As many of us are now aware, the State of Tennessee Assembly has overwhelmingly passed a bill that was signed by Governor Bill Lee to call for a month of prayer beginning July 1st 2024 for Tennessee and our nation.

The news of the passage of this Bill has reverberated among many Christians and has ignited a renewed desire to pray for the United States.

A copy of an article from Harbingers Daily regarding the Tennessee Bill and the subsequent call to prayer can be found here: https://harbingersdaily.com/lets-all-be-tennesseans-trusted-pastor-calls-american-churches-to-join-tennessee-in-month-long-call-to-prayer/

Our Answer to the Call

In light of these developments, I am calling on our Church Fellowships (First Christian Assembly in Philadelphia, Bethel Christian Church in New Jersey and The Philadelphia Access Center) to join together in this National call to prayer.

If you have committed to join this month-long time of prayer and fasting, please see the items below:

  1. Daily times of prayer - Make plans to set aside a special time each day for personal prayer for the Nation. Consider setting an alarm on your phone to remind you of your scheduled time of prayer.
  2. Special prayer at all meeting - All of our gatherings this month will set aside a specific time to pray for our Nation. This includes Bible studies, Outreach programs, Small groups, Sunday School programs, Staff and Business Meetings and of course Prayer meetings.
  3. Fasting - As you are led by the Holy Spirit, our prayer time should include some form of Fasting. The Fast may be a time of Fasting from food, however it may be more appropriate for some to Fast from distractions: Cell phones, Television, social media, etc.
  4. Repentance - Prayer should include Repentance (Personal, Church and National). It would also be beneficial to include a time of reflection and listening to the Holy Spirit.
  5. Our responsibility as believers - This National call to prayer started in the Halls of Government in Tennessee but we the Church have a mandate from Scripture to be people of prayer. Scripture calls us to pray for our communities and nation.
    • [2Ch 7:14]  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
    • 1 Timothy 2:1-4 -"First of all then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way"
  6. Total dependance on Christ - Please keep in mind that the ills of our Nation cannot be cured by a change in government. What makes the Tennessee Bill very exciting is that it encourages prayer to God and includes references to Jesus being the one to bring healing to our Nation. While it is important for Christians to be part of the political process including voting, we do not put our hope and trust in man. We know that the only hope is in Jesus.

Much of our prayer should be focused on the revival of the Church.
Remember: Judgement begins in the House of God.  

[1Pe 4:17] For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?

God’s desire is that His people learn to walk in holiness and fellowship with Him (Romans 8:29).
As any loving parent would do, God will bring unpleasant consequences upon His children for rebellion.
He expects the ones He has redeemed by the blood of His Son to set the example for the rest of the world.
If the church is not in pursuit of holiness, the world sees no need to change its allegiance.
So, judgment begins in the household of God, with His own children, as He teaches us to live like Jesus.

Thank you for your desire and commitment to join together in this 30-day call to prayer.