More than 75 people from Montana and North Dakota attended a prayer conference, arranged by Donna Wagner, Montana Conference prayer ministry coordinator. Peter Neri, Indiana Conference ministerial secretary, led the conference, themed Moving the Arm of Omnipotence. Mark Bond, a Missoula Church member, shared his musical talents. We were richly blessed by the praise music and theme song "Hear our Prayer, Oh Lord."
Friday evening we broke into small groups and studied two different prayers, from Ezra 9 and Daniel 9. We learned about intercessory prayer, defined first by praying in humility, then confessing our sins, and finally asking for forgiveness for ourselves and others. We realized each one must first be convicted of the necessity of prayer, to recognize who God is and what He has done. We learned intercessory prayer blesses the person you are praying for and yourself.
Sabbath afternoon we broke into smaller groups of two or three, and we found texts to use as promises and encouragement for our pastors, teachers and administration. We pictured Jesus praying for Himself, Jesus praying for His disciples, and Jesus praying for all believers—that they may see His glory.
The Encounter prayer time led by Neri gave each of us time to talk with our Heavenly Father, Creator, Friend, and to submit our hearts to the convicting work of the Holy Sprit, to ask Him to remove sin from our life and from our records, and ask for spiritual discernment. We took time to let God speak to us, to listen, and to praise Him.
Please consider attending the prayer conference next February. Let's invite the Holy Spirit into our lives and watch the changes. Let's pray in specifics. Praying can be a powerful tool in your life—at home, at work and in your church. Start today.
Donna Wagner, Mark Bond and Peter Neri take a break between sessions during the prayer conference.
