Day 8 of "27-Day Prayer & Fasting Journey" with Rev. Joseph Saunders

Greetings in the name of Christ.

My name is Joseph Saunders and I am the Presiding Elder of the New England South and New England West district(s) in the Northeast Conference of the Global Methodist Church.  Welcome to Day 8 of 27 Days of Prayer as we prepare for our Annual Conference gathering on May 8-10 in Cortland, NY.

The 6 churches of the New England South and New England West district(s) are located in 4 state(s).   Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.  What I love about our districts are their rich historical histories of the Great Awakenings and other revivals, and the passion of these people currently in these churches within the Global Methodist Church to see it happen again.

Our churches are the Bakerville Church in Bakerville, CT, Christ Gobal Methodist Church in Lawrence, MA, Hillsboro Methodist Church in Hillsboro, NH,  Exeter Methodist Church in Exeter, NH, Lyndonville Methodist Church in Lyndonville, VT, and our newest Church is the New Star Church of Jesus Christ in Willington, CT. 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 England South and New England West district(s) 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 26:36-41: 

36  Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”  37  He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.  38  Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39  Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40  Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter.  41  “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

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

Today’s Prayer Focus

In the darkness of the Gethsemane hours, Jesus confesses his soul is overwhelmed. If a way other than the cross was possible, Jesus asked his Father for it. “Yet not as I will,” Jesus said to his Father, “but as you will.” Center your prayers this day on God’s will for your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to not only discern what God’s will is for you, but also for the resolve and the strength to do it. The spirit may be willing, but the flesh is weak.

Today’s Suggested Prayer (A Prayer for Service, from Our Great Redeemer’s Praise, Copyright © 2022 by Seedbed. #708.)

Govern everything by your wisdom, O Lord,
so that my soul may always be serving you
in the way you will
and not as I choose.
Let me die to myself
so that I may serve you;
let me live to you
who are life itself. Amen.
~ St. Teresa of Avila

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.