Reflections
- Rev. Sandra Marquardt
- Aug 18
- 2 min read
Did you know that you can be assured that our recent Annual Conference in Sioux City, IA was thoroughly covered in prayer? The Conference Prayer & Intercession Team met before registration time to pray over the Conference, the venue, the delegates, visitors, staff, vendors, all participants, and events. One of the themes of the Prayer Team has been “Every Church a House of Prayer”. We believe – as do many of you – that prayer is integral to our spiritual growth and life of faith through God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
We believe prayer is a mighty act of faith in our personal relationship with the Holy Trinity, and this is magnified in the corporate worship and praise of our Almighty God and Savior Jesus Christ in our houses of worship – the Body of Christ – the Church.
The Conference center became our “church” during the Annual Conference, and the Prayer Team members chose an area with two evergreen trees to set up a “Prayer Station”. A few chairs were available for people to sit, rest, pray, ponder, to “Be still and know ...” [Ps 46:10]. Signs on the chairs encouraged conference attendees to “Sit long – Pray Much”. Available on the prayer station table: (1) a small shell with water “Remember your Baptism and be Thankful…”; (2) [Blessed] Communion sets “The Body of Christ broken for you… the Blood of Christ shed for you…” [Matt 26:26-29]; and (3) small bottles of anointing oil “Is anyone among you in trouble? Is anyone among you sick? … anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.” [James 5:13-14]
We also continue to keep all of the following in our prayers (and more …) both in our personal prayers and through our monthly prayer meetings as a Conference Prayer Team, and we urge you to pray with us as well:
That prayer becomes an essential ministry in every church, so our churches may become houses of prayer.
For God’s wisdom, insight, and guidance for the bishops and pastors of our Conference.
For an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and for revival and renewal in all churches within our Conference, the GMC, the U.S., and around the world.
For the effectiveness and well-being of pastors, clear vision, and unity for churches.
For God’s blessings upon our church planting ministries and youth ministries.
For God’s grace and mercy upon those suffering from natural disasters.
For the General Conference and General Conference delegates.
