wfn.org | Newsline: Church of the Brethren moderator calls for season of prayer, fasting

[cobnews <cobnews@brethren.org>]

Newsline: Church of the Brethren News Service, News Director Cheryl Brumbau gh-Cayford, 800-323-8039 ext. 260, cobnews@brethren.org

CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN MODERATOR CALLS FOR SEASON OF PRAYER AND FASTING

(May 26, 2009) Elgin, IL -- The moderator of the Church of the Brethren Ann ual Conference, David Shumate, is urging every congregation and every membe r of the Church of the Brethren to set aside May 24-31 as a "Season of Pray er and Fasting" on behalf of the denomination in particular and the wider c hurch and society in general.

The moderator made the call along with the leaders of the main Church of th e Brethren agencies and the church's Council of District Executives. The mo derator of the Annual Conference is the highest elected position in the Chu rch of the Brethren.

In a letter sent out earlier in May, Shumate identified the past few months  as "difficult for the world economy in general" and seriously affecting th e church. "Staff reductions have taken place," he wrote. "Giving has decrea sed significantly in some areas. Investments have been frozen or not as pro ductive. Pastoral programs have been reduced. Pensions for retired pastors  and church workers are facing a reduction in the assumption rate."

In the face of these difficulties, he wrote in part, "the first reaction to  difficulty and trouble is to devote ourselves to prayer and fasting." Shum ate quoted from Nehemiah 1:4, a prophet he identified as a model for the ch urch in engaging in "two of the most effective spiritual disciplines in the  Hebrew tradition, prayer and fasting. As he did so, a new vision from God  began to become clear."

The letter encouraged the placement of the following suggestions for prayer  and fasting in worship bulletins on Sunday, May 24, and the placing of thi s information on church bulletin boards and websites. "Make a special effor t to draw attention to them during your worship services, Bible studies, an d prayer meetings," Shumate requested.

Following are the daily themes and scriptures suggested for May 24-31:

-- May 24: Theme "Deeply Rooted," Psalm 1(3). Prayer emphases: Acknowledge  God's goodness, power, and abundant love for all. Give thanks for God's ste adfast love for the Church of the Brethren over the past 300 years. Give th anks for the faithfulness of Brethren leaders, past and present.

-- May 25: "You will be my witnesses," Acts 1:1-10(8). Prayer emphases: Giv e thanks for the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board as it le ads our denomination in service and mission to a hurting world. Pray for th e church as it reaches out to individuals and communities near and far with  the healing love and power of the gospel. Give thanks for those servants o f the church who have recently lost their employment. May they receive wisd om and guidance as they discern God's will for their life and ministry. Pra y for God's wisdom and guidance for all who serve in positions of leadershi p within the Church of the Brethren.

-- May 26: "Together," Acts 2:42-47(44-45). Prayer emphases: Give thanks fo r the ministry of Brethren Benefit Trust and the challenge it gives to us t o care for the needs of the church and for the needs of one another. Pray t hat your congregation might be attuned to the needs of persons in your comm unity who may be struggling during these difficult economic times. Ask God  to help you to find ways to work to strengthen relationships within your co ngregation, your district and the wider church.

-- May 27: "Messengers of Reconciliation," 2 Corinthians 5:18-19. Prayer em phases: Give thanks for the ministry of On Earth Peace and Christ's vision  peace and reconciliation that it holds before us. Pray for a greater awaren ess of our need for reconciliation within our families, our congregations,  our communities and our world.

-- May 28: "Many Gifts, One Spirit," 1 Corinthians 12:4-11(4-6). Prayer emp hases: Give thanks for the ministry of Bethany Theological Seminary as it p repares pastors and leaders for the church. Give thanks for God's gifts of  knowledge. Ask God to give you wisdom as you cultivate this gift within you rself so that you will use it for "the glory of God and my neighbor's good. "

-- May 29: "Many Parts, One Body," 1 Corinthians 12:12-20(12-13). Prayer em phases: Praise God for the many men and women who serve Christ and the chur ch faithfully in our districts and congregations. Pray for God's wisdom and  direction for our pastors and district leaders as they lead us during thes e challenging times. Pray for a greater awareness of our connectedness and  dependence upon one another as members of the Body of Christ.

-- May 30: "The Old Has Gone; the New Has Come," 2 Corinthians 5:16-21(17).  Prayer emphases: Give thanks for the ministry of the Church of the Brethre n Annual Conference as it facilitates the work of the church. Ask for God's  guidance and inspiration for our Moderator and officers who lead the confe rence. Pray for the gathering of the community of faith on June 26-30 in Sa n Diego. Ask God to show you what new thing He is creating in your life and  in the life of the church today.

-- May 31--Pentecost Sunday: "Renewal of the Spirit," Acts 2:1-21(18). Pray er emphases: Give thanks for your faith community and its impact upon your  life and spiritual growth as a disciple of Christ. Pray for the outpouring  of the Spirit on all God's people as they worship today. Pray for the leadi ng of the Spirit as the Church of the Brethren and its congregations look t o the future.

The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to continu ing the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its faith in  community. The denomination is based in the Anabaptist and Pietist faith t raditions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches. It celebrated it s 300th anniversary in 2008. It counts some 125,000 members across the Unit ed States and Puerto Rico, and has missions and sister churches in Nigeria,  Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and India.

># # #

>For more information contact:

>Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford
>Director of News Services
>Church of the Brethren
>1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120
>800-323-8039 ext. 260
>cobnews@brethren.org