When asking the Lord for direction concerning PrayErie in 2024, I felt we were to continue with the monthly prayer walks and engaging with other prayer assignments. This year’s prayer focus is on the Ecclesia; defined as God’s “called out ones.” We will be asking God to remember his promises to the Ecclesia for his names’ sake, as we open our hearts and listen carefully to what the Spirit is saying. Knowing that we are called to live here in this Gem of a City that we might seek God and find him (Acts 17:26-28).
Jesus’ disciples also asked him how to pray, and the Lord taught them what we know today as The Lord’s Prayer. What I didn’t know and is fresh revelation to me, is the connection between the prayer and the story Jesus told to illustrate that prayer. It’s the story of a man who has unexpected company in the middle of the night and, as the custom of that culture dictated, he needed to feed them. However, having no food in the house, the man goes to a neighbor, knocks on the door, and asks for something to serve these guests. (Those who have young children can understand why the neighbor was reluctant to disturb the whole family in the middle of the night!) But because of the persistent knocking, the neighbor gets up and gives him what he needs.
I love Jesus’ explanation of the story and its connection to prayer. The Passion Translation describes it this way in Luke 11:9-10. “So it is with your prayers. Ask and you’ll receive. Seek and you’ll discover. Knock on heaven’s door, and it will one day open for you. Every persistent person will receive what he asks for. Every persistent seeker will discover what he needs. And everyone who knocks persistently will one day find an open door.” The NIV calls it audacious persistence!
And PrayErie has certainly been persistent! We have been visiting places and praying for our city/county since 2015. We’ve walked Perry Square praying for the 7 Mountains of cultural influence. We’ve been around the county praying at all 13 School Districts and multiple municipalities; for people to have, “safe dwellings, quiet habitations and peaceful resting places” (Isaiah 32:18). We’ve prayed at Erie ports of entry and at county, state and international borders. As we’ve gathered at different locations, God’s prayer warriors have been faithful to come out and pray. For me, one of the best parts of these city/county tours has been meeting the prayer warriors who have been praying for their communities and churches for years. As I look back through the photos, I count warriors from at least 18 different churches! Go to prayerie.org and click the menu item Prayer Walks for more about the prayer walks over the years. Here are a few precious photos.
I invite you to join us for the next prayer walk, click the link for details: https://prayerie.org/2024-prayer-walks/ May I also encourage you to keep prayers up for your territory, where ever you are, whenever you can!
Prayers Up!
Cindy
