Churches Called to 'Lift Up Your Voice' in 366 Days of Prayer
Churches are being called to become the voices of the faithful to intercede for those who have yet to know Jesus Christ through a nationwide prayer initiative beginning in January.
Churches are being called to become the voices of the faithful to intercede for those who have yet to know Jesus Christ through a nationwide prayer initiative beginning in January.
Spearheaded by the International Mission Board, Lift Up Your Voice is a year-long prayer effort inviting churches across the nation to pray for both the lost and the missionaries who are spreading the gospel throughout the world.
The prayer initiative is centered around best-selling author Beth Moore's 366-day devotional guide titled Voices of the Faithful. Released this past summer, the book is a compilation of true stories written by hundreds of missionaries to help encourage believers and guide each prayer participant each day.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"Prayer is not merely a form of 'spiritual calisthenics.' It is a vital aspect of global ministry that directly impacts our missionaries and the peoples to whom they minister," said Ed Cox, director of IMB International Prayer. "I invite you to ‘lift up your voice’ and join God’s call to prayer for the nations."
On Jan. 27, IMB will present a special simulcast on Churches Communication Network (CCN) to worship and celebrate the call to prayer. The 90-minute event, also scheduled for rebroadcast on Jan. 29, will feature Moore, David Jeremiah – pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church, and Carrie McDonnall – former IMB worker who was critically injured in Iraq in 2004 and author of Facing Terror, among others.
Stressing the vitality of prayer in the mission field, Wendy Norville, spokesperson for the Richmond, Va.-based agency of IMB, said, "We are aware that there are many Southern Baptists whose prayer undergird and make possible all the personnel are able to do in the field. We depend on them daily."
Norville explained that the prayer initiative provides for a more strategic method of praying through the devotional guide.
"We are waiting in great expectation to witness what can happen when God's people pray specifically," she said. "Many of our personnel overseas testify [that] when there's a specific need and people pray specifically, God does amazing things."
While participation mainly comes from the Southern Baptist Convention, Norville encourages all churches to take part in the large prayer movement.
Jerry Rankin, President of International Mission Board, noted, "Those who are called to the mission field sacrifice everything they have - lives of personal comfort and safety - to bring the precious message of Jesus to those who don't know Him. Those who stay behind play a crucial role in furthering the kingdom.
"Lift Up Your Voice. It will change your life. It will change your church's life. It will change the lives of others."
Broadcast schedules of the Lift Up Your Voice simulcast is available at www.ccn.tv. For more information, visit www.voicesofthefaithful.com.
