John Wesley said, “God does nothing
except in response to believing prayer.” For the last 13 weeks, Isaiah 58, In His Service has been putting feet to our prayers. We
started on July 4th at Woodward Park where we prayed for our
ministry, our nation and the future of our Sunday morning prayer time. Our
heart’s desire was to truly travel the city and cover every inch in prayer.
In July we
went to the Education Center and prayed for our students, teachers and support
staff. Then to Maybelle Bridge and we
prayed for our homeless and those who work with them.
On July 31st
we gathered at Reconciliation Park and prayed for our local and national
elections, politicians and leaders; we prayed for us to be reconciled with our
brothers and sisters and to firmly place Hope between hostility and humiliation.
In August we
went to David L. Moss and prayed for the inmates, the Sheriff’s department, the
guards, Police Chief Chuck Jordan and Sheriff Vic Regalado. On the 14th
we were at the Tulsa Housing Authority and we prayed for those in subsidized
housing and those who work for THA, DHS and the Health Dept. The next Sunday we
were at Life Senior Services and we prayed for our seniors, in assisted living,
nursing homes and living alone and we prayed for everyone who works and
volunteers with them. On the 28th we were in the parking lot of
First Baptist Church and we prayed for the poor and for our churches to be
inspired to do lasting and life changing outreach for the poor in our
community.
In September
we asked you to step outside your front door and pray for your neighbors. On
September 11th we took some of our Comanche Park kids to visit Fire
Station 7 to say “thank you.” We even took some delicious Icing on the Top cupcakes
as a gift. We toured the fire station and prayed for our city’s first
responders, fire, police and medical. On the 18th we asked you to
pray for those who you said you would pray for and never got around to it. We
gave you a “do over” day. On the 25th
you were invited to Prayer Drive, Prayer Walk and Prayer Sit for our city
wherever God led you that day.
On September
16th our city stood still. It happened to us. A member of our
community was shot and killed by a police officer and we were thrust into the
national media spotlight.
But, what
has happened in other cities did not happen in Tulsa. There was no violence, no
senseless destruction of property. The
Metropolitan Baptist Church opened wide its doors and invited – everyone –
inside to mourn and wail and cry – together.
And in we went.
Isaiah 58, In His service outreach
of prayer was intentional and divinely guided. We had no idea what lie ahead of
us, but God did. We still do not know
what is before us, but we know we must remain on our knees in earnest prayer.
We believe
we must pray continuously. We are looking for a Sunday or Monday night
gathering place to come together and pray. It will be an open invitation to any
and all to come and join us. Even if only two of us show up in person, we are
reminded that where two or more are gathered, God is in our midst. We want to
pray for you and those you care about because God hears and answers.
"The
prayer power has never been tried to its full capacity. If we want to see
mighty wonders of divine power and grace wrought in the place of weakness,
failure and disappointment, let us answer God's standing challenge, "Call
unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which
thou knowest not!'" (J. Hudson Taylor)
Know that
you are prayed for.
In His
service,
deni A.
fholer
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