Day 25 of "27-Day Prayer & Fasting Journey" with Rev. Richard Morris

Greetings in the name of Christ.

My name is Richard Morris, and I am the presiding elder of the Pennsylvania Southwest District in the Northeast Conference of the Global Methodist Church. Welcome to Day 25 of 27 Days of Prayer as we prepare for our annual conference gathering on May 8th and 5th in Cortland, New York.

The 10 churches of the Pennsylvania Southwest District are located in the southwest central part of the state of Pennsylvania. What I love about our district is the variety of ministry settings, from the very rural to small town to inner city. Our churches are Bedford Methodist, Bellwood Cross of Calvary, First Church Greencastle, the Harrisonville Churches, Hicks Memorial Methodist Church, Second Avenue Global Methodist, Tyrone Good Shepherd, and Warriors Mark Methodist Churches. 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 Pennsylvania Southwest 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 Acts 2, verses 1-4.

"¹When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."

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

Today’s Prayer Focus

This is what we desire. This is what we have been praying and fasting for these past many days, for God to pour out His Spirit on all flesh. This is what Peter said was happening at that first Pentecost long ago as described in the second chapter of Acts. Center your prayers this day on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Pray for the Holy Spirit to come with a mighty wind and with tongues of fire on the people of the Northeast Annual Conference this week. Ask for power so that we can, like the first disciples, boldly go and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.

Today’s Suggested Prayer

Here is today's suggested prayer. Let us pray.

Come, Holy Spirit. As you hovered over the waters of creation, ready to form the earth and the world with the speaking of the word, so hover over the people of the Northeast Annual Conference, poised and ready to move, as this new movement of your church takes its next steps.

Come, Holy Spirit, as you breathe life into the dry bones of your people so that they could once again stand tall, so breathe upon us in the Northeast Annual Conference that we, too, may be fashioned into a great army ready to do your will. 

Come, Holy Spirit. As you came upon your disciples gathered together in one place, with the sound of a rushing wind and with tongues of fire, so send your power upon the Northeast Annual Conference, as your disciples gather together in one place, so that we might pour out into the streets and proclaim your mighty works with boldness.

In the name of Christ, come, Holy Spirit. Amen.

You can find this prayer, and all the other prayers of these 27 Days, on the Conference website, northeastgmc.org.

May the Lord richly bless your faithful prayers. Amen.