Way back in 2025 our JIBC family and friends joined in a city -wide prayer ministry. We joined literally thousands of other Jesus followers from dozens of denominations to “PRAY CHARLESTON, 2025” The goal was ambitious but attainable: to pray for the Holy City every minute of every day for the entire year of 2025. You may remember that our JIBC family took the 10th of every month as our day to provide 24-hour prayer coverage. I think the final number was 168 of us covering the tenth of all 12 months. Every minute of every hour of the 10th of every month was covered. We provided equipping sermons, videos of prayer basics and helps for anyone willing but not sure what to do. By the way, those prayer videos can still be seen on our web site.
When 2025 ended, we did not want to end our city- wide prayer ministry. So, we took the prayer ministry in a different direction. Instead of praying on the 19th of every month, we asked if you would include a “Pray Charleston” time in your regular time alone with God.
The first major prayer emphasis was for Charleston’s leadership. We prayed for mayors, police chiefs, fire chiefs, first responders. Anyone serving the public and potentially in harms way. We prayed for them. I received the most interesting comments like “Why would I pray for a politician I did not vote for and do not care for?” My answer…then you should pray twice for that one!
The next area of focused prayer was the church. We prayed to evangelize the lost, make disciples, strengthen families, grow healthy Connection Groups, prayers for students and their friendships and for those who volunteer and serve. We always try to include ”Who is your one?” The one person close to you but far from God.
Now, this past Sunday, September 6, we introduced another prayer focus. A prayer brochure has been prepared to help us focus on praying for our schools. We will pray for students, teachers, administrators, our homes, homeschoolers, the classrooms, the campuses and our universities. We asked that you particularly pray for the schools where you children attend and the schools you pass every day. The brochures were handed out on Sunday, September 6. They will be available for several months to come. It is always a good time to pray for our schools, public, private and home!
Thank you for being a praying church. It is a ministry and mission we can all participate in and one we are all called to do.
See you Sunday, Good Lord willing!
Pastor Tom
