News from CentralAZ Prayer Ministry

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December 2011 Newsletter

24-7 Answers to Prayer

When the 24-7 Prayer Room opens on any campus, we in the Prayer Team hold our breath to see what God is about to do. We know from past years that this is something the Lord uses in powerful ways in people's lives. We've heard the stories and seen the transformations in the days and weeks following 24-7.

This year has been no exception. As I write, 24-7 is still going on in Glendale for the first time ever. We anxiously await stories from there.

Unfortunately, though this was to be the first year also for Queen Creek, because it was to be held outside, the rain forced us to cancel that prayer time appearance. It was a hard decision to make as we so wanted to share the experience with Queen Creek at their own location.

But from the Mesa and Gilbert campus experiences, we have ample stories to share with you about how God answers when His people take the time to be with Him and come to Him in prayer. Read More Here.

Hope and Prayer for Field Workers

For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope." Romans 8:20

This is a story of prayer and hope written by a Central global field worker couple who have been going through health trials. They have graciously agreed to let us share their thoughts on both prayer and hope here. Please pray for our global field workers around the globe.

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A friend recently shared a web article on futility that seemed such a prophetic act, given the events of this past month. The article begins: "Are you tired of fighting futility"...each step forward seeming to end in three backward, that things are falling apart? But the article also points out that the point of futility is that God uses it to build hope within us. For our God, this is a pattern. He is a God who chooses death as a means to life, poverty as a means to eternal riches, and humility as a means to exaltation.

We came back (to the U.S.) expecting our health issues to have simple fixes, but it has not gone that direction. A simple gall bladder surgery resulted in complications that are still not fully resolved. Back treatments that have worked in past years have not made a dent in the back pain that persists in wearing him down. Eye surgery seemed simple...schedule and get it done... but we are still in the clutches of a bureaucracy that sends him from doctor to doctor through a series of referrals, and the surgery dates are not yet a reality. Nonetheless, in our weakness God's strength is sufficient to lean upon...our hope in a time of health troubles.

We were feeling like time is being wasted, that we had been pulled astray from being God's servants, yet He persists in providing us with opportunities to share and encourage faith amongst strangers He puts in our path; family that has been too long distressed; seekers in our foreign home who are reaching across the miles and asking us for help to understand visions, dreams and "experiences" they are having; and time with possible new workers. God has reminded us that prayer, the most important servant role, is still our task no matter where we are or how weak we feel.

Divine appointments, in a different venue, give hope that we can still be useful, wherever we are, to His salvation cause. We know that God answers prayers offered in faith, yet sometimes the effort seems futile when the answers are so long in coming. But then an answer does come and hope is again nourished. We have been reminded this month that futility can be turned on its head by our sovereign God...hope is the reward of wading through the seemingly futile activities of living. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of hope. And the gift of prayer.

Prayer Ministry Offers Life Coaching!

Have you tried several things and felt like you were not growing like you wanted to? I know I did. Then about three years ago I ran into a 26-week program that is effective and focused. It is very intense, but frankly has helped more than anything I have ever done. After I went through the program and shared it's impact, others have wanted to try it. To date we have seven people (four men and three women) who have been coached, and they are coaching seven others.

The word is getting out and several have requested a coach. If you think you might be interested, please contact Rick Jurgens at Jurgy111@yahoo.com, and he will get you on the waiting list. The program is free except you have to purchase the book. It will rock your world. Plan on two to three hours of work at home each week, mostly looking up scripture verses and grasping concepts.

It could be just what you are looking for!

Indonesia Anyone?

Paul will be leading another prayer journey to Indonesia April 8 to 22^nd 2012. If you have never gone on one of these prayer journeys, you will want to put this on your bucket list. We spend several hours each day praying for workers, work on the field, and for the country we are visiting. The trip is guaranteed to stretch you and improve your prayer life.

Contact Paul if you are interested at Paul.Covert@centralaz.com

Prayer in the News Logo

LET THANKSGIVING PROMPT US TO ACTIONS OF GENEROSITY

As you read this, Christmas is likely on your mind, and thoughts of the 2011 Thanksgiving holiday are a recent memory, but hopefully your prayers of thanksgiving continue each and every day. An article in the HIGH PLAINS/MIDWEST JOURNAL reminds us that we have every reason to give thanks to our Lord Jesus every time we visit a grocery store or restaurant. Even in a tremendously tough world economy, most Americans are blessed with a great variety and abundance of food. Hopefully, the thankfulness of those who have plenty will overflow into actions of generosity and fill the food pantries that provide for those who are in need. Read "A simple Prayer of Thanks."

PRAYER AT PENN STATE

Prior to Penn State's first game following the news of sexual abuse, Ron Brown led players in a very public prayer in the name of Jesus, during a not-so-silent "moment of silence." Watch the raw video on You Tube (it comes on after an ad plays). Read about it in an article by Alexander Angert at blog.pennlive.com.

KEEP PRAYING FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

As courts in the U.S. debate whether or not public prayer is constitutional, Christians in other parts of the world must consider whether or not a private prayer meeting will cost them their very lives. Although the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church has come and gone, this article from crosswalk.com reminds us that we need to continue in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world. It should also remind us that Christians in the U.S.A., should not take the "freedom of religion" for granted. Read this article from crosswalk.com.

NIGERIAN CHRISTIANS ASK US TO PRAY FOR STRENGTH

"They don't ask for us to pray that persecution would stop. They pray instead, that they would be strong in the midst of persecution." In the past year, more than 2,000 Nigerian Christians were killed by those who stand against them. The previous quote is from an article by Gary Lane, CBN News Correspondent. Read more.

STUDENTS HONOR VETERANS AND LEARN A FAMOUS PRAYER

When students at Ambleside School in San Angelo Texas participated in a program to honor the men and women who fight for our country, they learned that prayer is chronicled in U.S. History. Read all about it.

BLIND WOMAN 'SEES' POWER OF PRAYER

A woman's aunt asked her what she wanted her to pray for and she said, "All right, God. I totally want my sight back." Read the article by Bill McClellan, published in an October 26^th, 2011 edition of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

DETROIT PRAYS FOR CITY AND NATION

It's reported that over 27,000 people gathered at Ford Field to pray for spiritual renewal in America and, more specifically, that the nation would repent of a number of social ills. Read more in an article from The New American.com

On Our Knees for Central

The church, like the individuals who comprise it, is in constant need of prayer. Please join us as we ask for God's guidance, help and blessing concerning the following: Read more here.