The Power of Prayer
Welcome to the A.C.E.S prayer page. The leadership team of this Christian organization believes in the power of prayer and encourages Sudbury area Christians to pray for our city and country. As we look to the Bible for instruction we can read the apostle Paul's encouragement to Timothy, as he leads the church in Ephesus, (1Timothy 2:1-4), TO PRAY FIRST, with requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone.....
Join the National Prayer Response
Greater Sudbury Fasting and Prayer
Start Your Year with Fasting and Prayer - January 9-29, 2012
It's the start of a new year - Is God calling you to fast and pray? You are invited to join a Facebook fasting community right now spanning Greater Sudbury and across Canada, at https://www.facebook.com/events/339527856076933 !!
Share prayer requests, and in your Facebook news feed you'll receive encouragements, resources and more.
Fasting and prayer is an excellent way to rebuild connection with God, gain clarity for the future, make decisions, receive healing, break addictions and more. God gives fasting with prayer as a gift for any who will partake.
Let's come together as we seek the face of God for revival in our land and our own hearts!!
Canada In Prayer
AN INVITATION TO JOIN WITH US IN FASTING/PRAYING:
CANADA 911- ANSWERING THE CALL
21 days of intercession for the Church in our nation
Revelation 2:8-9; 1 John 1:6-7; Romans 8:5-8:
Confess hypocrisy, and repent for saying we are believers yet continuing to walk in darkness, according to the flesh. Pray that we will come into the light and begin to walk by the Spirit and set our minds on the things of the Spirit. www.canadainprayer.com
Beginning Monday, January 9, 2012 at 9:11 pm, “Canada 911″ will launch with individuals, churches and prayer groups partnering in a full or partial fast of soup and liquids ending on January 31, 2012 at 9:11 am.
The fast is being spearheaded according to Amos 9:11; “On that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, and repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old.” The purpose is to pray for God to restore this nation and rebuild its walls; to raise up the tabernacle of David by praying for the church to be cleansed and made strong again by the power of His Holy Spirit. We are seeking God to re-dig the old wells of revival that Canada has experienced in generations past.
As we begin this 21-Day Fast, let us join together by faith in taking time daily to pray through the following Prayer Guide. Using the directives provided as help, meditate on the scriptures listed and ask the Holy Spirit to give you specific revelation of what He is saying and how He desires you to pray. Allow Him to direct you and lead you into all truth as you pray each directive.
For full details, please go to: Canada in Prayer canadainprayer.com
Christianity is growing, but so is persecution
Christianity Is Growing - And So Is Persecution
January 10, 2012
Christianity is growing almost as fast as humanity itself, but its 2.2 billion adherents cannot count on safety in numbers. According to a report published by the Pew Forum in December, the Christian share of the population of sub-Saharan Africa has soared over the past century, from 9 percent to 63 percent. Meanwhile, the think-tank says, the Christian proportion of Europeans and people in the Americas has dropped, respectively, from 95 to 76 percent and from 96 to 86 percent. But moving from the jaded north to the dynamic south does not portend an easy future. In Nigeria scores of Christians have died in Islamist bomb attacks, targeting Christmas prayers. Dozens of churches in Indonesia have been attacked or shut. In Egypt and Syria, where secular despots gave Christianity a shield of sorts, political upheaval and Muslim zeal threaten ancient Christian groups. In India Hindu nationalists want to penalise Christians who make converts...
- The Economist
Pray for the Persecuted
Pray for us ...
This is the plea of persecuted Christians around the world.
Today around the world over 200 million are suffering for their faith in Jesus Christ. Each year, Christians in over 130 countries stand in prayer with our persecuted sisters and brothers through the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP). Join with us as Christians across Canada unite in prayer for our brothers and sisters who suffer because they declare their faith in Christ.
The Warrior's Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Your Warrior Prepares for Battle.
Today I claim victory over satan by putting on
The Whole Armor of God!
I put on the Girdle of Truth!
May I stand firm in the truth of your word
so I will not be a victim of Satan's lies.
I put on the Breastplate of Righteousness!
May I guard my heart from evil
so I will remain pure and Holy,
Protected under the blood of Jesus Christ
I put on the Shoes of Peace!
May I stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel
so your peace will shine through me and be a light to all I encounter.
I take the Shield of Faith!
May I be ready for Satan's fiery darts of doubt, denial and deceit
so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat
I put on the helmet of salvation
may the two-edged sword of your word be ready in my hands
so I can expose the tempting words of satan
By faith your warrior has put on the whole armor of God!
I am prepared to live this day in spiritual victory.
Amen
Dialogue Gathering between the Catholic Church and Evangelicals
Please keep this important initiative in prayer....
Representatives from The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and the Roman Catholic Church in Canada met in March, 2011 in a new venture of diologue between the two groups of begin to heal the deep wounds of division among those who claim Jesus as Lord and Saviour of the World.
Sudbury's own Fr. Jim Hutton, of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, is one of those representing the Canadian Catholic Church in this dialogue. That says a lot about Fr. Jim, his ministry/mission, and our city.
Pray for the Hurting Children of the World
Dear God
Little children around the world are crying.
These children have lost hope.
Some have lost everything.
Help them God.
They need food, water, medical care, a home, a family, but most of all they need love.
I know you love them God.
But do they?
Some of these kids are in such a bad situation, we can't even
begin to imagine.
Some are sold as though they were possessions.
Let them know God they are worth more than that.
Let them know that someone, maybe someone they don't
even know, cares about them.
Tell the victims that it will end.
Help them to feel special again.
Amen
Witten by Laura Townend in grade 8
Pray for our Mayor and City Council
Mayor Marianne Matichuk and 10 city councilors were voted into power for a four year team in 2010, please join me in praying for God's will to be done and his purposes to be fullfilled during this time in the Greater City of Sudbury.
Timothy 2:14 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is a good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Mayor - Marianne Matichuk
Ward 1-Joe Cimino (West End, Gatchell, Copper Park, Robinson, Moonglo, south of Ontario street and west of Regent Street)
Ward 2-Jacques Barbeau (Lively, Naughton, Whitefish, Copper cliff and Worthington)
Ward 3-Claude Berthiaume (Chemsford, Onaping dowling and Levack)
Ward 4-Evelyn Dutrisac (Azilda, Elm West and Donovan)
Ward 5-Ron Dupuis (Val Caron, blezard Valley, Cambrian Heights, McCrea Heights, Guilletville, Notre Dame-Lasalle area west of Rideau street.
Ward 6-Andre Rivest (Val Therese and Hanmer)
Ward 7- Dave Kilgour (Garson, Falconbridge, Capreol and Skead)
Ward 8-Febio Belli (New Sudbury (east of Barry Downe Road)
Ward 9-Doug Craig (Coniston, Wahnapitae, Wanup ad South End)
Ward 10-Frances Caldarelli (Lockerby, Lo-ellen, University Area, Kingsmount, Bell Park and Downtown (south of Elm Street)
Prayer for Egypt
Ask God for intercessory strategies concerning the present trembling in Egypt. Pray for His mercy on the nation that He call's "Egypt
My People" (Isaiah 19:25a) especially as they recognize and bless "Israel My Inheritence"(Isaiah 19:25b)
Pray for the country of Egypt-that the Muslim Brotherhood will not rise to power through this present anarchy, that God would establish peace and righteousness in that country with a minimum of bloodshed (1 Tim 2-4); and that Egypt would not become an adversary and a curse to the Jewish state of Israel (Genesis 12:3)
Pray for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, his Cabinet and his Military advisors - that they will have godly wisdom and wise counsel to know how to respond in the midst of this crisis (Is. 11:2)
Prayer for Peace in our Community
A Corporate Crafted Prayer for the Greater City of Sudbury
Loving Creator God, you are with us in all times and places and each one of us is precious in your sight.
Beacuse you love us all and call us into your perfect will to be people who live in harmony with one another we ask you to forgive us for the times that we have caused discord in Your family.
We ask you to give us a heart for justice and a will for peace.
Bless our community, we pray:
that families may thrive
that children may be secure and loved
that breadwinners may have work
that new possibilities may be explored
that leaders may be strong and wise
that volunteers may be encouraged
that faith and hope in You Jesus may flourish......
Heavenly Father, please help us to build a true community - break down the barriers within us that prevent us from reaching out to our neighbour and to seek understanding between us.
May our strength be found in You, Jesus, the source of all light, truth and love. Amen
Crafted Prayer for Sudbury
Gracious God, we thank you for the servant-hearted prayer canopy You have established over our city, especially that which was initiated by our city leaders at the Watchmen Gathering in 2008.
Heavenly Father, we humbly ask, in these latter days, that Your word in Isaiah 28:5 will be fulfilled: That you would be a glorious crown, a beautiful wreath for the remnant of your people; That you would be a spirit of justice to those who sit in judgement and a source of strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate. (NIV)
We call forth the Nehemiahs and Esthers of this generation, to take a stand for righteousness in the places to which you have called them.
Father, thank you for the hunger that you have birthed in each intercessor for this time, to bring about your purposes on earth as it is in heaven, like Esther, who was used to fast and intercede for the Jewish people in their time of need. As she came into the presence of the king she found favour as she presented her petition and Your Lord spared Your chosen. Father we put our trust in You as Esther put all her trust in You, till there was an end to the persecution of the Jews which had been orchestrated by the one man, Haman.
We ask that you would wake up your people to know the hour and season and that they would be willing to lay down their lives for You and one another.
For our leaders, intercessors and "ekklesia" saints, we release Your Wake-up call as in written in Psalm 24 (The Message):
God claims Earth and everything in it, God claims the world and all who live on it.
He built it on Oceans foundations, laid it out on River girders.
Who can climb Mount God? Who can scale the holy north-face?
Only the clean-handed;
Only the pure-hearted;
Men who won't cheat, women who won't seduce.
God is at their side; with God's help they make it.
This, Jacob, is what heappens to God-seekers, God-questers.
Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.
Who is this King-Glory? God, armed and battle-ready.
Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.
Who is this King-Glory? God of the angel armies: he is King-Glory.
Arise oh God in our midst; wake us up and scatter our enemies (Psalm 68)
We thank you Lord that You are our strength and our shield and that we can put our trust in You to lead us in how to pray and intercede for the healing of our city, region and Nation. (Psalm 28 and Rev. 22)
Prayer of Faith for Sudbury
Please join with me in saying the following prayer of faith for the city of Greater Sudbury and region that has been submitted by a city prayer group......
We declare that you, God, take the wind out of Babel's pretense; you shoot down the world's power schemes.
We thank you God that your plans stand up so that your will be done and your kingdom come in the city of Greater Sudbury and region.
We confess that there is in our city and region desperation and hopelessness.
We choose to humble ourselves and confess the sin of pride and arrogance in the use of human methods for fixing problems and not turning to you God.
Save us, vindicate us by your strength. Please release your warring angels to defeat the godless who oppose the purposes of your kingdom.
We ask you to lead us in victory against obstacles which stand against your will being done. We thank you for being jealous over your prophecy that the north would be blessed and would fund your mighty revival.
We decree your covenant promise for this city and region such as in Isaiah 61; that you console those who mourn, give beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair and that we will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of your glory.
Christian Unity Week
I understand that there will be a number of opportunities to gather together as the Body of Christ throughout the city during the week beginning January 18th.
I invite you to keep the following sciptures (The Message) in mind and join with me in prayer as we approach this special week of services. Let's pray that the attitude of our hearts and the meditation of our minds would be right before God and that we would be willing to do the hard work of getting along with each other.........
Psalm 133
How wonderful, how beautiful,
when brothers and sisters get along!
It's like costly anointing oil
flowing down head and beard,
Flowing down Aaron's beard,
flowing down the collar of his priestly robes.
It's like the dew on Mount Hermon
flowing down the slopes of Zion.
Yes, that's where God commands the blessing,
ordains eternal life.
James chapter 3 (the last few verses):
Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, over flowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.
The Power of Prayer
Turning on the Light of Jesus in our Community
by Helen Townend
A.C.E.S. (Active Christians Engaging Society) is all about Christians being active in our community and I presume that if you are reading this article that you must be interested in that too. With that in mind let's take a serious look at the words found in Isaiah 58. The prophet shares how God's people should live and with help from The Message translation of the Bible I've made an attempt to condense these instructions into ten points that could be put into practice:
- Not to bicker and fight with each other
- Break the chains of injustice
- Get rid of exploitation in the workplace
- Free the oppressed
- Cancel debts
- Share food with the hungry
- Invite the homeless poor into our homes
- Put clothes on the shivering ill-clad
- Be available to our own families
- Quit gossiping and blaming victims
All good things begin with prayer so let's begin asking God what we can do to make a difference in our community. Let's pray that the Body of Christ would be brave and courageous and be the hands and feet of Jesus in our places of influence....be it in the home, places of public worship, workplace and in our community at large.
Let's all work together to turn on the LIGHT OF JESUS in our community. Isaiah's prophecy promises that if we do that, the God of glory will secure our passage and that when we pray God will answer.
