As in the past, Oklahoma Baptists will observe a state-wide night of prayer and repentance on the Sunday evening prior to the State Evangelism Conference, Jan. 25-26, 2106.
“Praying together as unashamed bold witnesses”
These times before God’s throne are always powerful encounters with the living Savior. While the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO) Evangelism Team and Office of Prayer encourage united prayer state-wide, the mid-state region is urged to gather in one location. This year’s gathering will be at Oklahoma City, Southern Hills from 5-6:30 p.m., Jan. 24. The prayer meeting will give special focus to being unashamed bold witnesses and empowered for missions.
Please note that the regional night of prayer is at a location different from the actual site of the Evangelism Conference. The difference of location is to allow final set-up at Del City, First Southern and prevent distraction at the site of the prayer meeting. Each year, several mid-state churches transfer their evening service to the site of the regional Night of Prayer. There is something incredibly special about many churches gathering at one location to pray and worship in one accord. (Acts 2:1-2) This year will surely be no exception as churches gather at Southern Hills.
Prayer formats for the Night of Prayer
Each year, many churches outside the central state region conduct their own night of prayer and repentance. For churches or associations desiring to do their own prayer meeting, the BGCO Office of Prayer provides detailed guides and formats for conducting a variety of prayer meetings. Since the Night of Prayer is connected to the Evangelism Conference, just log onto sec.okbaptist.com/schedule/solemn-assembly/ and download the formats.
The prayer formats give detailed options all the way from 10 minutes of corporate prayer in worship services to a full two-hour prayer meeting. There is even an option for conducting at least some corporate prayer in a Sunday morning worship service and then a major prayer meeting in the evening. The downloadable prayer guides include practical principles that can be used year round. Our greatest hope is that periodic special nights of prayer will inspire stronger patterns of prayer year round. Another powerful option is for believers to embrace a heart preparation guide in the week before the Jan. 24 Night of Prayer.
A seven-day heart preparation guide
For heart preparation, consider the seven-day cleansing guide created by the Office of Prayer. The guide consists of a day-by-day process for full repentance and surrender to Christ’s Lordship. Obviously, no prayer meeting will be stronger than believers’ level of surrender to Jesus. You can download this cleansing guide from the same website where you find the prayer formats listed above. This tool is something that can be used year round.
In keeping with this year’s SEC theme, “Unashamed,” prayer and yielded hearts are surely a vital key to supernatural boldness. Nothing could be more important than beginning this great SEC conference on our knees. Whether in churches across the state or at Oklahoma City, Southern Hills, may the evening of Jan. 24 find Oklahoma Baptists praying in one accord. To God be all glory and praise!
To comment on this article, visit
baptistmessenger.com
