That They May All Be One

NEC Prayer Ministries Bulletin Inserts

2014

President: Daniel Honore

Secretary: Oswald Euell

Treasurer: Edson Bovell

Dearest Prayer Partners in Ministry,

Greetings in the matchless name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In this new year we are given the opportunity to not only look forward but to also look back on 2013. As we reflect on the past year's joys and challenges of preaching the Everlasting Gospel in an increasingly secular world, we recognize that we need to seek the Lord unitedly in prayer now more than ever. The abundant harvest we yearn to experience will only come in answer to fervent, prevailing prayer. In the last week of His mortal life, as he faced the cruel death of the cross, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ prayed an intercessory prayer for us. In that prayer, he not only described the completion of His mission here on earth but prayed that we too might reflect the relationship He enjoys with His Father in Heaven. In John the 17th chapter we are blessed to hear and experience through the Scripture our Savior praying in our behalf. His prayer still is that "we all may be one even as we [Jesus and God the Father], are one. John 17:21-22. From this prayer we understand that it is God's will that we unite in Him that we might better be able to unite with one another. As Jesus prayed, so must we. United prayer is powerful prayer, and will reflect itself in unity of mind, united of purpose and unity of action. Inspiration tells us that "all true laborers for God will work in harmony with this prayer. In their efforts to advance the work, all will manifest that oneness of sentiment and practice which reveals that they are Gods witnesses, that they love one another. To a world that is broken up by discord and strife, their love and unity will testify to their connection with heaven. It is the convincing evidence of the divine character of their mission (7T, 156). This year, the inserts are divided into two sections, one for the prayer leader and one for the bulletin. It is my hope that these readings will prove a blessing and a source of strength and encouragement to you and your team as you minister in your local congregations. Insert them into your weekly bulletins, use the resources provided and tailor them to your specific needs as you lead out in prayer from week to week. Remember to join us in the School of Prayer at the NEC office 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. every third Sunday of the month except in February when the School convenes on the 2nd Sunday. It is a wonderful time of fellowship, prayer, of singing of spiritual hymns, planning, and training. Join us on the Global Power Bible Prayer Hotline, a 24/7 meeting place for study and intercession. As the burdens of the work grow greater, and the hearts of men grow colder, we will truly begin to appreciate Christs exhortation to us in Luke 18:1 where we read and he spoke a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. May the habit of prayer, and the power of prayer be evidenced in and through us in 2014 as never before.
Yours, as workers together in Him,

Pat Langley NEC Prayer Ministries

www.globalprayerministries.com

January 4, 2014 1st Sabbath Prayer Leader's Section: Sabbath Prayer Focus: That We May Be One On this first Sabbath of the new year, it is fitting that we consider Our Lord's intention for us. In John the 17th chapter Jesus prayed to His Heavenly Father that "we might be one" as He and the Father are one. Where does this unity come from? In Genesis chapter 1:26 we are given a glimpse of the unity that is the relationship between the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost. The decision is made, the result made known. "And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness." In Deuteronomy 6:4, Moses calls the attention of the Iraelites to the reading of God's law by declaring that "the Lord our God is One." So fundamental is this understanding of the unity of the Godhead that this call remains the central prayer in the Jewish prayerbook today. In the Review and Herald, January 27, 1903 we read that "the salvation of human beings is a vast enterprise, that calls into action every attribute of the divine nature. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit have pledged themselves to make God's children more than conquerors through Him that loved them." And for this we can give God much praise. Prayer focus: That we may all be one as God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit are one. John 17: 9,22 KJV I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. . . And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one. The most convincing argument we can give to the world of Christs mission is to be found in perfect unity. Such oneness as exists between the Father and the Son is to be manifest among all who believe the truth. Those who are thus united in implicit obedience to the word of God will be filled with power. Ellen G. White, Bible Training School, February 1, 1906. If we reach the standard of perfection, our peculiar traits of disposition must be molded in harmony with Christs will. Then we shall sit together in heavenly places in Christ. Brethren will work together, without a thought of collision. Little differences, dwelt upon, lead to actions that destroy Christian fellowship.... Let us keep drawing near to God, and He will draw near to us. Then, as one, we shall reach upward to Him. The churches will be as gardens of the Lord, under His cultivation. Gods people will be trees of righteousness, planted by the Lord, and watered with the river of life. Ellen G. White, Our High Calling, p. 170.5

January 11, 2014 2nd Sabbath Prayer Leader's Section: Jesus, in Matthew 7:17 said that "ye shall know them by their fruits" and later, in the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13), said that "he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit". But what is the fruit we are to bear? Are we to bear oranges, pears, mangos or some other fruit? In Romans 1: 13, the apostle Paul writes that he would like to "have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles." From this we understand that winning souls to Christ and helping them grow is bearing fruit. Paul also speaks of contributing to the poor as a "fruit" in Romans 15: 25-28 while developing a Christlike character is also referred to as the "fruit" of the Spirit in Galatians 5. Just as the primary responsibility and function of the branch is to bear fruit, so it is with us. It is God's will that His children will bear the fruit of His Holy Spirit, the fruit of a Christlike character and the fruit of good works. In Hebrews 13:15 we are also told that "by him [Jesus], therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. Prayer focus: That we may allow God to prune us that we may bring forth the good fruit of His Holy Spirit. Sabbath Prayer Focus: To Bring Forth Much Fruit John 15: 1-2, 8 KJV I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. . . . Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. God has endowed us with faculties and has entrusted us with talents in order that we may use them for Him. To every man is given his work - not merely work in his fields of corn and wheat, but earnest, persevering work for the salvation of souls. Every stone in Gods temple must be a living stone, a stone that shines, reflecting light to the world. Let the laymen do all that they can; and as they use the talents they already have, God will give them more grace and increased ability. . . . Let all who believe the truth begin to work. Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, 246.1 The Lord Jesus Christ is the living vine, and all who are children of God are grafted into the parent stock, drawing sap and nourishment from the one root. The branches are not blended into one, but are diverse, separate branches, yet they all live from the same root. Testimonies to Southern Africa, p. 22

January 18, 2014 3rd Sabbath Prayer Leader's Section: We all know what a branch is. Its essential characteristic is that it is simply a growth of the vine, produced by it and appointed to bear its fruit. It has only one reason for existence. It is there at the bidding of the vine, that through it the vine may bear and ripen its precious fruit. Just as the vine lives solely and wholly to produce the sap that makes the grape, so the branch has the singular object of receiving the sap and bearing the grape. Its only work is to serve the vine, in order that through it the vine may do its work. What sort of life, according to the parable, must we lead to bear fruit? What must we be or do that will enable us to pray as we should, and to receive what we ask for? The answer is in one word: the branch-life gives power for prayer. We are branches of Christ, the Living Vine. We must simply live like branches - abide in Christ - then we shall ask what we will, and it shall be done unto us. "If ye abide in Me," our Lord says, you shall ask and it shall be done unto you. It is the prayer of a righteous man, according to James 5:16, that avails much. We receive whatsoever we ask, John says, because we obey and please God. Prayer focus: That we may recognize the Living Vine and seek to abide in Him through prayer.
Adapted from: The Ministry of Intercession, by Andrew Murray, p.48 - 49

Sabbath Prayer Focus: Abiding in Me

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. Those who undertake to carry forward the work in their own strength will certainly fail. Education alone will not fit a man for a place in the work, will not enable him to obtain a knowledge of God. Ellen G. White, Christian Education, p. 94.2 Abiding in Christ means a constant receiving of His Spirit, a life of unreserved surrender to His service. The channel of communication must be open continually between man and his God. As the vine branch constantly draws the sap from the living vine, so are we to cling to Jesus, and receive from Him by faith the strength and perfection of His own character. The root sends its nourishment through the branch to the outermost twig. So Christ communicates the current of spiritual strength to every believer. So long as the soul is united to Christ, there is no danger that it will wither or decay. Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 676

January 25, 2014 4th Sabbath Prayer Leader's Section: Prayer Marks Spiritual Leadership Anglican cleric and Christian theologian John Wesley once wrote " give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on earth. God does nothing but in answer to prayer." The Apostles knew the necessity and worth of prayer in their ministry. They knew that their high commission as apostles, instead of relieving them from the necessity of prayer, committed them to it by a more urgent need. Consequently, they were exceedingly careful that some other important work should not exhaust their time and prevent their praying as they should. Prayer is one of the eminent characteristics of strong spiritual leadership. Leaders of mighty prayer are leaders of might and mold things. Their prayer with God has the conquering tread. Prayer focus: Pray for and with our leaders, both lay and ordained. Sabbath Prayer Focus: Call On Me Isaiah 43: 1, 10, 22 But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. . . .Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.....But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel. The Lord has said that his work is to be done, not by might nor by power; but by my Spirit. The work of God is to be carried on to completion by the co-operation of divine and human agencies. Those who are self-sufficient may be apparently active in the work of God; but if they are prayerless, their activity is of no avail. . . . The church must pray in faith, else if the Lord grants success to our work, we shall be ensnared through spiritual pride. Sincere, earnest prayer will be answered. God has pledged his word that he will answer the cry of the honest heart. Ellen G. White, Review and Herald July 4, 1893.

Adapted from: E.M. Bounds, Prayer Marks Spiritual Leadership: The Classic Collection on Prayer, pp. 639-641

February 1, 2014 5th Sabbath Prayer Leader's Section: If God Be For Us In every trial let us call upon the Lord, and he will save us. He shall hear us, and not blame us for coming too often; the oftener the more welcome. David had thought all were against him; but now he sees there were many with him, more than he supposed; and the glory of this he gives to God, for it is he that raises us up friends, and makes them faithful to us. There are more true Christians, and believers have more real friends than in their gloomy hours they suppose (v.18). In Psalm 56:2, we hear the lament of David in distress. Again, he cries out to the Lord that his "enemies would daily swallow me up: for there be many that fight against me, O Thou Most High." Have you ever felt overwhelmed by problems that seem to surround you like an invading army? At one time or another we have all felt distressed and anxious by challenges we have had to face. Times of trouble that seemed like an army camped at our door, with nowhere to turn. But we remember David, who cried out to the Lord. We remember that we have Our Father's assurance that He will hear the cry of even the weakest suppliant and will answer. Prayer focus: Pray for the strength to seek God in prayer in every trial.
Adapted from: Matthew Henry's Concise Commntary on Psalm 55

Sabbath Prayer Focus: Linked With God Through Prayer Psalm 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. It is a wonderful thing that we can pray effectually; that unworthy, erring mortals possess the power of offering their requests to God. What higher power can man desire than this, to be linked with the infinite God? Feeble, sinful man has the privilege of speaking to his Maker. We may utter words that reach the throne of the Monarch of the universe. We may speak with Jesus as we walk by the way, and He says, I am at thy right hand. We may commune with God in our hearts; we may walk in companionship with Christ. When engaged in our daily labor, we may breathe out our hearts desire, inaudible to any human ear; but that word cannot die away into silence, nor can it be lost. Nothing can drown the souls desire. It rises above the din of the street, above the noise of machinery. It is God to whom we are speaking, and our prayer is heard. . . . To every sincere prayer an answer will come. It may not come just as you desire, or at the time you look for it; but it will come in the way and at the time that will best meet your need. The prayers you offer in loneliness, in weariness, in trial, God answers, not always according to your expectations, but always for your good. Ellen G. White, Prayer, p. 7.2

February 8, 2014 6th Sabbath Prayer Leader's Section: Train Up A Child Happy the Home D.L. Moody, was an American evangelist and publisher who lived in the late 1800s. Moody's father died at the early age of forty-one, and left his widow in poverty with a mortgage on the home and seven children to support. The creditors seized everything they could, even to the firewood, and the children had to stay in bed until schooltime to keep warm. A brother of the widowed mother then came to their rescue and helped to relieve their immediate needs. In their extremity Rev. Mr. Everett, a Unitarian minister, was very kind to them, and all the Moody children became members of his Sunday School, and were enlisted as workers to bring in other children. It was here that young Moody began his successful career as a Sunday School worker who continued on to become one of the great preaching evangelists of our time. Once, while addressing a crowded meeting of children in Edinborough, Scotland he asked "what is prayer?" He did not expect to get an answer, he just wanted to get the children's attention but to his amazement, scores of little hands shot up all over the hall. He asked one lad to reply and the answer came at once, clear and correct. "Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God for things agreeable to His will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins and thankful acknowledgement of His mercies." Prayer focus: Our homes, our families, our children.
The Kneeling Christian, by an Unknown Christian, p. 20

Sabbath Prayer Focus:

Psalm 141:2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

From every Christian home a holy light should shine forth. Love should be revealed in action. It should flow out in all home intercourse, showing itself in thoughtful kindness, in gentle, unselfish courtesy. There are homes where this principle is carried out homes where God is worshiped and truest love reigns. From these homes morning and evening prayer ascends to God as sweet incense, and His mercies and blessings descend upon the suppliants like the morning dew. The first work of Christians is to be united in the family. Then the work is to extend to their neighbors nigh and afar off. Those who have received light are to let the light shine forth in clear rays. Their words, fragrant with the love of Christ, are to be a savor of life unto life. The more closely the members of a family are united in their work in the home, the more uplifting and helpful will be the influence that father and mother and sons and daughters will exert outside the home. Ellen G. White, The Adventist Home, p. 37

February 15, 2014 7th Sabbath Prayer Leader's Section: Love Unbounded A Pledge Before Heavenly Witnesses A young girl was leaving for school, and her mother reminded her to come straight home when her last class ended. Thirty minutes late, she finally walked through the front door. Her mother scolded her. Where have you been? she asked. Ive been worried sick. With a concerned face, the daughter sweetly replied, I walked home with my friend, Sally, and she dropped her doll and it broke all to pieces. It was just awful! So you were late because you stayed to help her pick up the doll and put it back together again? her mother asked. Oh no, Mommy, she explained. I didnt know how to fix the doll. I just stayed to help her cry! This little story illustrates an important love priniciple. Empathy, or to be empathetic is to enter into another's feelings. A family with empathy is concerned about each other's needs and feelings as well as being concerned about behavior. While behavior is important, an empathic family gives more consideration to understanding the "why" of the behavior. Each is moved by the human needs and feelings of the others and is willing to make changes as necessary to enable one another to enjoy respect and dignity as persons. The principle for this is that of Phil. 2:4, "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." If the parents would enter more fully into the feelings of their children and draw out what is in their hearts, it would have a beneficial influence upon them." Ellen G. White, The Adventist Home, p. 190. Prayer focus: Love in the home, couples.
Adapted from: Dan Clark, Puppies for Sale, and other Inspirational Tales, p.6 Karen & Ron Flowers: Your Family: How It Shapes the Next Generation, Adventist Family Ministries

Sabbath Prayer Focus:

Genesis 25: 21 And Isaac intreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. In the marriage relation there is a very important step taken, the blending of two lives into one.... It is in accord with the will of God that man and wife should be linked together in His work, to carry it forward in a wholeness and a holiness. They can do this. God has ordained that there should be perfect love and harmony between those who enter into the marriage relation. Let bride and bridegroom, in the presence of the heavenly universe, pledge themselves to love each other as God has ordained they should.... The wife is to respect and reverence her husband, and the husband is to love and cherish his wife. In your life union your affections are to be tributary to each others happiness. Each is to minister to the happiness of the other. This is the will of God concerning you. Ellen G. White, The Adventist Home, p. 103

February 22, 2014 8th Sabbath Prayer Leader's Section: The Boldness of God's Friends And he said unto them, "which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth." Luke 11:5-8 KJV There is a twofold use of prayer: the one, to obtain strength and blessing for our own life; the other, the higher, the true glory of prayer, for which Christ has taken us into His fellowship and teaching, is intercession, where prayer is the royal power a child of God exercises in heaven on behalf of others and even of the kingdom. We see it in Scripture, how it was in intercession for others that Abraham and Moses, Samuel and Elijah, with all the holy men of old, proved that they had power with God and prevailed. It is when we give ourselves to be a blessing that we can specially count on the blessing of God. It is when we draw near to God as the friend of the poor and the perishing that we may count on His friendliness; the righteous man who is the friend of the poor is very specially the friend of God. Prayer focus: That we may become effective intercessors in behalf of others. Sabbath Prayer Focus: The Gift of Intercession 1 Samuel 12: 22-24 For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people. Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. Intercede for Others in Private Prayer In private prayer all have the privilege of praying as long as they desire and of being as explicit as they please. They can pray for all their relatives and friends. The closet is the place to tell all their private difficulties, and trials, and temptations. A common meeting to worship God is not the place to open the privacies of the heart. Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church 2:578. In calling God our Father, we recognize all His children as our brethren. We are all a part of the great web of humanity, all members of one family. In our petitions we are to include our neighbors as well as ourselves. No one prays aright who seeks a blessing for himself alone. Ellen G. White, Sons and Daughters of God, p. 267.

Andrew Murray, With Christ in the School of Prayer: Because of His Importunity, p. 41

March 1, 2014 9th Sabbath Prayer Leader's Section: Prayer Essential to God It must never be forgotten that Almighty God rules this world. He is not an absentee God. His hand is ever on the throttle of human affairs. He is everywhere present in the concerns of time. "His eyes behold, his eyelids try the children of men," (Psalm 11: 4). He rules the world just as He rules the Church, by prayer. Nothing is more important to God than prayer in dealing with mankind. But it is likewise all-important to man to pray. Failure to pray is failure along the whole line of life. It is failure of duty, service and spiritual progress. God must help man by prayer. He who does not pray therefore robs himself of God's help and places God where he cannot help man. Man must pray to God if love for God is to exist. Faith and hope, and patience and all the strong, beautiful, vital forces of piety are withered and dead in a prayerless life. The life of the individual believer, his personal salvation, and personal Christian graces have their being, bloom and fruitage in prayer. Jonah was a prophet of the Lord and a fugitive from God and from his place of duty. Yet in his distress he called upon the Lord, and God heard him and rescued him from "the belly of hell." (Jonah 2:2) Prayer focus: Help to find time and voice to pray so that God will find time and voice to answer.
E.M. Bounds, The Weapon of Prayer, p. 9 E.M. Bounds, Jonah, pp. 493,663

Sabbath Prayer Focus:

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Mans pride would lead him to seek for salvation in some other way than that devised by God. He is unwilling to be accounted as nothing, unwilling to recognize Christ as the only one who can save to the uttermost. But of Christ it is written, There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. In all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted. The one word written above the life that Christ lived in this world in behalf of the fallen race, is Salvation. Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, December 4, 1913. We must live a twofold life - a life of thought and action, of silent prayer and earnest work. . . . God requires us to be living epistles, known and read of all men. The soul that turns to God for its strength, its support, its power, by daily, earnest prayer, will have noble aspirations, clear perceptions of truth and duty, lofty purposes of action, and a continual hungering and thirsting after righteousness. Ellen G. White, Gods Amazing Grace, p. 317.

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March 8, 2014 10th Sabbath Prayer Leader's Section: Solomon's Prayer One of the main reasons that prayer is such a powerful force is that it is based on the promises of God. And the promises of God will still endure even if heaven and earth should pass away. Passages of Scripture that tell us this are found in Matthew 5:18 and Luke 17:17. Solomon, the wisest of all kings, said, Blessed be the Lord there hath not failed one word of all his good promise (1Kings 8:56). Knowing God's promises cannot fail, King Solomon prayed, but not just an ordinary prayer. The prayer of Solomon at the dedication of the temple is the product of inspired wisdom and piety . . . . national and individual blessings are in it, and temporal and spiritual good is embraced by it. National calamities, individual sins, sickness, exile, famine, war, pestilence, mildew, drought, insects, damage to crops . . . . all are in this prayer and all are for prayer. For all these evils, prayer is the one universal remedy. Pure praying remedies all ills, cures all diseases, relieves all situations - no matter how desperate, disasterous, fearful, and despairing. God can relieve when no one else can. Prayer focus: Pray for national leaders, national disasters, and armed conflicts around the world.
Adapted from: E.M. Bounds, The Classic Collection on Prayer, pp. 215, 216

Sabbath Prayer Focus: The Spirit of Prayer 1 Kings 8:29 Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day. As Solomon ended his prayer, fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices. The priests could not enter the temple because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lords house. When all the children of Israel saw ... the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshiped, and praised the Lord, saying, For He is good; for His mercy endureth forever. Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, p. 45. Those who have the spirit of prayer have the highest interest in the court of heaven. And the only way to retain it is to keep it in constant employment. Apostasy begins in the closet. No one ever backslid from the life and power of Christianity who continued constant and fervent in private prayer. The person who prays without ceasing is likely to rejoice evermore. (Adam Clarke)

March 15, 2014 11th Sabbath Prayer Leader's Section: Destroying an Inheritance of Family Bondage We all know we can inherit our mother's eyes, our father's nose, or the colour of our gandmother's hair. But did you know that we can also pick up character qualities from our parents, such as a bad temper, a propensity for lying, depression, self-pity, envy, unforgiveness, perfectionism, and pride? These and other characteristics that have a spiritual root can be passed along from our parents to us, and from us to our children. In a particular family, there may be a tendancy toward such things as divorce, infidelity, alcoholism, addiction, suicide or depression. The Bible talks about the influence our parents can have on us. It says God will visit "the iniquities of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me" (Exodus 20:5). This Scripture is referring to people who don't walk in a loving relationship with God. However, a parent who is a believer and loves God can still choose to sin. And his sin will profoundly affect his children. No wonder Manoah's prayer concerning her unborn child was, " O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born" (Judges 13:8). Prayer focus: Pray for God's revelation of inherited traits and tendencies that seek to undermine healthly family relationships.
Adapted from: Stormie Omartian, The Power of a Praying Parent, p. 151

Sabbath Prayer Focus: Pray Believing . . . . Luke 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. The birth of a son to Zacharias, like the birth of the child of Abraham, and that of Mary, was to teach a great spiritual truth, a truth that we are slow to learn and ready to forget. In ourselves we are incapable of doing any good thing; but that which we cannot do will be wrought by the power of God in every submissive and believing soul. It was through faith that the child of promise was given. It is through faith that spiritual life is begotten, and we are enabled to do the works of righteousness. Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 98.3 As you ask the Lord to help you, honor your Saviour by believing that you do receive His blessing. All power, all wisdom, are at our command. We have only to ask. Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 514. The Importance of Prenatal Influences - The effect of prenatal influences is by many parents looked upon as a matter of little moment; but heaven does not so regard it. The message sent by an angel of God, and twice given in the most solemn manner, shows it to be deserving of our most careful thought. Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 372.

March 22, 2014 12th Sabbath Prayer Leader's Section: Sabbath Prayer Focus: Praying in My Name Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it" (John 14: 12-14). Many Christians have seized these words and taken them to mean that God is locked in by His own words to supply them "whatever" they ask, simply by adding the phrase "in Jesus name" to the end of their prayers. Their attempts have often resulted in disappointment because of a misunderstanding of what Jesus said. To pray in Jesus' name is to ask for things consistent with who He is and what He's about. The Lord gave the wonderful promise of the free use of His Name with the Father in conjuction with doing His works. The disciple who lives only for Jesus' work and Kingdom, for His will and honour, will be given the power to appropriate the promise. Anyone grasping the promise only when he wants something very special for himself will be disappointed, because he is making Jesus the servant of his own comfort.* Requests that will result in provision, protection, healing, sanctification, peace, and salvation are consistent with the character and name of Christ. We are "called" to represent that name before heaven and earth in our lives and on our knees. Prayer focus: For understanding what is the will of God concerning those around us.
Adapted from: Randy Maxwell, If My People Pray, p. 62, 63 Andrew Murray, With Christ in the School of Prayer, 143

John 14:13, 14 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If we live according to His word, every precious promise He has given will be fulfilled to us. We are undeserving of His mercy, but as we give ourselves to Him, He receives us, He will work for and through those who follow Him. Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 226 The path of sincerity and integrity is not free from obstruction, but in every difficulty we are to see a call to prayer. Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, said Jesus, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it. Ellen G. White, From Heaven With Love, p. 299 The arm of Omnipotence is outstretched to lead us onward and still onward. Go forward, the Lord says; I will send you help. It is for My names glory that you ask; and you shall receive. Those who are watching for your failure shall yet see My word triumph gloriously. All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive (Matthew 21:22). Ellen G. White, Gospel Workers, p. 264

March 29, 2014 13th Sabbath Prayer Leader's Section: Called By God's Name God has a name. In fact, He has many names. When God showed Moses how to turn the bitter waters sweet, He made a promise to Israel, saying, "I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am [ Jehova-ropheka, 'Jehovah who heals you' ]" (Exodus 15:26). When He established the Sabbath as a covenant between Israel and Himself, God told Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am [Jehovah-meqaddeshkem, 'Jehovah who sanctifieth you']" (Exodus 31:13). David knew Him as Jehovah-roi, "Jehovah, my Shepherd." Abraham, as he spotted a ram entangled in a nearby thicket, called that place JehovahJireh, "Jehovah will provide" (Genesis 22:14). Jehovah-Nissi, "Jehovah is my banner," was the name given by Moses to the altar he built to commemorate Israel's victory over the Amelekites in Exodus 17:15. These names of God describe who He is - His character and His attributes. And it is by His name, with all its meanings, that He calls you and me. Prayer focus: Let us pray back the names of God in our every situation.
Adapted from: Randy Maxwell, If My People Pray, p. 60,61

Sabbath Prayer Focus: Called By God's Name Exodus 3:13, 14 And Moses said unto God, "Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, the God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?" Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. Psalms 148:13 The Names of God:
El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty) El Elyon (The Most High God) Adonai (Lord, Master) Yahweh (Lord, Jehovah) Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner) Jehovah-Raah or Roi (The Lord My Shepherd) Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals) Jehovah Shammah (The Lord Is There) Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness) Jehovah Mekoddishkem or meqaddeshkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You) El Olam (The Everlasting God) Elohim (God) Qanna (Jealous) Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide) Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace) Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts)

Praying for Our Leaders in 2014 - Q1

Week Dates Conference President Churches Members

Atlantic Union
1 1 2 3 4 5
Dec.29 - Jan.4 Dec.29 - Jan.4 Jan 5 - 11 Jan 12 - 18 Jan 19 - 25 Jan 26 - Feb 1 Bermuda* Northern New England* Greater New York New York Northeastern Southern New England

Donald G. King
Jeffery Brown Bob Cundiff G. Earl Knight Angel Rodriguez Daniel Honore David Dennis 10 60 147 63 177 109 3, 827 5,192 24,886 5,456 48, 549 15,535

Columbia Union
6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12
Feb 2-8 Feb 9-15 Feb 16-22 Feb 16-22 Feb 23-Mar 1 Mar 2-8 Mar 9-15 Mar 16-22

Dave Weigley
Allegheny East Allegheny West Chesapeake* Mountain View* New Jersey Ohio Pennsylvania Potomac Henry Fordham William Cox Rick Remmers Larry Boggess Jose H. Cortes Raj Attiken Ray Heartwell Bill Miller 106 48 62 33 80 94 101 136 44, 138 13, 340 13, 490 2, 402 13,039 11,448 10, 572 32,872

Lake Union
13 14
Mar 23-29 Mar 30-April 5

Don Livesay
Illinois Indiana Rymond Pichette Van Hurst 96 67 13,044 7,570

*Two conferences share the same week. Conference data taken from the SDA Yearbook, January 2011.