SEEK GOD FOR THE IRON RANGE

March 9^th begins our forty days of prayer for the Iron Range .  In your church mailbox is the prayer guide entitled, “Seek God for the City”.  It is my desire that each of us will personalize these forty days as we pray for people of the Iron Range .  Here are ways in which we hope to enhance our 40 days of prayer;

ü    I will be doing a preaching series that is in conjunction with the prayer guide. 

ü    Please take time to read the introduction to the prayer guide on pages 1-5 prior to March 9^th.

ü    Take note of pages 58 & 59 to enable you to personalize your prayers.

ü    Check out books from the Library table in church foyer & participate in the extra challenges.

ü    Take advantage of public prayer gatherings such as…

a.   Community Prayer Service at First Assembly in Hibbing 6:30pm on the first Wed of each month,

b.   Praying for the Iron Range at the Nashwauk Alliance Church 6:30pm each 1^st and 4^th Tuesday of each month,

c.    Join the overnight Head of the Lakes Pastors Fellowship Prayer Retreat at Big Sandy Camp March 13-14, 2011,

d.   And of course we have our own Wednesday 6:00pm Prayer Service each week (except on the first Wed of each month when we join First Assembly).

ü    Beginning March 9^th make use of our permanent Prayer Room, located in the Fellowship Hall Apostle John Room .

Why are we doing this 40 days of prayer initiative? Because our neighbors need hope that only God can provide.  Because many of our neighbors know nothing about God and are seperated from Him because of sin.  Because Satan has had his grip on the Iron Range too long and it is time to see it redeemed for God and His Kingdom.

This forty-day season has two basic parts. During the first eleven days we will be seeking God’s face.

II Chronicles 7:14

“…And My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

The rest of the time, we will be seeking God’s kingdom.

Matthew 6:10

“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

So lets join together to Pray God’s greatest hopes during the 40 days leading to Palm Sunday. It’s an ideal time to pursue God’s promises for the Iron Range .  Let’s Pray God’s greatest hopes for the deepest needs of our communities. Pray for the urgent needs with long-range vision. Pray God’s greatest hopes for the deepest needs with practical passion. Simple, powerful prayers open our heart to God’s purposes. Cultivate sincere desire to know Christ and see Him glorified in our world beginning in our community.

I look forward to having a major role, along with you, in Seeking God for the Iron Range .

Pastor Kevin