If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and
turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. — 2 Chronicles 7:14
As we approach the 2024 election, we encourage all Free Will Baptists to make time to pray and be lights to our communities. Then, after the election, we ask the denomination to set aside Thursday, November 7, to pray for our communities and neighbors.
WHY should we pray for our neighbors?
Ultimately, because the Lord tells us to—and not just for our neighbors but for everyone (1 Timothy 2:1-2). We know He wants us to pray for them because He tells us to love them and reach them with the gospel (Matthew 28:18-20).
HOW can we pray for our neighbors?
We have partnered with a ministry named BLESS to provide a free, practical prayer resource for our denomination. BLESS stands for: Begin with prayer, Listen, Eat (fellowship), Serve, and share your Story. By going to nafwb.org/bless you can register your church or yourself individually to pray for your neighbors. It takes less than five minutes to complete registration.
Each day, you will receive a list of five neighbors to pray for via email or the BLESS app. You will also be able to label their homes with the map that accompanies your account. We can record these prayers for our neighbors at nafwb.org/bless. As of today, Free Will Baptists have recorded 34,707 prayers for their neighbors using BLESS. It is our goal to reach 100,000 prayers by the end of the day November 7.
WHAT can we pray for our neighbors?
We encourage you to pray for the spiritual, physical, and psychological wellbeing of those in your community. As you pray for your neighbors, ask God to give you opportunities to talk with them. As you walk, work in the yard, or meet by your mailboxes, ask neighbors how they are doing and listen carefully to their replies. If they share a concern, commit to praying for that need, specifically and by name. Look for opportunities to eat out or grab coffee together. Somehow, food seems to break down barriers.
As we listen to our neighbors, may we identify ways to serve them, like watching their dog while they are away or getting their mail for them. Listen to their stories and look for opportunities to share your own — what Christ has done for you and how you came to know Him. Ultimately, ask God to give you an opportunity to present the gospel message and to give you strength to speak without hesitation when He opens the doors.
Begin now. If you aren’t already doing so, please begin praying for your neighbors today and make a special emphasis on praying for the upcoming election. Also, consider praying for your neighbors around the church and sending them a note to share that you are praying for them. As Christians, we know our real hope is found in prayer.
About the Writer: Eddie Moody is the Executive Director of
the National Association of Free Will Baptists. Learn more about
tools available to help individuals, churches, and associations at nafwb.org/resources.
