With over 5,000 CEN Organizations, partners are responding now to “National Commitment Sunday” prior to National Day of Prayer and Remembrance
(CEN, Sept. 15) PHOENIX, Ariz. – Christian Emergency Network (CEN) CEO Mary Marr called upon Christians to join together on the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance – as called for by President Bush. “As we join with millions of Americans in prayer for the victims of Katrina, the rescuers and the entire nation, we call also upon pastors and their church members to focus the prayer time to make a commitment to collaboratively join together so that the church is delivering a unified Pray-Care-Share Commitment on Sunday September 18,” said Marr.
To submit a Prayer-Care-Share commitment story, click here
America’s National Prayer Committee Chairman Dave Butts added, “Contemporary Americans have a real tendency to get excited about things for a brief period and then move on to the next crisis without finishing the task ahead of them. That's why we need to join with CEN in calling for church-wide long-term commitment to finishing the task of caring for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. May the National Day of Prayer be a powerful beginning to a commitment for all the Church to consistently, persistently pray, care, and share the light of Christ with those who are in need.”
Ted Elmore, the associate director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas concurred with Marr. He said, “Scripture often calls us to ‘remember.’ For those committed to doing life inside the purpose of God, the word ‘remember’ is meaningful. I want to join with CEN and others who are calling for Sunday, Sept. 18 as a day of national commitment in which the Body of Christ is being asked to do more together to steward resources God has given to complete the task in Hurricane Katrina relief. We seek to do life in such manner that will bring honor to our God and be of help to the people.”
Prayer
Marr noted, “As Scripture counsels, it is imperative that we pray continuously. As Christian relief ministries and denominations begin implementing their many programs, it is appropriate to pray for unity.” She recommended the specific requests below also be considered.
Pray for the reuniting of the many families that have been split apart for various reasons by Hurricane Katrina.
Pray for strength, vision and endurance for relief agencies, as this disaster requires long-term commitment and persistence.
Pray for the resettlement efforts in cities all across our country.
Pray for the Lord to speed the cleanup efforts all along the Gulf Coast.
As we are half-way through hurricane season, pray for protection, especially in this region from further storms that would hamper and complicate clean-up and rebuilding.
Pray that the Lord would move Hurricane Ophelia out to sea and minimize her affects on the eastern seaboard.
As people begin to come back into their devastated properties on the Gulf Coast for the first time, pray that they would seek the Lord for strength and help to rebuild their lives.
Pray for great wisdom for officials who now have to deal with the “sludge” and toxic remnants of Katrina.
The Port of New Orleans, shut down for more than two weeks because of Hurricane Katrina, is slowly resuming operations. Pray that recovery in this fifth largest port in the U.S. would go better than anticipated.
Pray that those being resettled in many different cities would hear a clear Gospel message and come to saving faith in Christ.
To learn how you can pray for those in need and demonstrate the love of Christ, visit, http://www.centoday.com/ministry_corps/prayer/prayer_main.php
Care
Marr noted, “As is obvious from the news coverage, the outpouring of support for this disaster is unprecedented. Consequently, it is very important that Christians monitor closely those ministries and churches that are demonstrating the love of Christ by caring for the most basic of needs, and doing so effectively, efficiently, and with the compassion of Christ.”
She continued, “In meetings with many national city and denominational leaders this week, CEN has learned the urgent needs they are facing. In collaboration with our many partners who are responding to the sheltering need, CEN has provided a questionnaire titled “Questions to Consider for Christian Sheltering.” http://www.centoday.com/ministry_corps/relief_church/shelting_guidlines.php
The questionnaire will assist any person, church or denomination to respond strategically, scripturally, and solidly to sheltering or rebuilding needs.
To learn how you can care for those in need and demonstrate the love of Christ, visit, http://www.centoday.com/ministry_corps/care/care_main.php.
Share
Marr pointed out CEN supports organizations that are committed to combining prayer, caring relief efforts while sharing the hope of Jesus Christ through this crisis. She noted also, “CEN has received many calls and emails requesting information on sheltering. Our best experts have told us that more information will be coming this week. CEN policy is to review the process being followed by any Christian organization with a Prayer-Care-Share focus that will provide us an outline of their plan and process.”
She added, “CEN has learned that the total sheltering and resettlement process may take up to two years with an interim stage of 90 days. Please send us the process and plans you or your church have in place or are considering in the coming weeks and months for us to review and post as a service to our partners by clicking onto the Pray-Care-Share Commitment button on our website home page.”
To learn how you can share with those in need and demonstrate the love of Christ, visit, http://www.centoday.com/ministry_corps/share/share_main.php.
Other resources:
Media
To read the latest CEN reports coming into the Command Center, visit, http://www.centoday.com/.
Pastors:
CEN is providing a courtesy copy of the sermon series “While It Happens” on the Sermon Central website. The complete sermon series, along with a four-part series entitled “Before It Happens” and another four-part series entitled “After It Happens” can be purchased in full directly from CEN at: http://www.cen-survival-kits.com/products.php?id=402.
Pray-Care-Share Inspiration:
SCRIPTURE:
“Pray, therefore, like this: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed (kept holy) be Your name.” Matthew 6:1
Outlook:
Holy Father, You are righteous, full of compassion and mercy.
We humbly pray and sing as we have been taught.
Song:
The Lord’s Prayer
For interviews with CEN Founder/Chairman Mary Marr, contact Judy Hannestad at 701-484-5028 judyhannestad20@aol.com
Christian Emergency Network leads Christians to intelligently pray for, sensitively care for, and strategically share the gospel with victims involved in a national emergency.
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