Wednesday, 2
God, we pray for you to raise up an army of intercessors, who will call out to you on behalf of the United Methodist Church and its witness in the world. Guide those who will participate in General Conference 2008 with much discernment and wisdom.
Thursday, 3
Nearly 1,000 delegates from the U.S. and other countries are making preparations for the ten full and challenging days of General Conference in Ft. Worth. Pray for these clergy and lay delegates who will gather to represent world-wide United Methodism in this important legislative gathering, the only body that speaks officially for the UM Church.
Sebastine Ujereh, Senegal - GBGM
Friday, 4
Lord, during General Conference guide the United Methodist Church to reclaim its great heritage of evangelism and social witness and make vital the ministries of the church.
Saturday, 5
A special Happy Birthday wish goes out to the Rev. Ken Werlein! Ken is a Good News board member and pastors Faithbridge UMC in Spring, Texas. Ask God to bless Ken and his wife, Suzanne, and bring them much support.
Also, the happiest of Birthday wishes go out to Craig Sefa! Craig works in the Good News Mail Services Department and attends Asbury Seminary along with his wife McKenzie. God, continue to richly bless this fine, gifted couple.
Sunday, 6
Pray today for your pastor and the thousands of other UM pastors who will lead their congregations in worship today. Pray they will be anointed by the Holy Spirit to preach the Word faithfully.
Monday, 7
Today is World Health Day! “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26). Father, send your servants to those in need of medical assistance, and bring funds which will help their medical needs be met.
Tuesday, 8
With so much suffering around the world, pray that we will not yield to compassion fatigue in America. Give thanks to the many Christian churches across the nation that have a heart for meeting needs at home and around the world.
Wednesday, 9
Lord Jesus, we pray that all attending General Conference will bear witness to the one God who “gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Kelly Langdoc, Bolivia – WGM
Please pray for Dr. David Greenlee whose birthday was March 9th. He was inadvertently omitted in the March Prayer Guide. David serves with Operation Mobilization.
Friday, 11
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23). Praise God for those who will attend General Conference and work on your behalf.
Chin Cheak, Singapore, GBGM
Saturday, 12
We wish Mark Tooley a gloriously Happy Birthday! Mark is a Good News board member and director of UMAction, the UM committee of the Institute on Religion and Democracy, in Washington, D.C. Father, we thank you for Mark’s dedication to you and ask you to increase blessings in his life.
Sunday, 13
In just ten days, the 2008 General Conference begins in Ft. Worth. Pray for the opening services, which will include the Episcopal Address and later, the laity address. May God’s will be the primary concern for delegates as they begin the conference Wednesday.
Monday, 14
God, increase comfort to those who have suffered loss of loved ones, and set their hearts toward the joy of knowing you will welcome your children home one day.
Mozart Adevu, Ghana; Ngoy Kalangwa, Tanzania – GBGM
Tuesday, 15
Pray for General Conference delegates and others attending to arrive prepared, spiritually and physically, in order to keep up with the pace set by General Conference activities.
Diane Allen, United Kingdom; William Lovelace, Ukraine – GBGM
Wednesday,16
Pray for the delegates at General Conference to act to increase our respect for the sanctity of unborn human life and for the health and well-being of women. Also, pray for an end to United Methodist participation in any organization that may advocate abortion.
Lamberto Valino, Japan; Stacy Vanderwerf, Ukraine – GBGM
Thursday, 17
Pray for the Rev. Tom Lambrecht as he leads the 2008 Renewal and Reform Coalition on site at General Conference. Ask God to increase Tom’s energy, discernment, prayerfulness, and overall abilities during the important days ahead, in order to make the coalition’s ministry pleasing to God.
Joanna Coppedge, Uganda – WGM
Friday, 18
Please pray for the members of the Judicial Council, which meet today through the 22nd prior to General Conference 2008 which begins April 23. The members will remain in Ft. Worth during General Conference and may be called upon to rule on some point during those days.
Carol Paige - TMS
Larry Overholt, Honduras – WGM
Saturday, 19
Pray for the delegates, as they make final plans to travel to General Conference, to be able to understand the rules of order, church terminology, and the many issues they will need to discuss and debate before making their decision.
Sunday, 20
“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13). Lord, we praise you for those at General Conference 2008 who will work to uphold your holy word.
Monday, 21
Pray for members of the Council of Bishops who will be charged with the important responsibility of presiding at a plenary session of General Conference. Pray for them to have God’s wisdom for discernment and fairness as they lead delegates in discussion and action.
Tuesday, 22
Today is Earth Day! “ God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning – the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array” (Genesis 1:31, 2:1). Father, guide us to work together to preserve this wonderful earth you’ve created for us.
Martin Reeves – TMS
Wednesday, 23
General Conference 2008 of the United Methodist Church begins today and goes through May 2. Almighty God, move mightily in the hearts and minds of those participating in General Conference 2008. We pray for safety and protection for all attending, for the renewal groups to be successful in their endeavors, for you to guide and strengthen words, voices, actions and responses to questions that will further your will to be done.
Also, Celebrate Administrative Professionals’ Day Today! God, we thank you for the many in staff support positions. May they realize how much they are appreciated.
Thursday, 24
Pray for the Good News team at General Conference as they print and distribute a newsletter, assist delegates, provide Breakfast briefings for delegates, assist in prayer networks across the country, and any other tasks that may arise.
Ari Arfaras; John Heinz – TMS
Erna Saim, Algeria – GBGM
Friday, 25
Lord Jesus, as General Conference delegates discuss issues related to human sexuality, we pray for them to make decisions that strengthen the United Methodist Church’s biblical stance which opposes homosexual practice and same-sex unions/marriages.
Saturday, 26
On Monday, the work of legislative committees begins to be brought before all delegates for deliberation and decision. This weekend pray for the delegates to be able to comprehend the matters coming before them and that they will be able to act on them according to God’s will.
Sunday, 27
Today is Internet Evangelism Day! He said “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation” (Mark 16:15). Join with other Christians to focus on serving God by using the internet to transform lives.
Kenneth Nkando, Nigeria - GBGM
Monday, 28
As General Conference goes into its second week pray for all there to be refreshed in his Kingdom work, and that they will feel his Spirit’s leading in the matters that come before them.
Tuesday, 29
Pray today for the Central Conference delegates—coming from Africa, Europe, and the Philippines. These dear clergy and laity love God and face the challenges of a new culture and sometimes a language they have difficulty understanding. Pray for these delegates who represent vital churches in their homelands.
Muriel Henderson, Mexico - GBGM
Wednesday, 30
“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us” (Psalm 67:1). This is the next-to-last day of General Conference. By now, delegates are feeling the effects of the long days and short nights. Pray much for them, for the bishops chairing the plenary sessions, and for visitors who come to watch the proceedings or just to pray.
Missionaries’ names and agencies are listed beneath their birthdates. They will appreciate your prayers.
The mission agencies listed in our “Guide to Daily Prayer” are abbreviated as follows:
GBGM-General Board of Global Ministries
OMS-OMS International
TMS- The Mission Society
WGM-World Gospel Mission
Wycliffe/J.A.A.R.S.-Pray for these missionaries who are no longer listed in our Good News guide to Daily Prayer due to their perilous field of service.
The “Guide to Daily Prayer” is published monthly by:
Good News Magazine
P.O. Box 150
Wilmore, KY 40390
1-800-487-7784
Copies available upon request.