Day 12 of "27-Day Prayer & Fasting Journey with Rev. Katie Zettle

Greetings in the name of Christ.

My name is Katie Zettle and I am the Presiding Elder of the New York Buffalo district in the Northeast Conference of the Global Methodist Church.  Welcome to Day 12 of 27 Days of Prayer as we prepare for our Annual Conference gathering on May 8-10 in Cortland, NY.

The 9 churches of the New York Buffalo district are located in the Western part of the state of New York. What I love about our district is the water that surrounds us from Lake Ontario to the Buffalo River and Lake Erie all the way to the Mighty Niagara Falls. The water is reminder of the beauty of God’s creation and the connection to living, moving water. Our churches and their pastors are seeking to live into the Global Methodist Church through providing spiritual hope and renewed passion in proclaiming Christ’s Living water through worship, prayer, small groups and ministries in each community, in the country and the world. We are people who are intentionally seeking to become more Christ-like, by the power of the Holy Spirit transforming us in our daily living for the Glory of God and the gain of one more person reached with Good News of Jesus as we build the Kingdom of God. 

Our churches are: 

Alabama-Basom GMC, 

Clarence GMC, 

Darien Disciple GMC, 

Exley Community Church. 

Following Jesus at Harris Hill, 

Hartland Corners Methodist Church, 

Indian Falls GMC, 

Olcott Beach Church, 

Tonawanda GMC. 

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 Buffalo 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 24:28-35: 

28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

This is the Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Today’s Prayer Focus

The two disciples on the road to Emmaus encounter the risen Lord, but do not recognize him. Only when Jesus is at the table with them, and the bread is broken, are their eyes opened. The power of a shared meal is often underappreciated. At Annual Conference there will be many opportunities for friends, and strangers, to share a meal together. Center your prayers today on those fellowship opportunities, that eyes will be opened for all to recognize in each other the face of Christ.

Today’s Suggested Prayer (The Worship Sourcebook, © 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources, N.1.4.14, p. 635, alt.)

Stay with us, Blessed Stranger, for the day is far spent,
and we have not recognized your face
in each of our brothers and sisters.
Stay with us, Blessed Stranger, for the day is far spent,
and we have not yet shared your bread in grace
with our brothers and sisters.
Stay with us, Blessed Stranger, for the day is far spent,
and we have not listened to your Word
in the words of our brothers and sisters.
Stay with us, Blessed Stranger, because our very night
becomes day when you are there. 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.