Posts in category Pray Now Bartow

Pray Now Bartow Day 30

Mar30
2010 Written by Warner Smith

There are only 84 congregations in all religions in Bartow. To adequately serve our county we need to start a minimum of 516 churches.  This is number for needed new congregations is based on a ratio of 100 members per new church.  If these churches were started by traditional means, by purchasing land and constructing buildings and hiring staff (pastor), the cost for planting these needed churches would be $1,032,000,000 ($1.032 billion).

Another method for planting this large number of churches is to do so by non traditional means by starting house churches. In a house church a group of believers come together for worship in someones home.  They may or may not be connected to a mother church where they attend every other week or monthly.  House churches are led by non professional ministers.

There are several strengths of the house church. Many people today are more open to attending a Bible study in a home than in a church.  They are less expensive. House churches are harder for governments to control. They are smaller, and as such their attendees tend to be more involved in service.  Some house churches will grow and become more traditional churches, but many will not.  While most Christians do not think positively about house churches they are an excellent means for evangelizing a population.  As America becomes less and less Christian house churches will become more appealing and necessary.

14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” 16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Romans 10:14–17

Pray for those who do not attend a church. Pray that God will call more Christians into the ministry of preaching His Word.  Pray that all those who currently preach His Word will become holy and bold in their proclamation and lifestyle.  Ask God to convict the hearts of believers to stat new churches whether through traditional or non-traditional means.

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Pray Now Bartow Day 29

Mar29
2010 Written by Warner Smith

Warning: Reading this devotion may burst your bubble!

The world in which we live is a very sick place.  Lincoln did not release all of the slaves for all time.  Atlanta the home of Martin Luther King Jr. is now considered a city which is instrumental in human trafficking domestically and globally.

Human trafficking has become a major concern in Atlanta because of Hartsfield International Airport which is a central connection for domestic and international flights. Other contributing factors for Atlanta as a primary city for human trafficking are the large undocumented immigrant population, and its large sex industry.  Strip clubs, prostitution, and escort services are abundant.  All these reasons work together to create the perfect climate for human trafficking in Atlanta.

It is estimated that between 14,500 to 17,500 people, primarily women and children, are sent to the U.S. annually.  200-300 children are abducted each month and traded as slaves. Human trafficking is a 32 billion dollar industry worldwide, second only to drugs.

16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked. Luke 4:16–22

Pray that God will set the enslaved free. Ask God to convict the hearts of those who are abusing these people so they will repent. Ask God to help us to witness more boldly and effectively so that the hearts of people can be cleansed from the poison of sin.

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Pray Now Bartow Day 28

Mar28
2010 Written by Warner Smith

Current estimates are that more than 8 million Muslims currently reside in the United States.  These numbers will only continue to increase due to immigration, increased birth rate, and a high conversion rate.  Approximately 200,000 Americans convert to Islam each year. The fact that Islam is growing within our own nation and our own Baptist churches have plateaued, should cause each of us at least a moment of pause, or perhaps drive us to our knees in confession and repentance.

The two largest groups who convert to Islam are African Americans and Caucasian women.  Growing numbers of Latino Americans are also embracing Islam. Currently there are 749 Mosques in United States 10 of which are located in Metro Atlanta.

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6

Pray that God will awaken those who are considering to Islam see Jesus as the only true way to God. Pray for the salvation of those who are Muslim. If you know someone who is a Muslim invite befriend them them and share Jesus with them.  According to the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention one good way to begin is by asking a Muslim friend to tea, because Muslims are known for their love of tea.

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Pray Now Bartow Day 27

Mar27
2010 Written by Warner Smith

Nathaniel has a drinking problem. He began drinking years ago when he lost his job and family.  He barely makes it on his government check and help from local food and clothes closet ministries. The trailer in which he lives is in need of repair. Nathaniel drinks to forget about his problems. When he heard that a friend who had also lost his job committed suicide, he began thinking about whether or not suicide was the answer to his despair.

In 2008, 28 people successfully committed suicide in Bartow County. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, between 8 and 25 people attempt suicide after they learn of a death by suicide.

If you contemplate taking your own life please reach out to someone.  Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.  Suicide is also a selfish act.  If you know someone whom you believe is considering suicide get them some help, and let them know that you care for them.  The most difficult grief to overcome for surviving family members is grief due to suicide. If you know someone who has lost a loved one due to suicide let them know that they are not responsible for the actions of another and pray for them and love on them all that you can!

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5:1–11

Pray for the hopeless. Ask God’s Spirit to reveal to the hopeless that their enduring suffering is an important step on the road to hope and rejoicing.  Pray that they will find their hope in Christ Jesus. Ask God to show you how to pray and minister to those you know and meet.

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Pray Now Bartow Day 26

Mar26
2010 Written by Warner Smith

Jack will soon be released from prison on probation for dealing drugs. He will join the other 154,197 adults who are currently on probation in Georgia.  Jack, like half of those in prison, was raised by his mother. He never knew his Dad. Jack began selling drugs in order to help his mother purchase the things which they could not afford.

Jack and his absentee father typify what is wrong with men in America today.  I teach our men that;

  1. Manhood is in a state of confusion
  2. Confused men create major problems
  3. Confused men settle for less.
  4. There is no vision of manhood that is compelling to men today.
  5. The Bible has insight and answers for all of the above.

Did you know that Georgia has the fifth largest prison system in the nation. Of the 53,558 people who are currently in prison 62% are Black and 37% are White, 40% claim to be Baptist.

While in prison Jack has been visited by men of Muslim faith. They have told him that they would help him find a job when he was released. Pray that God will limit the influence these men can have upon Jack.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:34–40

Pray that fathers will be faithful to their children.  Pray and ask God to move on the men in America and give them His vision of manhood and faithfulness to their own wives and children.  We need to elevate our standard for fathers.  Men need to understand that any male can be a sperm donor, but that it takes a real man to be a father!

Ask God to send Christians to witness to those in prison who will also be willing and able to help Jack and all the men he represents when they are released.  They need godly mentors as well as jobs!

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