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IN THIS ALERT:
I. Fire and Floods
II. July 4th, Honor Our Nation's Christian Heritage
III. Border Prayer Initiative
IV. AZPray 24-7 Prayer Update
V. Arizona Legislative Update
VI. Elections 2008 & Weekly Elections Prayer Guide
VII. Thank You for Praying for PrayerQuake!
I. Fires and Floods. You may have heard the news of all the residents (100) in Crown King who have been evacuated due to a serious fire. Crown King is geographically the center or the "heart" of Arizona.
Please stand in prayer for Crown King and the residents. Ask God to protect Arizona communities from the devastation of fires during the summer season. Remember to also pray for our neighbors in California as they battle fires that have forced thousands to flee for safety.
Floodwaters reached record heights above the banks of the upper Mississippi River. The devastation is widespread with multitudes of homes destroyed. The storms and flooding that started in early June have forced many thousands from their homes across six states, killing 24 and injuring roughly 150.
Arizona is also experiencing spiritual fires. Fire and water are symbols of the Holy Spirit (John 7:38). Please pray for the purging and cleansing and release of God's power in our state and nation. Pray that the Lord will "remember mercy" and grant strength, protection and provision to all who are engaging in rescue, emergency housing and massive cleanup.
II. 4th of July - Honoring Our Nations' Christian Heritage. Pray for the Church to awaken and rise up - engaging in prayer and in the '08 Elections as in our founding. May there be an honoring and imitating of our founding fathers who called on the name of the Lord in the midst of national and personal challenges.
III. The Border Prayer Initiative. July 4th is the 160th anniversary of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo - a treaty which determined most of the nearly 2,000 miles of Mexico-USA border. The Mexico-USA Border Prayer Alliance, which Arizona Call to Prayer is a part, has planned a series of prayer and reconciliation events along the borders this summer, in particular on July 4th. The treaty's preamble includes the following significant language:
"In the name of Almighty God... to establish upon a solid basis relations of peace and friendship, which shall confer reciprocal benefits upon the citizens of both, and assure the concord, harmony, and mutual confidence wherein the two people should live as good neighbors... under the protection of Almighty God, the author of peace..."
Thus, the treaty itself provides language for at least seven primary prayer points:
1. Acknowledge God
2. Restore a solid foundation
3. Establish relations of peace and friendship
4. Confer reciprocal benefits
5. Assure concord, harmony, and mutual confidence
6. Live as good neighbors
7. Seek the protection of Almighty God, the author of peace
As carriers of His authority on the Earth, let's join together in daily prayer for our border - knowing that God's words on our lips can change the course of our nations. Pray throughout the summer but particularly on July 4th for the representatives from the two nations as they gather to reaffirm the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo - that God will direct and empower them as they meet and pray together.
IV. AZPray 24-7 Prayer Update. Continue to pray for the churches/ministries who weekly carry the torch of the 24/7 torch in Arizona. Pray for the torch to be sustained and burn brightly. During PrayerQuake small candles were given to representatives of some 30 states symbolizing passing the fire from Arizona to the nation. Pray that 24-7 prayer be solidly established in these states and throughout our nation to the end that our nation become a spiritually revived nation that honors and glorifies God.
V. Arizona Legislative Update. The Arizona Senate joined the Arizona House of Representatives in voting to refer a state constitutional amendment on the definition of marriage to the November ballot. The Senate's action places the following proposed constitutional amendment before the voters:
"Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state."
The people of Arizona will be able to decide the future of marriage in Arizona, not judges as we have witnessed in California. Pray that thousands of Arizona citizens will register to vote and participate in this year's Presidential, Congressional, and local elections.
On the other hand, on the midst of the marriage amendment debate, Governor Napolitano vetoed the partial-birth abortion ban for the second time this session. The Bible instructs us to "keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God." (Colossians 3:1) Continue in faith filled prayer until abortion is abolished from our land.
VI. Election 2008. Nominating conventions take place August 25-28 (Democratic) and September 1-4 (Republican). Continue to pray for presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain. Ask the Lord to give them an ear to hear and heed His voice. Pray for all Americans as we consider who will receive our vote in November, and ask God to reveal His will to us for the outcome of the election.
Proclaim the sovereignty of God and the supremacy of Jesus Christ over all U.S. political parties and nominating conventions. (Col 1:9-20) Intercede for mercy and for godly candidates in accord with God's revealed will for redemption, truth, and good government. (1 Tim 2:1-4, 1 Jn 5:14)
Weekly Elections Prayer Guide
The U.S. Reformation Prayer Network, a ministry of Generals International, has developed a scriptural prayer guide in preparation for the 2008 Presidential Election. You can click on the link below and use this weekly prayer guide each week right up to the day of the election.
Click here to download the weekly prayer guide.
VII. Thank You for Praying for PrayerQuake. Hal and Cheryl Sacks and Arizona Call to Prayer would like to thank you for joining us in prayer for PrayerQuake. We are humbled and amazed at all that God has done and continues to do in the "aftershocks". Highlights include prayer for the elections, abortion, pornography and our borders as well as a deaf ear opened and migraine headaches vanishing in the healing prayer room. Workshops equipped participants to better pray for their families, churches, businesses, cities and nation. Evening sessions brought fervent worship, inspiration and seasons of personal and corporate repentance. Continue to pray that God will protect the seeds that have been planted and that they will bear a hundred-fold harvest. ( Click here to read testimonies from PrayerQuake participants.) |
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