Day 15 of "27-Day Prayer & Fasting Journey" with Rev. PJ Pasieka

Greetings in the name of Christ. 

My name is P.J. Pasieka and I am the Presiding Elder of the New York Jamestown district in the Northeast Conference of the Global Methodist Church.  Welcome to Day 15 of 27 Days of Prayer as we prepare for our Annual Conference gathering on May 8-10 in Cortland, NY.

The Eleven churches of the New York Jamestown district are located in the Western part of New York.  What I love about our district is the love, partnership, support  and friendship we have among our pastors and leaders. It is a great feeling to know that, while we are serving in different locations and contexts, we are all on the same team, striving to make and equip disciples of our Lord, Jesus. 

The churches of the Jamestown district are: Bemus Point, Charlotte Center, East Randolph, Gerry, Grace Gathering, Kidder Memorial, Little Valley/Bridge of Hope, Napoli, Park Church, Trinity Church, and Wheeler Hill. 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 Jamestown 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 all of us. 

Today’s Scripture passage is 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22, where the Apostle Paul writes this…

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.

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

Today’s Prayer Focus

Paul encourages the church to get along when it gathers. He asks that those who work hard for the church be acknowledged by the church. He encourages patience, a diligence in doing good for each other, and ceaseless prayer and thanks. Center your prayers this day on those who will lead during Annual Conference in May. Pray for Bishop Leah Gregory and Conference Superintendent Steve Taylor, and all those who will preach and teach before the gathered church. Pray that their hard work will be rewarded with a rich harvest.

Today’s Suggested Prayer

O Lord, as your Spirit anointed your servants through the ages, setting them apart for the divine tasks to which you called them, so send your Spirit now upon those who will step out into the public places of Annual Conference. Anoint Bishop Leah Gregory, and Conference Superintendent Steve Taylor, and all those called to share your message of hope with the people of the Northeast Annual Conference.

Open the hearts and minds of those they will serve,
so that your Spirit not be quenched,
and so that the words of their mouths
and the meditations of their hearts,
are acceptable in your sight,
and edifying to your people.

This we ask in the name of Christ. 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.