SPIRIT ABLAZE: A podcast of the Northeast GMC

Day 11 of "27-Day Prayer & Fasting Journey" with Rev. Dan Fuller

Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus !  HE IS RISEN ! I hope you are having a blessed Resurrection Sunday.
My name is Dan Fuller and I am the Presiding Elder of the New York Binghamton district in the Northeast Conference of the Global Methodist Church. Welcome to Day 11 of 27 Days of Prayer as we prepare for our Annual Conference gathering on May 8-10 in Cortland, NY.
The nine churches of the New York Binghamton district are located in the Southern Tier of the state of New York.  This is an area of rolling hills and river valleys near the Catskill Mountains. Something I love about our district is that our area has a wonderful history and heritage of vibrant, biblical, and evangelical Christian faith - Methodist and otherwise.
Our churches are:
 ▪ Christ’s Church in the Valley
▪ Conklin Forks Methodist Church
▪ First Methodist Church of Campville
▪ Gibson Corners Methodist Church
▪ Hawleyton Methodist Church
▪ New Hope Methodist
▪ Union Center Methodist Church
▪ Wesley Methodist Church
▪ Whittemore Hill Global Methodist Church
Pray for us today, that we would faithfully live into our shared mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
We in the New York Binghamton district are eager to see many of you at Annual Conference in May.  We encourage you to use these days of preparation to hear God’s Word and pray with us as we prepare to fan the flame that the Holy Spirit has kindled in us all.  
Here is today’s focus Scripture passage from Matthew 28:1-10: 
1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
This is the Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.
Today’s Prayer Focus
The two Marys went to the tomb at dawn on that first Easter Sunday not expecting a bright day. They came simply to look at the place where the body of Jesus lay in darkness. The angel’s proclamation, and the witness of the empty tomb, is accompanied by a command to “go quickly and tell.” The women hurry away, “afraid, yet filled with joy.” Center your prayers this day on becoming a person of faith, one who hurries to tell others the good news.
Today’s Suggested Prayer (Easter Prayer from The Book of Worship for church and Home, Copyright © 1944, The Methodist Publishing House, p. 177, alt.)
Almighty and everlasting God,who turned the despair of the disciples into triumphby the resurrection of Christ;give us faith to believe that every good which seemed to be overcome by eviland every love which seemed to be buried in darkness and death,shall rise again to life immortal.Through Jesus Christ, who lives with you forevermore. Amen.
You can find this prayer, and all the other prayers of the 27 Days, on the Conference website, northeastgmc.org.
May the Lord richly bless your faithful prayers. Amen.

Day 10 of "27-Day Prayer & Fasting Journey" with Rev. Penny Brink

Greetings in the name of Christ.
My name is Penny Brink and I am the Presiding Elder of the New York Adirondack district in the Northeast Conference of the Global Methodist Church. Welcome to Day 10 of 27 Days of Prayer as we prepare for our Annual Conference gathering on May 8-10 in Cortland, NY. 
The seven churches of the New York Adirondack district are located in the Northeastern part of the state of NEW YORK. What I love about our district is that we are located near and within the beautiful Adirondack Mountains, with all of their pristine lakes and mountain trails. Our churches are Amsterdam Methodist Church, Malta Ridge Methodist Church, Fortsville Methodist Church, Maplewood Parkway Methodist Church, Lake George Community Methodist Church, Wells Methodist Church and Mountain Community Methodist Church. Pray for us today, that we would faithfully live into our shared mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
We in the New York Adirondack district are eager to see many of you at Annual Conference in May. We encourage you to use these days of preparation to hear God’s Word and pray with us as we prepare to fan the flame that the Holy Spirit has kindled in us all.
Here is today’s focus Scripture passage from Romans 8:26-27:
26  In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what weought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordlessgroans.  27  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because theSpirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Today’s Prayer Focus
Despite all of our focus and all of our specificity in prayer, on this side of full redemption we often don’t know what we ought to pray for. We are unable to see through the present darkness into the reality of God’s future. Thankfully, the Spirit intercedes, carrying our trust in God to fruitfulness in prayer despite our weakness. Center your prayers this day on God’s will for the Northeast Annual Conference and for the Global Methodist Church, however unclear it may be.
Today’s Suggested Prayer
O Holy Spirit, our Advocate and our Guide,intercede for us in our weakness now.With the Apostle Paul, we see through the glass darkly;the way forward for your people is not always clear.Take from us our hopes for the Global Methodist Church,as well as our fears.We want our dreams for this new denominationto align with the will of God,and our worriesto have no part in the divine plan.We trust in you to use the fervency of our yearning to do God’s will,to cover over any weakness we have in discerning it.Reveal to us only that which is necessary for us to carry out your plans,and grant us faith to know that you intercede for useven where we know not.We ask this in the name of Christ,who promised us you would come. Amen.
You can find this prayer, and all the other prayers of the 27 Days, on the Conference website, northeastgmc.org.
May the Lord richly bless your faithful prayers. Amen.

Day 9 of "27-Day Prayer & Fasting Journey" with Rev. Gordon Edwards

Greetings in the name of Christ.  
My name is Gordon Edwards and I am the Presiding Elder of the New York City and New Jersey district(s) in the Northeast Conference of the Global Methodist Church. Welcome to Day 9 of 27 Days of Prayer as we prepare for our Annual Conference gathering on May 8-10 in Cortland, NY.
The one church of the New York City and New Jersey district(s) is located in the Bronx area of New York City in the State of New York. What I love about our district is our passion to plant new Global Methodist Churches in New York City and the Metro New Jersey areas. We are passionate about making disciples of Jesus Christ, providing the safe space in which people can come to a saving knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ. We are preparing ourselves to multiply disciples and plant four congregations in New York City - two in the Bronx (one in Queens and one in Island Park), and two in Northern New Jersey. Presently Our only church is Westchester Methodist Church in the Bronx, NY. Pray for us today, that we would faithfully live into our shared mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
We in the New York City and New Jersey district(s) are eager to see many of you at Annual Conference in May. We encourage you to use these days of preparation to hear God’s Word and pray with us as we prepare to fan the flame that the Holy Spirit has kindled in us all.  
Here is today’s focus Scripture passage from Numbers 21:4-9: 
4 They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; 5 they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”
6 Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. 7 The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.
8 The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.
This is the Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.
Today’s Prayer Focus
Moses prayed for the people who sinned by complaining against the Lord. He offered to them what the Lord said to provide – a bronze snake on a pole, lifted up high. Those who looked on it would live. Center your prayers this day on the support staff and volunteers who will serve in various capacities at Annual Conference, including hospitality, media, prayer, tech and worship. There will inevitably be hiccups in this process of being in community together, and some will complain. Pray for patience for all, and pray that all stay focused on Jesus, lifted high on a cross.
Today’s Suggested Prayer
O God, you created each of us in your image,and your Spirit gives to each the gifts necessaryfor the building up of your Body.We give you thanks for the staff and the volunteerswho will use their gifts to serve your people at Annual Conference.When events go awry in our time together,give patience to them and to those they serve.When things go well, give us all a heart of gratitude for your gracious hand of blessing,and for the simple acts of kindness we offer to each other.This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
You can find this prayer, and all the other prayers of the 27 Days, on the Conference website, northeastgmc.org.
May the Lord richly bless your faithful prayers. Amen.

Day 8 of "27-Day Prayer & Fasting Journey" with Rev. Joseph Saunders

Greetings in the name of Christ.
My name is Joseph Saunders and I am the Presiding Elder of the New England South and New England West district(s) in the Northeast Conference of the Global Methodist Church.  Welcome to Day 8 of 27 Days of Prayer as we prepare for our Annual Conference gathering on May 8-10 in Cortland, NY.
The 6 churches of the New England South and New England West district(s) are located in 4 state(s).   Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.  What I love about our districts are their rich historical histories of the Great Awakenings and other revivals, and the passion of these people currently in these churches within the Global Methodist Church to see it happen again.
Our churches are the Bakerville Church in Bakerville, CT, Christ Gobal Methodist Church in Lawrence, MA, Hillsboro Methodist Church in Hillsboro, NH,  Exeter Methodist Church in Exeter, NH, Lyndonville Methodist Church in Lyndonville, VT, and our newest Church is the New Star Church of Jesus Christ in Willington, CT. Pray for us today, that we would faithfully live into our shared mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
We in the New England South and New England West district(s) are eager to see many of you at Annual Conference in May.  We encourage you to use these days of preparation to hear God’s Word and pray with us as we prepare to fan the flame that the Holy Spirit has kindled in us all.  
Here is today’s focus Scripture passage from Matthew 26:36-41: 
36  Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”  37  He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.  38  Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39  Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40  Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter.  41  “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
This is the Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.
Today’s Prayer Focus
In the darkness of the Gethsemane hours, Jesus confesses his soul is overwhelmed. If a way other than the cross was possible, Jesus asked his Father for it. “Yet not as I will,” Jesus said to his Father, “but as you will.” Center your prayers this day on God’s will for your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to not only discern what God’s will is for you, but also for the resolve and the strength to do it. The spirit may be willing, but the flesh is weak.
Today’s Suggested Prayer (A Prayer for Service, from Our Great Redeemer’s Praise, Copyright © 2022 by Seedbed. #708.)
Govern everything by your wisdom, O Lord,so that my soul may always be serving youin the way you willand not as I choose.Let me die to myselfso that I may serve you;let me live to youwho are life itself. Amen.~ St. Teresa of Avila
You can find this prayer, and all the other prayers of the 27 Days, on the Conference website, northeastgmc.org.
May the Lord richly bless your faithful prayers. Amen.

Devotional for April 17, 2025 with Rev. Steven Taylor

Don't just celebrate Easter, live it! Join Rev. Steven Taylor in today's devotional as he encourages you to not rush through Holy Week but to be fully present in every powerful moment.
"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead..."
Ephesians 1:18–20a (NIV)

Day 7 of "27-Day Prayer & Fasting Journey" with Rev. Hyoung Yung Choi

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ!
안녕하세요. 예수 그리스도의 이름으로 문안드립니다.
My name is Rev. HyungYong Choi, and I serve as the Presiding Elder of the New England East District in the Northeast Conference of the Global Methodist Church. Welcome to Day 7 of our 27 Days of Prayer as we prepare our hearts for the Annual Conference gathering this May 8–10 in Cortland, New York. 
In the New England East District, we are blessed with three churches, located throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Maine. What I love most about our district is how God has brought together a beautifully diverse group of people with one heart—to follow Jesus and spread scriptural holiness. Despite our differences and different contexts, each church is passionate about the gospel, faithful in prayer, and committed to mission.
Here are the churches we invite you to pray for today:
- Vida Abundante Global Methodist Church in Providence, Rhode Island – located at 689 Cranston Street.
- Boston New Hope Global Methodist Church in Reading, Massachusetts.
- Cressey Road Christian Church in Gorham, Maine.
In addition to these churches, we are excited to share that there is a new candidate in our district who feels called to plant a church in Boston. His name is Samaila A. Wada. Please pray for him—that God would guide and equip him as he steps out in faith to answer this missional calling. Please lift up all of these churches and leaders in prayer today, that we may faithfully live into our shared mission: to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
We in the New England East District are eager to gather with you all in May. These 27 days are an opportunity for us to open our hearts to God’s Word and prepare to fan into flame the gift of the Holy Spirit that is alive in each of us.
Let us now hear the Words of God from Luke 18:9–14:
9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable:10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
This is the Word of God for people of God. Thanks be to God.
Today’s Prayer Focus
Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector speaks to the perils of being confident in one’s own righteousness. The sinner who knows his sin is closer to justification than the sinner who is pridefully unaware. Center your prayers this day on the mission field of the lost. Pray for the Spirit to work in the hearts of those who feel they are righteous because of their deeds. Pray for the Spirit to draw those who stand at a distance closer to Jesus, and to receive the assurance of the mercy they seek.
Today’s Suggested Prayer
Lord God, Shepherd of the lost sheep,Father of the lost son.You rejoice in heavenwhen that which was dead is now alive,when that which was lost is now found.I lift up to you now [name(s)],who is far from you.By your grace,give (him/her) ears to hear your call in the night,eyes to see your hand of mercy reaching out in love.Soften (his/her) heart to receive your grace.Do this so that heaven will rejoicewhen one sinner repents.We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
You can find this prayer, and all the other prayers of the 27 Days, on the Conference website, northeastgmc.org.
May the Lord richly bless your faithful prayers. Amen.

Day 6 of "27-Day Prayer & Fasting Journey" with Rev. Sharon Lowans

Greetings in the name of Christ.
My name is Rev. Sharon Lowans, I am pastor of Butler’s Chapel Church and I am the Presiding Elder of the Maryland-West Virginia district in the Northeast Conference of the Global Methodist Church. Welcome to Day 6 of 27 Days of Prayer as we prepare for our Annual Conference gathering on May 8-10 in Cortland, NY.
The six churches of the Maryland-West Virginia district are located in both the western part of the state of Maryland and in the East Panhandle of West Virginia. What I love about our district, beyond the beauty of the landscape all across western Maryland and in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia with the mountains and valleys that have quaint small towns and rural communities, are the local church leaders and the wonderful people that make up our congregations and who are faithfully answering the call through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, to multiply disciples of Jesus Christ throughout our communities who flourish in scriptural holiness as we worship passionately, love extravagantly, and witness boldly. It has been exciting to see God leading in each of our churches and to see answers to prayers so many times. Praise the Lord! Although we are located at the most southern tip of the Northeast Conference, we are enthusiastic about being a part of this vast and diverse conference and for being “in connection” with so many others around the world through this holiness movement called the Global Methodist Church.
Our churches are Butler’s Chapel Church of Martinsburg, West Virginia; Davis Memorial Methodist Church, of Cumberland, Maryland; Faith and Friends Global Methodist Church of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia; Mt. Zion Orleans Community Church, of Great Cacapon, West Virginia; New Covenant Methodist Church, of Cumberland, Maryland and Parkhead Union Church of Big Pool, Maryland. Pray for us today, that we would faithfully live into our shared mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
We, in the Maryland-West Virginia district, are eager to see many of you at Annual Conference in May. We encourage you to use these days of preparation to hear God’s Word and pray with us as we prepare to fan the flame that the Holy Spirit has kindled in us all.
Here is today’s focus Scripture passage from Mark 11:20-25:
Hear now the Word of the Lord:
20  In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots.  21  Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” 22  “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.  23  “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.  24  Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25  And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Today’s Prayer Focus
Jesus looked for fruit on a fruitless tree. Finding none, he declared that none would ever eat fruit from that tree again. And the tree withered. Center your prayers this day on the fruit Christ wishes the Global Methodist Church to bear. Pray for increased vitality in the churches already in the Northeast Annual Conference. Pray for church planters to be lifted up so that many hundreds, even thousands of new churches will be started in our region. Pray that all our churches would bear fruit and would spread scriptural holiness through this land. “Believe that you have received it,” Jesus said, “and it will be yours.”
Today’s Suggested Prayer
O Lord, Creator of heaven and earth,your divine plan for us was a Garden in which to dwell,a place filled with trees of every kind,each bearing fruit, good for food.Yet we turned away from your Word,and listened to words not of your Spirit.In many corners of creation,your church now ceases to bear fruit.In your mercy, cultivate again in usa hunger for the fruit of your Spirit.Lift up church planters in the Northeast,so that many more congregations may sprout and grow.Use the Global Methodist Churchto spread scriptural holiness through this land,so that all may yearn to dwell in the Garden of your grace.We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
You can find this prayer, and all the other prayers of the 27 Days, on the Conference website, northeastgmc.org.
May the Lord richly bless your faithful prayers. Amen.

Day 5 of "27-Day Prayer & Fasting Journey" with Rev. Faith Wilkerson

Greetings in the name of Christ.
My name is Faith Wilkerson and I am the Presiding Elder of the Maryland Central district in the Northeast Conference of the Global Methodist Church. Welcome to Day 5 of 27 Days of Prayer as we prepare for our Annual Conference gathering on May 8-10 in Cortland, NY. 
The five churches of the Maryland Central district are located in the middle of the state of Maryland. What I love about our district is it spans from the top, in the north, on the Pennsylvania border, all the way down to the southernmost part of Maryland. Our churches have a diverse grouping that includes a church that meets in a storefront, a church that meets in a firehouse, and more traditional church locations. Our churches are Community With A Cause, Lighthouse Fellowship, Cedar Grove, Brandenburg, and Fairview. Pray for us today, that we would faithfully live into our shared mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
We in the Maryland Central district are eager to see many of you at Annual Conference in May. We encourage you to use these days of preparation to hear God’s Word and pray with us as we prepare to fan the flame that the Holy Spirit has kindled in us all.
Here is today’s focus Scripture passage from Exodus 32:30-32:
30  The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. But now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” 31  So Moses went back to the LORD and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold.  32  But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.”
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Today’s Prayer Focus
Moses’ prayer for the sins of his people reveals the depths of his solidarity with them. If they cannot be forgiven, then he, too, wishes to be blotted out of God’s book. Center your prayers this day on those priestly shepherds who, like Moses, are concerned for their people and willing to pray mightily for them. Pray for pastors of the GMC churches in the Northeast Annual Conference, and especially those who will be ordained this year. Pray that they will be persons who will live out their calling with integrity.
Today’s Suggested Prayer (For the Clergy Leadership of the Church, from This Day: A Wesleyan Way of Prayer, by Laurence Hull Stookey. Copyright © 2004 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission. p. 143.)
God of grace:To all clergy who have taken responsibilityfor the care of your church,give a love for the people of Godequal to a love of the Gospel.Let not discouragement or spiritual wearinessovertake themand no temptation be put in their waythat they cannot resist.Enable them to trust youand to serve you with gladnessall the days of their lives,through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
You can find this prayer, and all the other prayers of the 27 Days, on the Conference website, northeastgmc.org.
May the Lord richly bless your faithful prayers. Amen.

Day 4 of "27-Day Prayer & Fasting Journey" with Rev. Rob Townsend

Greetings in the name of Christ.  
My name is Rob Townsend and I am the Presiding Elder of the Maryland North district in the Northeast Conference of the Global Methodist Church.  Welcome to Day 4 of 27 Days of Prayer as we prepare for our Annual Conference gathering on May 8-10 in Cortland, NY.
The 10 churches of the Maryland North district are located in Cecil and Kent Counties in the state of Maryland.  What I love about our district is we are in God’s Country of the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Prayer from here is a local call to the Lord. We are very close together and have been doing ministry together for a long time. There is quite a bit of fruit produced from our work together and we are grateful for the trust in each other God has blessed us with.
Our churches are 
▪ Bethel Church North East
▪ Ebenezer Church
▪ Leeds Church
▪ Moores Chapel
▪ Rock Hall Methodist Church
▪ Shelemiah Church
▪ St Johns Lewisville Church
▪ Union Community Church
▪ Wesley Chapel of Rock Hall
▪ Wesley Church of Elkton
Pray for us today, that we would faithfully live into our shared mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
We in the Maryland North district are eager to see many of you at Annual Conference in May.  We encourage you to use these days of preparation to hear God’s Word and pray with us as we prepare to fan the flame that the Holy Spirit has kindled in us all.  
Here is today’s focus Scripture passage from Psalm 118:19-29: 
19 Open for me the gates of the righteous;    I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.20 This is the gate of the Lord    through which the righteous may enter.21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;    you have become my salvation.
22 The stone the builders rejected    has become the cornerstone;23 the Lord has done this,    and it is marvelous in our eyes.24 The Lord has done it this very day;    let us rejoice today and be glad.
25 Lord, save us!    Lord, grant us success!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.    From the house of the Lord we bless you.27 The Lord is God,    and he has made his light shine on us.With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession    up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will praise you;    you are my God, and I will exalt you.
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;    his love endures forever.
This is the Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.
Today’s Prayer Focus
The word Hosanna comes from the Hebrew word for “save us” in Psalm 118:25. This is what the crowds in Jerusalem shouted when Jesus entered the city on Palm Sunday. Importantly, Jesus did not live in Jerusalem. He was a visitor. In fact, many in the crowd were also visitors to the Holy City, there from faraway places to observe the Passover Feast. Center your prayers this day on the delegates and observers who will be traveling from distant places to Annual Conference in Cortland, New York. Pray also for the worshiping congregation of Grace Christian Fellowship, our gracious hosts for this event. 
Today’s Suggested Prayer 
Lord, you know our going out and our coming in,and you know the journeys we must take to do your will.Guide those who will soon travel to Cortland, New York.Calm any anxieties each may have about the cares of work and homethat for a short while must be left behind.Speed each along the way without undue delay or trouble.Let each be fully present upon arrivalto do the work of this Annual Conference.So, too, bless the labor of Grace Christian Fellowship,that their hospitality to pilgrims in needbe richly rewarded by you,for they saw strangers, and welcomed themand blessed those who come in your name.In that name we pray. Amen.
You can find this prayer, and all the other prayers of the 27 Days, on the Conference website, northeastgmc.org.
May the Lord richly bless your faithful prayers. Amen.

Day 3 of "27-Day Prayer & Fasting Journey" with Rev. Karen Handy

Greetings in the name of Christ. 
My name is Karen Handy and I am the Presiding Elder of the Maryland East district in the Northeast Conference of the Global Methodist Church. Welcome to Day 3 of 27 Days of Prayer as we prepare for our Annual Conference gathering on May 8-10 in Cortland, NY.
The 11 churches of the Maryland East district are located on the Eastern Shore of the state of Maryland. What I love about our district is the hometown love that is shared where neighbors are friends and friends are neighbors. This area is dotted with quaint and historical towns and cities and the landscape is filled with farmland and waterways. You cannot beat the Maryland seafood (crabs, oysters, rockfish found in our area. This is our own piece of heaven. Our churches are Centreville Methodist Church, Kent Island Methodist Church, St. Luke’s Methodist Church, Bethesda Methodist Church of Preston, Tilghman Methodist Church, Grace Methodist Church of Cambridge, Asbury Methodist Church of Sharptown, Mt. Vernon Global Methodist Church, Snethen Church, Christ Methodist Church, Asbury @ Mt. Vernon. Pray for us today, that we would faithfully live into our shared mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
We in the Maryland East district are eager to see many of you at Annual Conference in May. We encourage you to use these days of preparation to hear God’s Word and pray with us as we prepare to fan the flame that the Holy Spirit has kindled in us all.
Here is today’s focus Scripture passage from Luke 18:1-8: 
1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Today’s Prayer Focus
Jesus told this parable of the Persistent Widow to encourage faithfulness in prayer, even when our requests seem unanswered and our search for justice unrequited. Center your prayers this day on all those around the world who long to align with the Global Methodist Church but are unable to do so because of legal or financial impediments. Pray persistently!
Today’s Suggested Prayer (This Day: A Wesleyan Way of Prayer, by Laurence Hull Stookey. Copyright © 2004 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission. p. 151, alt.)
God, righteous and enduring:Look with pity upon thosewho grow weary and discouraged in their search for justice.When it seems to them that nothing ever changes for the better,that the forces of evil will always prevail,remind them that you, the Almighty, have endurednot years or decades of resistance,but whole centuries and indeed millennia.Yet you promise that your righteousness will triumph,that evil will collapse.Save the tired strivers after freedom and fairnessfrom the doom of Sisyphus:daily hoisting a mighty rock up a high hill,only to have it tumble down again.Assure them that the stones they move,by grace will be assembled into a house of righteousnessupon the highest of the mountains,and that all peoples on earth shall stream to it,that all may walk in the ways of the Lord.Grant this through Jesus, the chief foundation stone. Amen.
You can find this prayer, and all the other prayers of the 27 Days, on the Conference website, northeastgmc.org.
May the Lord richly bless your faithful prayers. Amen.