Tuesday Prayer Ministry

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by Julie Van Gorp

When you read today’s headlines, get on social media, or just listen to people around you, do you ever wonder, “What in the world is going on?!” Do you feel like the world you once knew has been turned upside down and that ‘evil is being called good and good evil’? It can be a challenge to be a Christian in today’s culture and not become disheartened and depressed, or callous and apathetic because of the changes that are rapidly taking place that are leading our nation and our world further away from God’s will and His word.
When sin abounds and confusion reigns, God has a wonderful way of breathing new life, hope, and faith into the situation— as well as into your own life—through joining together in prayer with other believers! As important as it is to spend personal time in prayer each day with the Lord, God also calls us to join together with other believers in prayer. He knows there is great power and encouragement that comes when we pray with fellow believers and encourage one another to fix our eyes upon Jesus in worship and adoration; to thank Him for His past faithfulness; to remind each other of His trustworthy promises; as well as to ‘cast all of our cares upon Him’!

Our heart as a prayer group is to pray for revival in the Church, in our nation, and in our world. We actually use the very headlines and daily news that otherwise might overwhelm and depress us as a launching pad for our prayers; we apply God’s Word to those situations and intercede that God’s will be done in and through them. He turns our ‘mourning into dancing’ as we focus on the reality that He is good and ‘over and above’ every situation! By praying together, we realize afresh that no matter how dark it gets, the Light shines forth and that nothing is too big for our God for whom ‘nothing is impossible’!

We pray for the salvation of those who currently stand against God’s Word, as well as praying for strength and boldness for pastors, other ministers of the gospel, and the Body as a whole to boldly proclaim the ‘good news’ of the gospel regardless of the cost. We also pray for the election of godly leaders, and for elected and appointed leaders at the local, state and national levels to rule with justice and wisdom in accordance with God’s will. In addition, we pray for such topics as pro-life legislation and for God’s view on marriage and morality to prevail in our nation and world. Our prayers also include world leaders and global news events, as well as missionaries and those who are persecuted for their faith. We pray for our unsaved family members as well as the lost throughout the world to come to know the love and power of Jesus.

We have seen countless answers to our prayers—‘surprise’ election results and the passage of legislation in line with God’s word; miraculous physical healings; doors that had been closed be opened for missionaries; and the salvation of lost family members! We find hope and encouragement from looking to the Lord, focusing upon Who He is, praying His Word, standing together upon His promises, and trusting in His loving character and His sovereign power. Every participant would say they have grown more in love with the Lord and deeper in their faith due to spending time in prayer with the Lord and experiencing the joy of Christ-centered fellowship with one another. Here are just a few testimonies:

My time in this group has impacted my prayer life and increased my desire for the Lord in a mighty way. DeLee

I’ve had a burden for prayer for the past 15 years, and I yearned to have a deeper prayer life, which I found when I joined the Tuesday prayer group. I’ve found a group of dedicated women who understand the power, significance, and urgent need for prayer. This ‘prayer privilege’ has blessed me beyond words, and has grown me spiritually. It’s the best investment of my time and energy to pray for ‘God’s kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven’! Nancy

Due to this prayer group, I’ve been driven to the Scriptures with a new intensity and have learned to take His Word and pray it back to Him in praise and supplication. I feel encouraged and hopeful as we boldly ask God to do for the Church and our world what He has done in the past, for the sake of Christ & the glory of His Name! Linda

Those who gather are women of various ages and life stages—members of COTA as well as those from outside of the church—who have a hunger for God and a desire for His glory and His will to be done. We would love for anyone who feels so led to join together with us! We meet every Tuesday year-round, with the exception of major holiday weeks, from 12:15-2:00 p.m. in Room 248. Women come as the Lord leads, and their schedules allow; some are able to attend each week while others may only be able to come once a month or quarter. If you’re interested in attending, but you don’t know how to pray or feel uncomfortable praying in a group, you can come and agree in the Spirit with those who pray out loud. Many have found that the best way to learn how to engage in intercessory prayer is to come and be a part of this corporate prayer group!

For more information contact:
Julie Van Gorp
julieavg@icould.com
678-386-8836