WOW - God is stirring unprecedented prayer for the Presidential Elections!  For the first time, instead of coordinating prayer ourselves, we are primarily connecting together multiple calls for 40 days of prayer and fasting.  Campus prayer ministries such as LoveASU, and state and national organizations including 40 Days for Life, Bound4Life, TheCall, The Great Awakening Tour, Intercessors for America, Youth Interceding for America, the Presidential Prayer Team, Phoenix First Assembly, Lite the Fire, PrayAZ, YesForMarriage, and others are all coordinating extended prayer and fasting during this crucial time of the Presidential and General Elections.

It is amazing to see how the LIFE/ABORTION issue is at the forefront of this election.  And, Arizona, along with California and Florida, are three key states that will affect the nation with MARRIAGE AMENDMENTS on the ballot.  The contrast between state and presidential candidates on these important issues couldn't be greater.  And, of course, we are called to pray for all of our government leaders and Presidential candidate John McCain is from Arizona.

Arizona Call to Prayer will soon release a 2008 ACP Elections Prayer Guide that gives a time line and connects the many calls to prayer statewide and nationally.  The Prayer Guide also gives website information for the many state and national prayer ministries involved, along with focused prayer themes from September 22 through the Presidential and General Elections in November.  You will be able to access an incredible amount of information and resources for prayer!

LET'S PRAY AND SEEK THE OVERFLOWING MERCY OF OUR LOVING GOD!

-Guy Chadwick
Arizona Call to Prayer, Director

September 2008 Prayer Alert

I.  PRESIDENT BUSH CALLS FOR PRAYER - SEPTEMBER 5-7.  President Bush has proclaimed September 5th through 7th, 2008 as national days of prayer and remembrance.
"A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America during National Days of Prayer and Remembrance, we pay special tribute to the thousands of innocent victims who died on September 11, 2001. Our Nation honors the brave citizens, service members, police officers, and firefighters who heroically responded in the face of terror. On these important days, we reflect on the terrible events of September 11, 2001, and lift the victims and their families in our prayers. . .

"Our Nation will never forget the individuals who lost their lives in New York, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon. America remains inspired by the countless acts of kindness and sacrifice we saw that day-fearless rescuers who rushed toward danger, a beloved priest who died helping others, two office workers who carried a disabled person 68 floors to safety.

"We also pray for the safety and success of the members of our Armed Forces now serving freedom's cause. We seek God's grace on their families, and commit to Heaven's care those brave men and women He has called home. We ask the Almighty to watch over America and pray for His providence and continued blessings on our country. May He always guide the United States of America. As we defend our country against its enemies, we pray for help in protecting the gift of freedom from those who seek to destroy it, and we ask the Almighty to strengthen all those securing liberty on distant shores.

"NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Friday, September 5, through Sunday, September 7, 2008, as National Days of Prayer and Remembrance. I ask that the people of the United States and their places of worship mark these National Days of Prayer and Remembrance with memorial services, the ringing of bells, and evening candlelight remembrance vigils. I also invite all people across the world to share in these Days of Prayer and Remembrance."
President George W. Bush

II.  9-11 ANNIVERSARY WORSHIP TIME - SEPTEMBER 11.  Join us for a special time of worship and intercession on the 7th Anniversary of 9-11, 7:00pm Thursday, September 11 as the . . .  "Cry for Mercy Continues" with Daniel Brymer at Covenant of Grace Church, 906 W. Peoria in North Phoenix.  Many of you know Daniel Brymer, PrayerQuake and national worship leader, who now lives in Kansas City.  He will be in town for a few days.

III.  1,000 ARIZONA PASTORS RALLY - SEPTEMBER 18.  Please pray for this amazing historic gathering of an expected 1,000 Arizona pastors at 10:00am on Thursday, September 18 in Phoenix for the purpose of preserving the fundamental institution of marriage in Arizona.  The invitations are going out now to pastors of all denominations, so pray that God's call would go out and be heard clearly.  When brothers come together in unity there is a commanded blessing (Psalm 133)! Pastors who are interested in participating in this gathering should call Guy Chadwick at 602-570-4162.

IV.  40 DAY ELECTIONS PRAYER.  Pray that all of the calls to prayer for the Elections fit together for God's purposes and that intercessors throughout Arizona are envisioned and energized for prayer like never before!  We will be completing a concise 2008 ACP Elections Prayer Guide in the next few days that will provide resource information on the state and national prayer ministries calling for prayer, as well as a thematic track for intercession for the Presidential and General Elections.

V.  MEXICO-USA BORDER PRAYER ALLIANCE.  Pray for us as we continue to seek God's will and intervention as we lead the national prayer alliance for the Mexico-USA border.  On September 15-16, Hal Sacks and Guy Chadwick of BridgeBuilders/Arizona Call to Prayer, and Jon McHatton, Arizona Legislative Chaplain, will be meeting again with the pastoral council in Mexicali to pursue the next step along the border by establishing houses of prayer at key border sites.  You may read a summary of the recent Mexico-USA Border Prayer events on our Arizona Call to Prayer website - https://www.bridgebuilders.net/index.cfm/pageid/10/index.html.

VI.  CRIME DOWN IN PHOENIX.  Two recent news articles report that crime is down significantly in the Phoenix area.  One states that "The decrease from January through June marked the largest crime reduction in Phoenix in the past decade, police said." - Phoenix sees significant dip in crime by Lindsey Collom, August 1, 2008, The Arizona Republic.  The other article reported the breakup of a major prostitution ring in the Phoenix Metro area involving more than 100 managers and prostitutes.  And as reported, "The money generated from these illegal ventures helps fund other criminal enterprises such as drug and smuggling operations." - PV man alleged ringleader of prostitution ring, Associate Press, August 5, 2008.  God is answering our prayers, so continue to pray for the exposure and thwarting of crime in Arizona!

VII.  THE GREAT AWAKENING TOUR IN OCTOBER.  Begin now to pray for all the preparations and activities of The Great Awakening Tour coming to the Phoenix Metro area October 6 - 25.  This is a huge evangelistic effort already reporting more than 500,000 salvations nationwide in stops since February 2007.  You can be involved in the pre-event prayer preparation now by linking at:  http://www.riverchurchamerica.com/great_awakening_prayer
 

For a printable copy of the September 2008 Arizona Call to Prayer Alert click here.