A National Gathering for United Methodist
Revival
August 27-28, 1999
Epworth by the Sea
St. Simons Island, Georgia
What a mighty God
we serve! The Prayer Summit at Epworth by the Sea this weekend was attended by only a
handful of eager souls but God knew what he was doing in sending just the right people to
receive the blessing he showered upon us during our 24 hours together.
Following an afternoon and evening of concerted prayer and an all-night prayer vigil,
we gathered to share with one another what God was saying to us, what God was calling us
to do, and what commitments we were willing to make. There was a powerful bond of unity
among the group during this time of discernment.
God said to us:
"I have heard your prayers!"
God is sending the revival we have longed for and prayed for these many years. It may not
take the form that we had imagined in our feeble human minds, but a great outpouring of
his Spirit is coming in power and believing Christians of all denominational stripes will
be caught up in it.
"The battle is mine!"
God revealed to us quite clearly that we must lay down our carnal weapons of political
strategies born of human wisdom. We will see rebirth in our church, but it will come out
of great labor and pain. But do not despair. Our ship has a Captain, and his name is the
Lord of Hosts. The victory will be won on our knees, but the victory is ours because the
battle belongs to the Lord!
God is calling us to:
Have courage in the pulpit. Preach the Gospel in season and out of
season, unashamedly without regard for how others might perceive us.
Pray for a spiritual awakening among the bishops. Nothing short of the
baptism of the Holy Spirit will transform our bishops into the prophetic leaders they are
supposed to be. God is calling us to pray for such an outpouring.
Be intentional and deliberate in starting new prayer ministries in our
local churches.
Be faithful, endure hardship and suffering. Be bold and courageous
witnesses, both clergy and laity.
More discipline through fasting and other means of grace.
Support and encourage pastors in local churches who are taking a stand
for the truth.
Encourage and support one another through networks of prayer.
Come together in like-mindedness, seeking his face.
Have a burden for men's ministry in local churches.
Shepherd the flock with a renewed sense of calling and conviction.
Form pastors prayer groups, both district (UM) and community
(interdenominational).
Be joyful in what we are doing.
Educate the laity.
Confess our sins.
GIVE THE CHURCH BACK TO HIM!!!!!!
We committed ourselves to:
Prayer Summit II, a denomination-wide day of prayer to be scheduled for
late March/early April prior to General Conference. Over the same 24-hour period, there
will be concerts of prayer taking place in at least one location in each jurisdiction.
The Epworth Prayer Covenant, a work in progress which will be perfected
by the group via e-mail, and then posted on the web with the invitation to others to join
in covenant with us.
Forming clergy prayer groups, both in our districts and our communities.
Fasting, as the Spirit leads, at least 3 days per month.
Allow God to be God; depend fully on him and take off the limits we have
placed on him, allowing him to move among us as he wants to move among us.
God is AWESOME!!! He has given us a new vision and revealed to us his will to bring
revival to our dying church. Stay tuned for upcoming information on Summit II and the
Epworth Prayer Covenant.
James Gibson Marshallville UMC
"Restore us again, O God our Savior,
and put away your displeasure toward us.
Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger through all generations?
Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
Show us your unfailing love, O LORD,
and grant us your salvation."
Psalm 85: 4 - 7 |
