Day 2 of "27-Day Prayer & Fasting Journey" with Rev. Kari Jones

Greetings in the name of Christ.  

My name is Kari Jones and I am the Presiding Elder of the Delaware district in the Northeast Conference of the Global Methodist Church. Welcome to Day 2 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 Delaware district are located at the very top to the very bottom of our small but mighty state. Delaware has three counties with Wilmington, our only city, in the northern part of the state. Delaware is sprinkled with lots of towns, both suburban and rural, with farms in between. Let’s not forget our beautiful beaches - Rehoboth, Dewey, Bethany, and Fenwick, where people from all over come for their vacation. What I love about Delaware is that when you talk to someone you don’t know, within a degree or two of separation, we have common friends. And so, the Delaware District comprises the whole state - a driving distance of just over 2 hours from top to bottom. 

Our churches are Atonement Global Methodist Church in Claymont, Christ the Cornerstone - 2 locations in Bear and Elsmere, Connection Community Church in Middletown, Cheswold and Immanual-Union Methodist in Cheswold, Downs Chapel in Clayton, Harbeson Methodist in Harbeson, and Mariner’s Bethel Global Methodist in Ocean View. 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 Delaware 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 Nehemiah 1:4-11: 

4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. 5 Then I said:

“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. 7 We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

8 “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’

10 “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. 11 Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”

I was cupbearer to the king."

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

Today’s Prayer Focus

In seeking the restoration of his people, Nehemiah asked God to hear not only his prayers, but also the prayers “of your servants who delight in revering your name.” We do not pray alone in this holy task. Center your prayers this day on your fellow laborers in the vineyard who are praying and fasting with you this season. Pray for unity of purpose among the people of the Northeast Annual Conference. 

Today’s Suggested Prayer (The Worship Sourcebook, © 2004, Faith Alive Christian  Resources, S.4.4.4, p. 736, alt.)

Lord God,
we thank you for calling us
into the company of those who trust in Christ
and seek to obey his will.
You have made us strangers no longer
but pilgrims together on the way to your kingdom.
Guide us closer to you and to one another
in the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace,
and strengthen us together
in mission and service to your world,
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.