Submitted by Rev. Kim Morrison, District Resource Leader
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Gal. 6:2
We, as disciples of Jesus Christ, have a responsibility to offer up prayer on behalf of others ~ not only those in our own churches and community ~ but also those throughout our nation and abroad who are suffering oppression, exploitation, and persecution. The Thirteen United Methodist Churches of Marshall County united on March 4, 2016 and held a 13-hour prayer vigil to honor this special day of prayer. Each church hosted one hour, beginning at 7:00 am and ending at 8:00 pm.
Some of the churches held a service and others were set up so that anybody could come at any time during the hour and pray as long as they would like. We had a prayer guide that they could use that would unite us all together as we prayed for…..
Christians in all places of our world….
for those who are persecuted, oppressed and exploited…
for all world leaders, that their hearts would be turned to God…
for the Christians, citizens and leaders in Cuba… (focus of this year’s World Day of Prayer)
for our nation and its leadership…
for The United Methodist Church and the 2016 General and Jurisdictional Conferences…
for the Memphis Conference, its churches, laity and clergy…
for the Purchase District, its churches, laity and clergy…
for the churches, laity and clergy in Marshall County: in particular, those at Olive, Calvert City, Oak Level, Briensburg, Pleasant Grove, Benton First, Mt. Carmel, Oakland, Palma, Church Grove, Maple Spring, Union Ridge, and Dexter-Hardin United Methodist Churches…
and for all of the churches, people, leaders, and those in need in Marshall County.
“Sometimes we think that we must do some mighty labor that produces a “visible” work that all will see to do any good in this world but many times it’s a quiet voice lifted up in love to a mighty God that does the most powerful work that this world needs.”
Our resources came from the World Day of Prayer website. Many thanks to Jennifer Rodriquez, member of Benton First United Methodist Church, for listening to God and prompting us do this, and thanks to our Marshall County Cluster Leadership team that made this possible.