40/40 Prayer Vigil ~ Going on the Spiritual Offensive

Prayer: Spiritual War, Spiritual Weapons

By Richard Leach

J. Edwin Orr has pointed out that prayer has an essential role in the recognition of God’s people and that their heart and the attitude of their nation toward God are intricately connected.  That prayer signals an acknowledgement of the drifting and, for many, moves over time moves from a prayer solely for the nation to a confession of sin, a brokenness over the impact of sin, and an obedience to Christ.  In the wake of such a change in the people of God, the Spirit of God is released in a way that results in transforming the nation.  Jesus spoke of just such an impact of the coming of the Holy Spirit in John 16:8.

We are never surprised when the needs of a nation turn the people of God to pray.  The acknowledgment of God’s role reshaping of the condition of life has always been a part of the initial cry for help, which for many has been ignored.  Today, we are witnessing multiple calls to prayer, calls that we should join because they are an opportunity to ignite an expression of a hope that has been ignored because things have been good.  Please join me in praying.  I encourage you to consider the 40/40 Prayer Vigil, a resource that Dr Harris (Interim President at the North American Mission Board) and Dr Land (President at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission) have partnered to provide for Southern Baptists.

The 40/40 Prayer Vigil is an opportunity for Christians to meet God’s conditions for spiritual revival and national renewal. It consists of 40 days of prayer from September 20 to October 29, culminating in 40 hours of constant prayer from October 29 to 31. To participate and download a free prayer guide, click here.