Pray Lubbock Pastors Newsletter

Vol. 3 No. 7                                                                                                                        July 2001   

 Are You Ready?

How can we ever manage a second child?  Although pastors have multiple groups within their congregations, they often see themselves as having one “baby”, as if they are a parenting a single child – the congregation the Lord has entrusted into their hands.  At a city-focused intercessory group praying for Lubbock, one of the intercessors got this picture from the Lord:

The impression I had was that the Lord was asking them [the pastors] to receive a new child into their hearts.  Their own congregation represents their first child, but revival in the city represents the second child the Lord wants to give them. If pastors will receive His gift, He will give them the increased love, energy, strength, wisdom, and knowledge necessary to receive the birth of this new child. 

There must be much prayer and wisdom put into how the first child will receive the second child.  God wants the first child to receive with joy and anticipation the next child, with a willing heart, to love and nurture this child alongside the pastors of the city.  However, there will be those who will not receive news of the second child well and will be jealous and angry that this new child will upset the peace of the house. 

Much prayer needs to be put into action asking the Lord to prepare our hearts for revival.  The Church as she stands today is not ready to receive the prodigals or go after the lost.  However, this is God’s will, and only He can prepare His church as we yield to His will.

Our next pastors’ summit will address these opportunities.  The focus: equipping congregations to cooperatively reach a city.  We’ll explore pastoring a city without losing sight of our congregation.  See “Summit with Haggard,” side two.

Summit dates: September 13-14, 2001

Lighthouse Flash Update

We have enjoyed greater communication with our lighthouses of prayer as a result of the Lighthouse Flash.  This mailing is also keeping our list fresh, revealing a surprising number of lighthouses moving out of our city.  When did you last recruit lighthouses at your place?  We always need more.  Remember: Every citizen prayed for or praying!

Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire West Texas Conference 2001

Wendell Davis, pastor of Lyon’s Chapel Baptist Church, is providing coordinating leadership for a conference in Lubbock this fall.  This regional conference, slated for October 17-19, will feature dynamic preaching in the evenings, practical daytime workshops, a women’s luncheon on Thursday and a pastors’ luncheon on Friday.  This effort is the cooperative work of several Lubbock congregations.  Pastor Davis would like to invite pastors to come to the conference room of the Metro Tower 30 minutes prior to the prayer meeting on Wednesday, July 18.  He will share more information and answer questions.

Prayer Meeting, Fellowship Meal

Can you believe last month we started our third year of prayer meetings in the Metro Tower?  Many pastors across our city have found downtown parking places and taken the Metro Tower elevators 19 floors above the city.  Plan to take your place this month beside co-pastors in praying for the welfare of this city.  For our meal, we will go to the Omni Café, located one block south of the Tower at 1205 13^th Street.  The Omni Café is including a free drink with your purchase of their sandwich, chips and fruit cup lunch for $5.

Citywide Fellowship Dessert

Dessert will never taste better than when eaten in the company of the Body of Christ, represented by congregations all over the city.  On Sunday, July 22, at 7:00 p.m., Faith Worship Tabernacle, Grace Church, Quaker Avenue Church of Christ, Jesus Place Church, Levi Ministries and Westwood Evangelism Center will gather with St Luke’s Methodist for a dessert at their Fellowship Hall, 45^th and Memphis.  All are welcome!  Bring a dessert to share!  We’ll discuss the ministry of lighthouses.  These congregations will also gather for the August Concert of Praise at Atzlan Park on August 9^th.  Also, see “7^th Prayer Walk”, side two.

Seventh Citywide Prayer Walk:

Prayers for You as a Pastor

These prayers for pastors have been written by Terry Teykl, based on Scripture.  If you appreciate these prayers, you may want to get a copy of the book referenced below.  Also, the full list of 40 prayers can be found on our website: www.praylubbock.com.

 31.   As your anointing teaches my pastor, teach us and admonish us in truth.  Let your anointing be strong and powerful to convert the lost and convict the sinful (Luke 4:18; 1 John 2:27).

32.  Lord, by your Holy Spirit, anoint my pastor to preach, and bring apostolic results (Acts 2:37).  Let people be cut to the heart and accept Jesus Christ.  Amen.

33.  As my pastor speaks the Word, let signs and wonders follow confirming it (Mark 16:20).  Let the sick be healed; let the oppressed be set free.  Anoint him/her with the truth (Matt. 16:17).  With you, Lord, all things are possible.

34.  Lord, as you have promised, grant my beloved shepherd lasting fruit (Mal. 3:11; John 15:16).  Let my pastor’s converts become disciples who in turn disciple.  Bless my pastor with disciples who grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

35.  God, I say that my shepherd will stand firm.  Nothing will move my pastor (1 Cor. 15:58).  May my pastor always give him or herself fully to your work because my pastor’s labor is not in vain.

36.  O Lord, take my pastor’s hand so that he or she will not fear.  Lead my pastor through difficult times.  Let my pastor know that you are near and that you are my pastor’s God.  My pastor will not be dismayed.  You will strengthen my pastor and help and uphold him or her with your righteous right hand (Is. 41:10).

37.  O God, allow my pastor to enter your rest (Heb. 4; Matt. 11:28).  Put your yoke on my pastor.  When my pastor is heavily laden or burdened, may he or she find comfort and peace in you, refreshed and renewed by your power in every aspect of my pastor’s life.

38.  Father, I thank you for my pastor’s call and gifts (Col. 1:3-6).  I praise you for sending such a shepherd for my soul!  To you belong honor and glory.  You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being (Rev. 4:11).  Amen.

39.  Lord, make my pastor strong and filled with courage for every task (Josh. 1).  Let my pastor lead us to inherit our city for you.  Thank you for being with him/her.

40.  In Jesus’ name, my pastor shall fight the good fight of faith, fleeing from evil to God by pursuing righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness (1 Tim. 6:12).  I praise you, Lord, that you have taken hold of this special shepherd in the personal experience of eternal life.  Amen.

 -- Excerpted from Your Pastor:  Preyed On or Prayed For by Terry Teykl

Haggard to Keynote Fall Summit

Ted Haggard last came to Lubbock to speak at our first Pray Lubbock public event: the initial launching of over 1,000 lighthouses of prayer.  Ted also met with the Pray Lubbock Ministry Team while in Lubbock, giving advice such as, “Don’t look to other cities to determine what you should do; ask the Lord what unique thing He wants to do in Lubbock, then do that.” (Great advice!)  He also met with pastors and leading intercessors while here.

The ministry team feels it would be beneficial for pastors all over our region to spend time with this man.  He has played a leading role in developing The Net, the city church of Colorado Springs, as well as serving as pastor of New Life Church and co-founding the World Prayer Center.  Including and empowering others seems to be second nature with him.

Mark September 13-14 on your calendars for our next summit. You’ll need to block out Thursday noon through Friday afternoon.  Let’s learn together strategic insights in how to pastor our congregations into cooperative Kingdom work.  More details will follow shortly.

Body Prayer

Last month, we introduced the idea of a common list of congregations for which we could all be praying.  Many congregations already pray for other congregations regularly.  We are simply trying to urge more to pray and also focus the prayer force already in place.  If you have any questions about those listed, contact our office.  Here are the congregations suggested for July and for August:

July 15                            Salvation Ministries

July 22      Shepherd King Lutheran Church

July 29                                        Smith Temple

Aug. 5                                      Southcrest Baptist

Aug. 12                              St. Luke’s Methodist

Aug. 19                           St. Matthew Methodist

Aug. 26                    The Acts Church

Welcoming New Leaders of

Campus Ministries

We would like to have a reception for new leaders of the Christian campus ministries around the city in August.  Personnel in these positions change frequently, so we would appreciate your input.  If you have a new person in your congregation who is responsible for your outreach to the university campuses of our city, please let us know.  We would not only like to get acquainted, but also keep them informed of the prayer meetings and other events involving college students. You may call 749-PRAY to leave information or e-mail steve@praylubbock.com.