Praying for Our City

Last week, some folks had the priviledge of being on the top floor of Jackson Hospital's Goode Bldg and looking over the city to pray for our area. Those of us who were there, were struck by the many different and diverse groups of people as we looked over neighborhoods. We knew that there were people below us who were struggling with things beyond their control OR with choices they had made.

Pray this week as you go about your day that those of us who are believers would be courageous enough to share with people who are hurting or separated from Christ.

REMEMBER: "But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us".
Romans 5:8

School is starting back.....over the last few weeks this has been in the news. They have cited many instances of bullying in ALL of our schools over the last years...private and public. NO SCHOOL is immuned from violence and NO SCHOOL is immuned from bullying.

PRAY FOR STUDENTS...Pray that the kids will find peace and confidence in Christ.

PRAY FOR TEACHERS and ADMINISTRATION..that they will have wisdom and compassion.

PRAY FOR PARENTS...that they will have the means to teach their kids the right way to live. That parents will come to know the everlasting peace of Christ as well.

Ephesians 4:31-32
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you".



Ephesians 4:31-32

Continue to pray for a HEART CHANGE among believers here in the Greater Montgomery area...only through God changing our hearts and we being open to the Holy Spirit using US to reach people can this area be changed. Politics, news talk rants, policies, laws can't change hearts. Would you consider being used by the Lord today to bring hope and healing to someone?


Galatians 5:25-26
"If we live by the Spirit, let's also walk by the Spirit. Let's not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another".

Being a Neighbor

Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge:

“Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously.” Matthew 10:5-8 The Message

These days “neighbor” has taken on a different meaning from when I was growing up. Most of the people in my neighborhood in Birmingham had been there for several generations; we all had common roots. Things have changed a lot from the 1960’s/70’s. My neighbors in Montgomery are “red and yellow, black and white.” According to Matthew 10:5-8, we are to go out “to the neighborhood” and “tell them” about the Kingdom of God. We are to bring health to the sick, touch the untouchables and be generous…sharing what we have been given by the Lord with those in need. One of the best ways of showing our international neighbors God’s love is by meeting their need to learn English. It is a great way to DEMONSTRATE what we are called to do as obedient followers of Christ.
There are two very important reasons why I think it is important for churches and our association to continue to offer ESL classes as a ministry.

1.Church/Association based ESL ministries physically demonstrate Christ’s love. St Francis of Assisi said this, “Preach the Gospel and if necessary, use words.” Christ called us to meet the needs of those around us.

2.Church based ESL ministries are a natural setting to share the gospel. After the “physical need” of learning English has begun, teachers have natural opportunities through talking about American holidays, cultural differences and the meaning of the church and Christianity.
Henry Blackaby always says, “Look at where God is working and join Him in it.” God is bringing people to the United States. He longs for them to know the personal relationship that we all share with Him.

Lisa Rose, director, Church and Community Ministries, Montgomery Baptist Association

Encouragement to pray MORE!!

Ate lunch with Kevin Murphy, the new Chief of Police for Montgomery, AL and was very impressed by his genuine spirit and kind heart. He brings with him approximately 25 yrs experience in law enforcement. He spoke to our ministers today at MBA and I was most impressed that he is concerned with "solutions" for Montgomery. We all got to hear that the MPD administration are finding ways to zero in on the specifics of crime and constantly looking for solutions. To give you some encouragement to "keep on praying"....CRIME HAS DROPPED in 2009/2010 (these were the two years AFTER we started intentionally praying in 2008 to reduce crime...Coincidence? I think not!). We are getting better....day by day on reducing crime. This is what I think... 1. I think that as we pray, the Lord is placing specific people in positions of authority who have wisdom and knowledge about criminals. 2. I think as we pray, neighborhood associations, MPD, churches and others are becoming more aware of safety issues and implementing them. 3. I think as we pray, criminals are seeing that there are immediate consequences since the MPD are now able to hone in on the areas of crime and catch them quicker. 4. I think as we pray, that God IS changing hearts of those who are desperate and unmotivated to change their lifestyles. We may not see it but I believe it. We still need to pray for: 1. Chief Murphy and his staff for wisdom, knowledge and discernment. 2. For those in bondage to stealing, drugs and harmful lifestyles. Pray for redeemed lives. 3. For Christians in Montgomery to stand up and say NO to crime. We don't have to tolerate others breaking into our homes, our cars and hurting our families. We need to WISE in how we live. A stat Chief Murphy threw at us was that out of all the "vehicle break ins" 75% of the cars that were targeted were UNLOCKED!! I Timothy 2:1-2 "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness". Don't give up in praying for our city."....for when it prospers in peace...so will we"(Jeremiah 29:7)

Reaching the Mixteco's in Montgomery

mixteco(MEES-TEH-CO)an indigenous oral people group in southern Mexico that does not speak Spanish. They are an Indian tribe that has a tradition of Catholicism but not practicing. There are over 50 dialects within the language. This people group has come to Alabama. There are an estimated 3000 Mixteco's in Central Alabama. A good portion of that group seems to be located here in Montgomery. They have come here to work so that they can provide for their families back home in Mexico. THREE of our Montgomery churches are reaching out and FOUR of our Ministries are reaching them. Pray for: Eastern Hills Baptist Church Ridgecrest Baptist Church Yarborough Street Baptist Church Community of Hope Ministry Forest Park Ministry Center Nehemiah Ministry Center Shepherds Staff Ministry The Lord of the Harvest has asked us to meet the needs of the sojourner and the alien. As scripture says: we were all once aliens..... Pray for: The Mixteco Task Force in Montgomery. We are continually educating ourselves on this people group and how we can serve them and show God's love in tangible ways. There is a page for Praying for the Mixteco People of Montgomery here on Montgomery. If you like praying for people groups, here is one right in our backyard that we can pray for and minister to. Website is:www.mixtecomontgomery.blogspot.com God is on the move in Montgomery! Come...join Him in what He is doing. Peace along the way, Lisa Rose He executes justice........and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 10:18–19, ESV) *******************************************

Be Encouraged Today....

"As God's chosen ones (in Montgomery), holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience.Bear with one another, and if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other, just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive."...And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts....and whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:12, 15, 17 Pray over this verse. If we are renewed in our relationship with the Lord, then those around us IN MONTGOMERY will be drawn to the Lord. They will be curious as to what you have when all the chaos is going on around you. All that we do in our daily life ultimately affects the place we live. Be encouraged....

Praying for Special Needs Kids in Montgomery

Doctors appts, therapies, school meetings, diets, routines, thinking about what their futures hold are all a part of a day in the life of parents who happen to have kids with special needs.

Friday, April 1, is WEAR IT BLUE for Autism Day in recognition of Autism Awareness

Did you know ...

Autism now affects 1 in 110 children and 1 in 70 boys.

Autism prevalence figures are growing.

More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined.

Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S. Autism costs the nation over $35 billion per year, a figure expected to significantly increase in the next decade.

Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases.

Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism.

There is no medical detection or cure for autism.

This is JUST AN EXAMPLE of the many illnesses and disorders that children face here in the Montgomery area.

How can you help?

1. Pray for people to surround the families and support them through this long journey.

2. Pray for better medical resources to come to Montgomery. Most families have to travel to Birmingham or other cities to get the specified treatment their child needs.

3. Pray for churches to step up and be aware of kids with special needs and the special resources that they need in church.

4. Pray for parents to make the intentional effort to care for themselves s o that they can better care for their kids.

There is an opportunity for churches and individuals to come together this Friday night, April 1, and attend/volunteer at the Miracle League Opening Season Banquet. They need volunteer buddies, servers and others to help make this night special for the families and team members. You can contact Beth Ames at bucky280@gmail.com or call her 396-7773/462-6316

Jesus said: 'When you welcome one of these children because of me, you welcome me.' Matthew 18:5

Praying for the Poor in Montgomery

"If you negect the cries of the poor, your own cries for help will not be heard." Proverbs 21:13

In Montgomery, 17% of the population lives UNDER the national poverty level of $21,000. There are many reasons that people live in poverty: lack of education, generational poverty, unemployment, illness, divorce, lack of good judgement. There is no one thing that contributes to poverty. There is also not one culture that has the edge on being poor.....It seems like an overwhelming issue. How do we pray for the poor and disenfranchised in Montgomery? Here are some suggestions:

1. Pray for our city and state governments to begin to create new ways of "assisting" people in need. Ways that will give a hand up instead of making people dependent on a system.

2. Pray for ministries/churches all over Montgomery to see the deeper needs that a person has as they come and ask for food or clothing. Pray that there will opportunity for that person to hear the gospel in a way that they understand and get the support that they need to build a new life.

3. Pray for all of our churches to be sensitive to the needs of the poor in their communities especially as they may visit our churches and not understand the way in which we "do" church.

4. Pray for healing , heart changes and open doors for jobs that will provide for that familiy of low wealth.

5, Pray for Christians to be even more generous than we have in the past and pray for us all to have opportunities to serve those who are hurting financially.

And finally, pray for each of us to have a deeper understanding of God and his generous spirit, so that we will be ready and willing to serve those of low wealth with the resources that we have been given.

"Because you have been treated generously, live generously" Matthew 10:8 The Message

Today as we watch the horrific news from Japan....please pray for these requests and how they relate to Montgomery.

1. Pray for college students in Montgomery who have not been able to get in touch with their parents/familly members.

2. Pray for the MBA Conversational English School and other ESL classes who have Japanese students who are desperately trying to get in touch with family members. CE School has been reaching out to their students and know that the fruits of their labor will flourish.

3. Pray for all of these folks HERE who need peace, comfort and assurance.

4. I have read that only between .5% and 1%(approximately1, 271 766.67 ) of of Japan's 127,176,667 people are Christians. Pray for the Lord to "draw people unto Him" in light of this tragedy.

5. Pray that our teachers/churches and friends would reach out to these students here who need a friend right now and may they come to know Jesus because of our friendship to them!

Peace along the way.........
Lisa Rose

The Grace Card.......

I went to see The Grace Card this last Friday night and I left there wondering what would happen if every Christian in Montgomery..."red and yellow...black and white "would intentionally offer GRACE instead RACE when they see others. What would happen if we offered GRACE to EVERYONE we met? I think it is a grand idea...that can be accomplished with the work of the Holy Spirit.....nothing is impossible with God.

Be praying for your own heart this week and if you can...go see the Grace Card. It is a great reminder of how we are called to be DIFFERENT than the world despite our own struggles.


1. Ask God to help you identify your own feelings of prejudice and racism.

2. Ask forgiveness for the sin of racism and ask God to help you not be defensive about this issue.

3. Find someone who can help you see where you need to grow on this issue.

4. Pray for creative ways to engage people in your church in discussing the ways racism hinders our evangelistic efforts.

5. Pray for leaders in Montgomery to check their own prejudices and be compassionate and open toward one another.

Jesus said.....Love one another as I have loved you.

Praying for Crime in Montgomery

I continue to read about domestic violence, shady deals, theft, murder and other crimes here in Montgomery.And the offenders cross ALL economic and racial boundaries!! As Christians, we need to pray more for it to stop. ONLY with heart change will that happen.
Here are some prayer points to remember this next week:
1. Pray for heart changes in those who are breaking the law. Pray for a radical transformation of their lives and circumstances. Pray for the Lord to take away desperation.

2. Pray for those who break the law who may be mentally ill. Many mental illnesses can influence decision making....impulsivity and lack of conscience are just two symptoms of mental illness that can cause a person to do things that cause great consequence to themselves and others. Pray for someone to enter that persons life who can give them life giving help and healing.

3. Pray for public safety officers. One remarked once that an offender once said, " If I can't get some attention from home, at least I get attention if I break the law". Pray that officers and lawyers and judges will have the wisdom to see past their crime and find help for those whom they detain. Pray for parents to pay attention to their children and give them good self esteem.

4. Pray for neighborhoods to own their neighborhoods again. To take notice and reach out and get to know their neighbors. The more we know people, the safer things can be.

5. Pray for those in prison already. That someone will come to them and reach their hearts for Christ. Pray for those who work in prison systems who are Christians to be life givers in a place where there is no life.

6. Pray for family members of offenders. That their needs will be met and the kids of offenders will be sheilded from repeating the offense of their parent.

EVERY OFFENDER is a creation of God. Every offender has a story. Every offender needs the Lord.

Any more you can think of to pray for???

Matthew 25: 36
" ....I was in prison and you came to visit me"

Praying for MPS Part 2

If you have been following the situation with the Montgomery Public School hearings, you know that there is a lot of chaos and a lot of concern among parents and teachers about decisions being made soon. In fact, maybe this next week. Setting aside all politics, I would like to challenge us all, as Christians, we need to pray for this board and all involved in the decision making process. Whether we agree with the politics or not, we need to be covering this meeting and our kids with prayer. It is our responsibility to do so.

So..this week as we head full force into it...pray on these things:
1. That the needs of the kids will be taken into consideration...seriously.
2. That those who are making decisions will be open to new ideas that others have thought of and not be so hasty in decision making.
3. And thank the Lord that HE is bigger than any school system and he cares for everyone involved and HE does win in the end.
4. That Christians will stand up and make a difference where they can and do it with humbleness, love and good character.

"In everything that you do, do it as if you are doing it for the Lord and not for mankind." Colossians 3:23

Pray for our schools. There has been a lot of controversy concerning decisions being made by our board and superintendent. As Chrisitans, we certainly need to be a part of the discussion , but more than that...we need to be a part of the solution. This week, as you drive around, even if you don't have kids in school, pray for Divine Intervention so that what they do will be best for the KIDS in our schools. This past year, by making some changes without thinking things though, a lot of teachers, students and families were directly affected in a negative way.

Pray:

1. That the school board and superintendent will have insight and wisdom as they make plans for our children here in Montgomery.

2. That because of this upheaval, Montgomery residents will change their hearts concerning reaching out to our schools.

3. Pray that Christian churches will reach out more intentionally to our teachers, administration and students and that lives will be changed.

4. Continue to pray for the Montgomery area, that God will move through and the Holy Spirit will be welcome here to do the work intended to change lives and bring peace to the city.

"Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Jeremiah 29:7

Happy 2011 Montgomery

We hope that you had a very Happy Christmas and that you are even closer to our Lord and Savior this new year. December exploded with opportunites to help others and doors opened for new relationships with the hope that new lives will come to know Christ.

At our annual Toy Sale, over 200 families were served and 4 people came to know Christ that day. We are overjoyed that 4 new brothers and sisters are in the family of God now! Praying that they will find a place of worship and get involved with a church family.

As we enter 2011, we are entering into new opportunities to be the hands and feet of Christ in Montgomery and surrounding areas. Let us all pray today and this week that we will have the eyes of Christ to see people the way the Lord sees us all...his beautiful creation! Our hope for Montgomery is that this will be a year of celebrating more and more coming into the Kingdom and more and more belieivers sharing and helping others to know Christ!

Look for more ways to pray for Montgomery at:
http://www.mgmbaptist.org/
http://www.montgomeryprayernetwork.blogspot.com/
(for those of your friends who do not use facebook)

Until next time.....

Phillipians 3:13,14
"My friends, I don't feel that I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. I run toward the goal, so that I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done".

Ken, Lisa and Bob