupancy; $83.33 a day per person -- triple occupancy  This includes accommodations for one night, meals, devotional guides and instruction in prayer.

Deposit ~A deposit of $50 per person must accompany  registration. Deposits are nonrefunable unless cancellation is made at least 30 days prior to the event.
                                           
While you are at The Cove there will be time to:
*Sit in God's presence in quiet devotion & drawn deeper into prayer in the tranquility and majestic beauty of God's creation.
*Cry out to God to have mercy on our land, to save the lost, to heal the brokenhearted and to revive His church.
*Fellowship with others who long to draw close to God in prayer.
*Be renewed and strengthened in your prayer life and devotion to God.
___________________________________________>>>

10.    
PrayWORLD! 2004    SPECIAL COMMUNIQUE

A 40-DAY PRAYER CALENDAR-GUIDE was recently sent to you by e-mail, which we trust reached you in good time.  PrayWORLD! 2004 dates will coincide with the Season of Lent: Ash Wednesday, February 25, through Palm Sunday, April 4.  

PrayWORLD is sponsored by the International Prayer Council, in alliance with the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization and the World Evangelical Alliance.  It addresses every nation, and numerous issues related to the coming glory of our blessed Savior.

The Prayer Calendar is now available to people everywhere at www.prayworld.org <http://www.prayworld.org> .  Could you kindly help make this availability known by networking a notice to everyone within your sphere of influence?

Your gracious participation is requested as part of an international invitation to the entire Body of Christ.  God informs us in His word that He waits to be invited before intervening in human affairs.  In His love, He will not impose Himself on people.  May we, then, invite Him through the 40-day intercession period to bless the Gospel of Christ among all nations, and cover the globe with His saving grace in these formidable days?

You may wish to follow three recommendations in your relay of this world-wide call to Prayer:

1.   Insert requests from your own ministry that relate to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.
2.   Invite persons to translate contents into languages you serve.
3.   Network the Call to Prayer throughout your constituency.

God is able to do vastly more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20)—beyond all opportunities or opposition to the Gospel--according to the power that is working in us.  May we, then, join expectantly and receptively with one another around the world, and allow His power to flow freely and effectively through the Body of Christ to all nations?

Thank you for your invaluable part in releasing His glory among the nations!
Ben A. Jennings and Steve Hawthorne, in behalf of the International Prayer Council
___________________________________________>>>

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National Pastors' Prayer Network
1130 Randville Drive  ID, Palatine, IL 60074
847-991-0153  *  847-358-9337(fax)
http://www.nppn.org  *  email: phil@nppn.org
Register your PPG: http://www.nppn.org/ppg/

Phil Miglioratti - Coordinator
Carol Miglioratti - Office Manager
Sheila Straka - Intercession: sheila@nppn.org
Chuck Straka - Web Master: straka1@nppn.org
Adam Shields - Tech Support: Updates@nppn.org
Carol Karr - Administrative Services

___Unless clearly identified as "Personal To _____" or "Confidential" all information and comments sent to phil@nppn.org will be considered for use in a future NPPN Update.
___Copyright 2004. However, permission is granted to freely redistribute to those who will partner in praying for and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone in our nation and beyond.
___Opinions reflect the views of each author or respondent, not the NPPN or any other person or organization
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