AUMEN calls for prayer and fasting

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

The Association of United Methodist Evangelicals of Nebraska (AUMEN) issues a call to prayer and fasting.  The church trial of the Rev. Jimmy Creech will be March 11 - 13, 1998 in Kearney, Nebraska.  AUMEN believes that seeking God's will for their lives is very important for God's people and for the healing of the United Methodist Church.  Let us hear again the Word of God from 2 Chronicles 7:14

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

As we humble ourselves seeking God's Divine will in this and all matters let us do so with the directions from Jesus found in the Gospel of Matthew 6:1,16-18

"Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven." (16 - 18) "And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

I share with you an idea from a pastor friend of mine.  He told me today, "This Sunday, March 8, I am inviting the people of my church to join me in a week of praying and fasting for the trial, our Nebraska Annual Conference, and the United Methodist Church."

Sisters and Brothers, I will join with my friend and invite the people of the church I serve to enter into a week of fasting and praying for ourselves and our own relationship with Christ, for God's Holy Will to be done in the Rev. Jimmy Creech trial, and for healing in our Nebraska Annual Conference and the total United Methodist Church. I invite each of  you, lay folk and pastors to do likewise.  May the full will of God be done.

Yours in Christ
Dennis R. Linton-Hendrick