FEBRUARY 2009

February is here and we have been in a time of prayer and consecration for so many issues before us.  The year of 2009 presents some unique challenges for the people of God.  The recent past was a time of unusual financial blessing and prosperity for our nation and church - it seemed everyone from every walk of life found financial success.  What we have come to learn is that financial prosperity was built on a foundation of debt and now it is apparent that the nation is at the precipice of a deep economic gorge.  Even in good times many in our community suffer, worse yet in times of national economic crisis our neighborhoods fall at the extreme end of economic despair.

However, it is in these times of economic and political crisis that people are often more sensitive to tug of the Holy Spirit and the message of the gospel.  The church then is in a very unique position.  To be sure, we do not want to see our church members, neighbors, and love ones suffer job loss and financial need.  Yet, we want God to have his way in drawing people to him when their hearts are most sensitive to him - a condition at times only extreme situations can create.  Our task then as believers is to intercede for men and women, within our churches and outside the larger community.  We pray a two-fold prayer.  First, we pray for the Holy Spirit to draw people of all cultures and economic classes to him so that he could fill the God-sized void in their lives with the love of Christ Jesus.  He is the only lasting and permanent solution in this financial climate -- he is the only true economic recovery plan.  Then we pray for the church to be equipped to help those in our community who are suffering from job loss, healthcare, and overall wellness.

The entire month of February is given to intense prayer and sincere fasting.  We all agree that our country, our family, and the world is facing deep crisis' affecting all of humanity - the crisis is of global proportions.  The dilemma we face is not only financial; there is also a deep moral and spiritual bankruptcy in our land.  However, scripture encourages us that prayer is a powerful instrument used to restore spiritual, moral and economic health to any community.  Like King Solomon we have the promise that "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and I will heal their land" - II Chronicles 7:14.  Please join us during this month as we pray together for restoration, reconciliation and healing

In the Master’s Service, Your Friend

Heraclio Wyatt, Sr Pastor February 2009