The following requests are in response to Bishop Gregory V. Palmer’s address, Sunday, April 7, 2002, at Story City, Iowa. 

Please pray that: 

Ø    Each local United Methodist Church in Iowa will study the Lord’s Prayer 

Ø    By 2003 (according to Bishop Palmer’s request) we will study with vigorous theological reflection on how John Wesley’s theology can affect us today (2003 is the 300^th anniversary of John Wesley’s birth) 

Ø    Each local church will experience 10% growth through 2008 

Ø    Each local church will assume a hands-on Matthew 25 ministry

Ø    The Iowa School for Lay Ministry will expand to include at least one person from each charge by 2008 

Ø    We will establish a conference-wide preaching academy 

Ø    The United Methodist Church of Iowa will raise a $10,000,000 Endowment Fund for new congregational development  by 2008 

Ø    We will complete the Iowa United Methodist Church Camp Campaign by 2005 

Ø    Each United Methodist will learn the obedience of tithing

Join with fellow Christians the world over to pray for our sisters and brothers in Christ who suffer from all forms of persecution because of their faith in Jesus Christ.

Johna Canelin, Global Coordinator the the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church has written, "We do not ask what churches or denominations these suffering sisters and brothers come from.  As long as they suffer for their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ we will pray with them and for them."

The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) is designated as the second Sunday in November each year, but "effective and fervent" prayers for these suffering members of Christ's body are desired year round.

For more information about IDOP go to www.idop.org or www.persecutedchurch.org

Prayer means never being able to say,
“There is nothing I can do.”

— Maxie Dunam, President, Asbury Theological Seminary