Annual Conference Prayer Guide
Wabash and New South Conferences will be joining together for a combined Annual Conference on June 3-4, 2022 in Evansville IN. This is an annual event when pastors and lay leaders gather together for worship, teaching, and inspiration. Superintendent John Lane and Bishop Keith Cowart will both be preaching.
Pastor Kristen has put together a 14-day Prayer Guide for all Wabash and New South pastors, delegates and lay people to use as we lead up to Annual Conference. Today is Day 4 of the Prayer Guide, and you're invited to join in. You can find Days 4-14 listed below for your prayer time!
day 4 - may 26
Pray that God would turn the hearts of every Wabash and New South church to their neighbors and community, reminding us of Jesus’ words, “As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” (Jn 20.21) Pray that Wabash and New South churches would “promote the welfare of the city where I have sent you… Pray to the Lord for it, because your future depends on its welfare.” (Jer 29.7)
day 5 - may 27
Pray for a renewed commitment to discipleship in every Wabash and New South church. Pray that as disciples make more disciples, new lay leaders would arise who are committed to Kingdom work. Pray that our churches would reflect Paul’s words that God “gave some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. His purpose was to equip God’s people for the work of serving and building up the body of Christ until we all reach the unity of faith and knowledge of God’s Son. God’s goal is for us to become mature adults—to be fully grown, measured by the standard of the fullness of Christ.” (Eph 4.11-13)
day 6 - may 28
Pray that as we focus on the Free Methodist Way at AC, the hearts and minds of every leader and member would be encouraged. Pray specifically that life-giving holiness would characterize our leaders, churches, and ministries. Pray that “every believer would embrace the transforming work of the Holy Spirit that empowers us to love and serve God and others in joyful obedience,” (FM Way) recognizing that unless we pursue holiness. “no one will see the Lord without it.” (Heb 12.14)
day 7 - may 29
Pray for love-driven justice to be at the heart of our ministries, recognizing “love is the way we demonstrate God’s heart for justice by valuing the image of God in all men, women, and children, acting with compassion toward the oppressed, resisting oppression, and stewarding Creation.” (FM Way) Pray that our churches would be characterized by what God has told us “what is good and what the Lord requires from you: to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God.” (Mic 6.8)
day 8 - may 30
Pray that we would experience Christ-compelled multiplication and “see God’s kingdom expand exponentially as ordinary people are equipped by God’s power to do extraordinary things” throughout Wabash and New South. (FM Way) Pray for wisdom and insight for conference leaders on the Wabash/New South Church Multiplication Task Force, but also for every pastor and leader to commit to multiplication, so that God’s word will continue to spread and flourish, to grow and be multiplied. (Acts 12.24)
day 9 - may 31
Pray that our conference churches would better reflect God’s Kingdom, being filled and led by every nation, tribe, people, and language. (Rev 7.9) Pray that we would be careful listeners and willing learners from our sisters and brothers, as we commit to cross-cultural collaboration. Pray for Pastor Isaac Bujambi, and our growing Congolese congregations, as well as our Hispanic and African-American congregations. Pray that we truly might become “better together.” (FM Way)
day 10 - june 1
Pray that we would continue to build upon the foundation of God-given revelation, recognizing “the Bible is the inspired Word of God and our final authority in all matters of faith and practice.” (FM Way) Pray that as Free Methodists we would “fully align our lives and our movement on the unshakeable foundation of God’s Word” that is “useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character, so that the person who belongs to God can be equipped to do everything that is good.” (2 Tim 3.16-17)
day 11 - june 2
Pray that the hearts and minds of every pastor, every delegate, and every church member would be awoken to hope and dream again about what God is desiring to do in this coming year. Pray that the Lord would do a new thing, “making a way in the desert [and] paths in the wilderness.” (Isa 43.19) Pray that we might boldly ask the Lord to do his Kingdom work in and through us that “that no eye has seen, or ear has heard, or that haven’t crossed the mind of any human being.” (1 Cor 2.9)
day 12 - june 3
Pray for safety and traveling mercies for each individual traveling to AC. Pray that as Wabash and New South gather together for the first time at AC, Kingdom relationships would be established. Pray the words of Jesus that “they will be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. I pray that they also will be in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me” (Jn 17.21) and be a beautiful example of “how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (Ps 133.1)
day 13 - june 4
Pray for the new leaders of Wabash and New South conferences - the LMCs, CMCs and ordained elders. Pray that God’s power would strengthen them, that God’s grace would fill them, and that God’s Great Commands and Commission would guide them. Pray that all existing elders would recommit to their ordination vows and responsibilities with renewed Kingdom passion and integrity, “watch[ing] yourselves and the whole flock, in which the Holy Spirit has placed you as supervisors, to shepherd God’s church, which he obtained with the death of his own Son.” (Acts 20.28)
day 14 - june 5
Pray for all the churches in Wabash and New South conferences. Pray that those who are experiencing transition would be open to God’s work and newly appointed leadership. Pray that all churches would, with renewed focus, live into Jesus’ prayer that the Lord would bring in God’s kingdom so that God’s will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven. (Mt 6.10)
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Starting in June, we will be digging in deep asking the question, What does it mean to be Free Methodist? Recently the Free Methodist Bishops outlined 5 values of Free Methodists, and we'll consider each of those values. Our roots as an abolitionist, justice-minded movement focused on personal and social holiness continues yet today, and which you'll see as we discover together the Free Methodist Way.
