Distance Prayer Coordinators

Serving as a Distance Prayer Coordinator

Due to the fact that some of our BAGBR churches are up to an hour's drive or more away, we have set up a system whereby members of those churches can become BAGBR prayer coordinators and stay plugged in with the BAGBR Prayer Ministry, even if they're unable to drive in for meetings.

A Distance Prayer Coordinator is, by definition, someone who would like to serve as a prayer coordinator with the BAGBR Prayer Ministry, but lives too far away to be able to drive in for our monthly meetings. Distance Prayer Coordinators will keep up to date with the latest news and events of the prayer ministry via e-mail, this web site, and by joining the "Pray BAGBR" Facebook page.

Distance Prayer Coordinators will check in with Associational Prayer Coordinator, Michelle Lesley, via e-mail at least once a month by the end of the month to keep us abreast of how things are going at their churches. They are encouraged to share:

• Prayer needs for their churches- It could be a spiritual need, such as, "Please pray for more people to have a burden for prayer," or "Please pray for forgiveness in a certain situation in my church." Or it could be for a more tangible need, such as a larger building for the church, more nursery workers, a pianist, etc.

• Ways they see God moving in their churches and/or answers to prayer.

• Special prayer events taking place at their churches or in their communities.

• New ideas for prayer initiatives which other prayer coordinators might want to implement, prayer initiatives that God is using in their churches, or how their churches are participating in a special prayer event that has been announced by the BAGBR Prayer Ministry (such as Call 2 Fall, National Day of Prayer, etc.)

The Associational Prayer Coordinator will gather these e-mails at the end of the month and take them to the monthly meeting to let the other prayer coordinators know how our Distance Prayer Coordinators are doing and how they can pray for them and their churches.

If you would like to serve in the BAGBR Prayer Ministry as a Distance Prayer Coordinator, please contact Associational Prayer Coordinator, Michelle Lesley, at praybagbr@yahoo.com.

Pray As You Go

If you pass by one of our BAGBR churches as you're driving around town, take a moment and say a brief word of prayer for that church and its pastor. It's a great way to lift up our pastors and churches other than just in your designated prayer time, and also helps in our quest to "pray without ceasing" (I Thessalonians 5:17).

You can also lift up our brothers and sisters at churches of other denominations you pass. And, on a road trip, pray for all the churches along your route. It sure beats the license plate game! Get the whole family involved-- it's a fun and easy way to teach your children or grandchildren the importance of prayer.

Not sure how to pray for a pastor or church you're not familiar with? Try praying:

For the pastor:

• Wisdom and discernment
• That God would protect his study and prayer time from interruption
• Health
• That God would protect his family from Satan's attacks
• Encouragment from his congregation
• Godly strength to stand firm against temptation
• That he would be a Godly husband and father

For the church:

• That God would root out any corporate sin and worldliness that has taken hold
• That God would stir more people to pray and study their Bibles
• Unity
• Passion for the things of God
• A Godly desire to serve
• That God would protect the worship service from distractions
• Revival
• Biblical literacy

So get your motor runnin', get out on the highway, and pray, pray, pray!

November 2011

November 7: Baptist Women's World Day of Prayer

"Every year on the first Monday of November, Baptist women around the world gather to pray for each other and give to support projects that improve the lives of women and children."

For more information, see- http://nabwu.org/Day_of_Prayer.html


November 13: International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

"There are many countries in the world today where Christians are martyred for their faith...The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is a time set apart for us to remember thousands of our Christian brothers and sisters around the world who suffer persecution, simply because they confess Jesus Christ as Lord."

For more information, see- http://idop.org/

The "Pump Up Your Pastor" Prayer Program

Beginning this Sunday, August 9, many pastors in BAGBR will start each Lord's Day off with a little extra boost of encouragement.

In conjunction with praying for your pastor daily, please set aside a special time of prayer on Saturdays to pray for your pastors, their last minute study time, their sermons, family harmony (pastors get into arguments with their wives and have misbehaving kids just like the rest of us, and Saturday night/Sunday morning is prime time for Satan to attack), the worship service the next day, etc.

Afterwards, send a brief e-mail or voice mail to the pastor's office at the church telling him that you were praying for him, how you were praying for him, and giving him some words of encouragement. It is my hope that after the first few times this is done, the pastors will begin checking their e-mail or voice mail every Sunday morning upon arriving at the church so they can start off the Lord's Day on a positive note.

Here is a sample of what a PPPP e-mail might look like, but please feel free to write or say the words God puts on your heart:

Dear Pastor-

Today, I prayed that:

...God would send revival to our church.
...God will provide the new air conditioning unit the church needs.
...God will give you some encouragement and hope this week in the midst of any difficult situation you may be dealing with.
...God will give you the strength to stand firm and resist temptation this week.
...God will give you passion in your preaching.

Have a blessed Lord's Day,

Jane Doe

Church prayer coordinators can do this for their own pastors, and the regional coordinators and I will do it as we are able for the churches that don't yet have church coordinators.

I'd like for all of us to begin this prayer initiative on Saturday, August 8. Please briefly explain the program to your pastor this first time. If your pastor doesn't have e-mail or voice mail at the office, you may want to just stick a note on his office door or something like that.

Please encourage as many of your church members as possible to participate. You may also wish to pray for and encourage other staff members. Having a small group (or a large group!) meet some time on Saturday or on Sunday morning to pray for the pastor and the worship service would be fantastic if you feel led to put something like that together.

Let's pray!