Day 17 of "27-Day Prayer & Fasting Journey" with Rev. Rick LaDue

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

My name is Rick LaDue and I am the Presiding Elder of the New York Rochester district in the Northeast Conference of the Global Methodist Church. Welcome to Day 17 of 27 Days of Prayer as we prepare for our Annual Conference gathering on May 8-10 in Cortland, NY.

The 7 churches of the New York Rochester district are located in the western part of the state of New York surrounding the city of Rochester.  I grew up here and I love the unique geography that includes the port on Lake Ontario, the locks along the Erie Canal and the waterfalls and rapids that make up the Genesee River.  I respect the rich history here where two civil rights leaders, Frederick Douglas and Susan B. Anthony, lived and transformed America.  And, if you’ve never had a garbage plate, well, you need to stop in and find out what you’ve been missing.  (Also, to be honest, I could do without the winters.)  What I love about our district churches is that we are all like-minded in orthodox theology.  There is unity in having survived the disaffiliation process together and come out healthier on the other side.

Our churches are Clyde, Farmington, Hamlin, Kendall, North Ontario, Rose and Webster (where I serve).  Please 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 Rochester 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 6: verses 5-8:

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

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

Today’s Prayer Focus

Prayer is for God’s ears, not so that other people will hear and admire our fine words. Polished language and long, babbling prayers are not what God desires. Powerful prayer is often prayer done in secret. Center your prayers this day on those who will be praying behind the scenes at Annual Conference. Pray for spiritual strength for those volunteers on the Northeast Conference Prayer and Intercession Team. You may not always see them, for they will often be in the rooms at Conference dedicated to prayer, but they will be praying for you.

Today’s Suggested Prayer

O God, who hears before we ask,
lift up those called to the ministry of prayer at Annual Conference.
Grant boldness and courage
to those who will stand in the gap,
to those who will intercede for others,
Grant that they will pray with authority,
yet humbly recognize the source of all spiritual power.
Give them the faith to know that you hear,
and the trust to know that your will shall be done.
Clothe them with the full armor of God,
so that the flaming darts of the evil one do not harm them.
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.