PRAYER
Appropriate God's Wisdom
Psalm 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. (NKJV)
Prayer must come first in every phase of the work. All real progress in the work has been a result of spending time in prayer.
Child Evangelism Fellowship, at every level, has witnessed answers to prayer in strengthened staff relationships, salvation of children, growth in the lives of children, closed doors opened, and financial needs supplied.
"The Child Evangelism Movement was born in prayer, agonizing prayer, for the evangelization of the children, nation by nation, including every nation of the world and the islands of the seas. Secret prayer, private prayer, prayer in children's classes, prayer in teacher training classes, prayer in committee meetings and local prayer days-everything by prayer-has been the prayer program of the Child Evangelism Fellowship, everywhere."
- Mr. J. Irvin Overholtzer (Child Evanglism magazine, February 1947 issue).
The Necessity of Prayer
As finite beings, chosen of god to be coworkers with Him in telling forth His Gospel, we must be totally dependent upon Him. The immortal souls of little ones and decisions for eternity are involved. We have a powerful adversary-Satan. He makes it his business to hinder, discourage and disrupt the Lord's work in every way he can. We are powerless against him in our own strength. We must be on our knees, with humble hearts, depending upon the Lord to do His work through us.
Reasons for Prayer
Our need of
1. Spiritual strength. Colossians 1:9-11
2. Wisdom to cope with various situations. James 1:5
3. Guidance in each aspect of the work. Psalm 32:6-8
4. Calmness and poise for every circumstance. Philippians 4:6-7
5. Physical strength to continue on day by day. 2 Timothy 4:17
6. Strength to resist the evil one. James 4:7-8
7. Finances. Philippians 4:19
Organized Payer in the Fellowship
1. Prayer Bands
Two or more persons from two or more families meeting at a definite time each week to pray for the ministry of CEF is called a Prayer Band. The same loyalty that is required of teachers to their class should be shown by members of a prayer band. The directory will want to keep them informed with current answers to prayer as well as current requests.
2. Prayer Warriors
Individuals committed to pray daily for the work of CEF are called Prayer Warriors. The director or prayer chairman provides them with current prayer and praise items.
3. Prayer Partners
Individuals committed to pray for a particular teacher and his/her class are called Prayer Partners. They should remember the teacher and children in prayer each day and especially during the class period. The teacher and prayer partner keep in contact with each other to know definite requests and answers to prayer. We suggest a minimum of three prayer partners for each class or teacher.
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