I would like to announce to you that for the fifth time I am calling the Church of God of Prophecy to begin the New Year with 21 days of prayer and fasting. We have referred to this time as our Season of Seeking. Let me share why I feel impressed to declare this call another time throughout the Church of God of Prophecy. There is clearly a God-breathed movement of prayer stirring in the world today, and I want the Church of God of Prophecy to participate and experience all that God has for those who will join Him there. Coming from our International Assembly with our theme "Pursuing His Spirit," I feel deeply that a "Season of Seeking" such as this gives all of our churches, leaders,and people an opportunity to be involved. The needs and opportunities before us as a worldwide ministry are great and I feel our only real recourse is to seek God for His strength to achieve all He has placed before us. And, finally, dedicating the first days of the New Year to calling on the name of the Lord is the best way I can think of to start the fresh New Year God has given us with eyes toward Him, ears open to Him, and hearts hungry for Him.We at the International Offices invite all of our leaders, churches, and people to join in this Season of Seeking in any level of participation they feel is best. Fasting is always a personal conviction if it is to be of maximum benefit to anyone. Many will be fasting completely through these first 21 days of the year.
Others are certainly free to give themselves to prayer all of these days and to fast in the method they feel would be best for them. We feel the Lord is honored in a call to this 21-Day Season of Seeking, and each person's response at any level will only add to our unity in prayer and seeking God. I know that you will help us to spread the word to all of our churches about this opportunity to fast and pray. A fasting guide is available by clicking http://cogop.org/ministries/prayer-ministries/simulcast-host-locations-2.html
Because of the capability of technology, I am extremely excited about a way that people of the Church of God of Prophecy and beyond can participate in this 21-Day Season of Seeking. On Friday, January 21, we will offer a LIVE webcast service from one of our local churches that will feature an evening of worship and directed prayers. The webcast, the first of its kind for us, will give churches and members around the word an opportunity to unite together in celebration and praise, as we seek God's direction at the start of a New Year. For more information about the webcast, or to sign-up as a Host Church, click http://cogop.org/ministries/prayer-ministries/downloadable-resources.html. To find a Host location in your area, click http://cogop.org/ministries/prayer-ministries/simulcast-host-locations.html. Please check back often as this list will continue to grow.
Perhaps you have heard that the call at the Assembly for 1,000 Upper Room Prayer Ministries has already received response and participation from more than 1,500. We are in touch with these each month to unite for prayer targets and to encourage and inspire. As your leaders join in this 21-Day Season of Seeking, they will be uniting with these 1,500 prayer ministries around the world, calling on God for fresh outpourings of His Spirit so that we may declare His Gospel effectively where we minister. Together we are claiming the promises of God as we unite, pray, fast, and believe.
"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it" (John 14:13,14).
"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not" (Jeremiah 33:3).
"Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession" (Psalm 2:8).
Glorifying God Through PRAYER and Leadership Development, all the HARVEST.
Bishop R. E. Howard, General Overseer
