November 5, 2010
Dear Formidable Prayer Warriors for First Priority,
This prayer letter is going to be a doozy. There is so much going on with First Priority, and they really need our prayers.
First, we praise You Father God for The Awakening that took place in early October that had around 15,000 participants. We are awestruck that there were over 870 decisions made, and over 300 people met You, our precious Lord, for the first time.
Starting Monday night Lord, we will begin a prayer walk around the Pelham Amphitheater (now known as the Verizon Wireless Music Center) for the second Awakening Tuesday, November 9th, through Friday the 12th. We are grateful for Your presence that was there in October because, as Rick Burgess said, he had not experienced the Holy Spirit that powerfully since he spoke at his baby's funeral. We pray, Lord Adonai, that Your Holy Spirit will be even stronger this time. Lord, we ask you to supernaturally draw the people that You have ordained to be there. Bring people to the minds of those planning to attend, and have them reach out to the ones that You put on their hearts to invite. Lord, I pray that you will stir in these kids a longing, not to be entertained, but to want to experience something that is powerful, and real, and bigger than anything that they have ever seen. Impart in these kids a desire to work in our city and beyond to make a difference in other people's lives, and to never be satisfied again with what the world offers them. Lord, we ask that You raise up an army of righteous young people that will have a vision of what You want to accomplish in and through them at this time. Fill them Lord with Your weighty presence, which they will share with their circles of influence when they return to their families, work and schools.
Father, we lift up the speakers for this event; Scott Dawson, Rick Burgess, Steve Gaines and Mike Satterfield. Lord, we pray that you will fill these Godly speakers with Your presence, and that You will give them Your words that will pierce the hearts of all of the people in attendance, but especially those that have never asked Jesus to be their Savior. We pray that there will be an abundance of counselors to counsel the attendees that come back stage for prayer, and that the counselors will have instructed tongues for each individual that they speak with, for their specific need. Lord, please remind us to be in constant prayer prior to these events, so that all that You have in Your heart will be accomplished for such a time as this.
Lord, I pray that you would inspire the musicians that will be playing at these events with sounds from heaven. I pray that your angels will be beside them in worship. I pray also that Your angels will surround the facility, and protect it. Father, inspire the bands to play songs that would bring Your heart the most joy, and that will release Your anointing most profoundly.
We pray for safety for all of the people coming to the conference, and pray that all of the sound equipment, and the band's instruments will work flawlessly. We pray that the weather will be pleasant and comfortable for the attendees. We pray Lord Adonai, that You will not allow the enemy to be able to impede anyone from coming, that You desire to be there. We pray that You, Lord God, will raise up more prayer people to cover this event in prayer. We pray that You will nudge us to pray prior to and during the days of the events, so that Your purposes will be accomplished for such a time as this.
We pray these same prayers for the following week, on November 15th and 16th, when there will be another Awakening event in Bessemer at the Bessemer Civic Center. We ask, Lord, that You will do for this event, all that we have asked for in the other Awakenings. Raise up this generation to be about Your business. Stir Your holy fire in them, and agitate them to share with others about You and all that You have done for them. We thank You in advance for the answers to these prayers.
Now Lord, we ask for supernatural provision for First Priority. During December, please prompt multitudes of people to send contributions to First Priority, so that during that month, First Priority can experience Victory Matching, which will allow their funds and their work to go twice as far as it does in other months. We thank You Lord, that this ministry captures Your heart for the youth in the public schools. We are grateful for youth ministers who are willing to join together from all denominations to further Your kingdom in the public schools. We pray for them that what You do through the First Priority workers, the youth leaders, teacher sponsors, and the parent leaders, that these students might experience the abundant life that You have for them. We pray for continued unity and enthusiasm for what you are accomplishing through First Priority, and that this work would make Your heart glad.
Lord, we pray for the 'Live in the Mountains' event this year that will take place December 27-30. Please draw the churches that You desire to take part in this event, and then draw the students from those groups that You have in Your heart to participate. Please provide the funds for the kids whose families may be experiencing financial difficulties. Lord, put it on the hearts of Your people who have an abundance, to sponsor a youth that may not be able to attend otherwise.
Lord, again we ask for Your rheum word to be spoken at this event, and for the worship to be inspired from Your throne room. Please keep the parents, youth pastors and youth who attend safe and well. Impart a special anointing to everyone who attends, and help them to use their free time to honor You.
Lord, we lift up the Birmingham Bowl to You that will take place on January 8, 2011. We ask You to draw the crowds that You desire to come to the "Be Bold Concert" where the Christian band 'Building 429' will be playing at 10 a.m. Give the band Your sounds, and allow their songs to pierce the hearts of the people that You draw to this event. We thank you for this opportunity to share the gospel at such a special event.
Lord, we pray for the 'Parent Seminar' that will take place on January 20, 2011. Give the speaker, Jay Strack, the words that are from Your heart, that will help parents to understand what God is calling this generation to, and how to equip them for their journey. Lord, we pray for the 'Leader's Summit' the next day, that the First Priority student leaders will attend. We ask You to fill them up and inspire them with how to lead others on their campuses, socially and spiritually. We ask, Lord God, that you would bless Chick-fil-A for sponsoring this event. Raise up leaders at this event, who will understand how to raise up other leaders. Help them to understand that You don't want other kids to follow them, but You want other kids to learn how to follow You, Father God. We ask for each of these events, that You would send Your anointing, and that the attendees would have open hearts. We ask for wisdom for the speakers, and inspiration for the bands. We ask for all of the technical equipment to work flawlessly and for the students to have a clearer vision of Who You are and what You want to do through their generation, and through them personally.
Finally, Lord Adonai, we pray for the "Leadership Rocks" youth conference that will take place March 4-5, 2011. Again, draw who You will and work in them, both to will and to work for Your good pleasure. Lord, let 2011 be the year that we see a monumental harvest, and an army of youth that will run over us if we don't follow you closely. Set them ablaze Lord Jesus, and help us to learn from You, and from them as they walk out what they are called to do.
We ask You these things in all humility,
Joan McKinney
