Posted on Nov 12, 2010 | by Carol Pipes

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)--In preparation for the SBC Day of Prayer in January, the North American Mission Board has launched a website with resources to help Southern Baptists answer the call to prayer.

"If Southern Baptists return to biblical, obedient prayer, not only will it bring God's power as we have not seen it in a long time, but I believe it will change us in ways we cannot imagine," said Kevin Ezell, NAMB's president. "It's our privilege to support Bryant Wright's call to prayer in this way."

The website www.namb.net/sbcdayofprayer provides an eight-step guide on how to incorporate a prayer emphasis one Sunday during the month of January.

"Thanks to the PrayerLink leadership, we've developed a simple one-day plan for pastors to introduce prayer through the application of solemn assembly in their churches," said Richard Leach, NAMB's team leader for servant and ministry evangelism.

PrayerLink, the work group of the state prayer coordinators across North America, developed several resources that are available online. The prayer guides offer suggestions on what to incorporate into a time of concentrated prayer:

-- Personal cleansing and preparation;

-- A time of worship;

-- Corporate confession, repentance and prayer;

-- Renewal of covenant commitments to Jesus Christ;

-- Celebration of Christ and the New Covenant He has provided.

Other website resources to help churches in the observance include: "Guidelines for Fasting and Prayer," "How to Lead a Solemn Assembly" and "Church Renewal Prayer Weekend."

PrayerLink leaders will be introducing these and other resources in their states, according to Leach.

"It's been over 100 years since the last Great Awakening," said Leach. "In 1905, Christians began to pray because of economic stress, debauchery, everything that we see in our world today.

"We have had in this nation, over the last 30 years, a growing call to prayer," Leach said. "It's been coming from churches, denominations and other Christian organizations. I pray we are going to see another awakening in our nation."

Copies of all resources can be downloaded and found online at: www.namb.net/sbcdayofprayer.
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Carol Pipes is a writer for the North American Mission Board.