When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” …
…Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Acts 2: 1-11 & 41
This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, marking the day that the Holy Spirit came just as Jesus had promised before He ascended. Can you imagine being in Jerusalem as a part of the crowd who saw, and then were saved, on this incredible day? We know that there were people there from many different countries and they returned home to share what they witnessed and experienced with everyone who would listen – and the gospel message of Jesus was multiplied as they shared their stories. We have also been commissioned by Jesus to share our stories of hope and the salvation only found in Jesus. We are excited that there are so many opportunities to come together and continue to, “Pray God’s Glory Across the Earth” as we live a Prayer-Care-Share lifestyle throughout May and every day.
We want to share a few of these opportunities with you as you plan your weekend:
The National Senior Sendoff, a national baccalaureate service for high school seniors and their families across the nation to encourage, celebrate, and inspire them during the Pandemic will be held TONIGHT May 28th, 8:00- 9:00 PM ET. High School Seniors have waited for these special moments for 13 long years. They have worked hard from Kindergarten through high school and overcome many challenges. This is their time to celebrate this significant academic accomplishment. Please help us get the word out. It will also stream on the NDP Task Force Facebook page. Get more information at www.nationalseniorsendoff.com
The National Day of Prayer Task Force will cover the nation in The Cleanse, a “washing by the Word of God” this weekend that unites the nation in reading and praying the entire Bible across America. Participants can choose to read personally as well as join a noon prayer call in your time zone to pray corporately. You can read and pray throughout the day or choose to read your state’s assigned portion of Scripture. To participate and find your state’s Scripture go to www.thecleanseusagodsway.today/#map. Don’t forget our daily prayer calls throughout the year at 10:00 a.m. ET and 10:00 p.m. ET, Saturday - Prayer for families: 10 a.m. ET and Sunday - Prayer for Churches: 10 a.m. ET. Call 712-432-0075 then enter the password: 4961322
The March For Jesus is on for Saturday May 30, 2020. This city-wide celebration of Jesus is traditionally a public procession of praise glorifying Jesus Christ, gathering many from different streams of Christ’s body. Because of the Covid-19 crisis we have pivoted to a model which we have named "PraiseWalking." For more information go to www.TheMarchForJesus.org.
Saturday evening join us as we participate in Stories of Hope—an online festival experience with Andrew Palau. This is an incredible opportunity for us to share the hope of Jesus with our friends, right when they need it most. Stories of Hope will premiere at 8pm ET on Saturday, May 30 with an amazing lineup of celebrity guests and artists including Hillsong United, TobyMac, Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes, Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers, Chrissy Metz and many more. https://hope.palau.org/
There are many more incredible events this weekend, and the last one we want to share is the Memorial service for Ravi Zacharias Friday May 29th at 11 AM. This will be an online livestream memorial service to honor this incredible evangelist, apologist and NDP friend who served as our honorary chairman (now called co-host) in 2008. I had the honor of going to the White House with Ravi that year while we were in Washington D.C. for NDP. I got to know him through the years and was thrilled when he spoke at my son’s graduation from Oral Roberts University in 2015. I last saw Ravi on a special day in October when I was visiting RZIM, and my heart will forever treasure a statement he made to me, that no matter how much he continued to learn and know about God, God was continually leaving him in awe by the ways He worked and touched the hearts of people. Ravi beautifully reflected our Lord by touching the hearts and lives of people across the earth with the love and message of Jesus. We mourn our loss and rejoice with heaven as he is experiencing everything he ever preached and more! www.rzim.org
Will you please pray for these and that God’s Glory will continue to fill the earth?
Jesus, thank you for Your promise to send the Holy Spirit to fill and enable Your people to live a fruitful life for Your glory. Thank you Holy Spirit for working in us and through us as we desire to live the Kingdom destiny designed for us, for such a time as this, in the place we live and the people who surround us. Prompt us to share our stories of hope, our testimony of You, with our neighbors, co-workers, friends, family and even strangers that You put in our path each day who need to find their way to You. Please bless this weekend filled with opportunities for people to hear the gospel. Prepare hearts to hear and receive the Word and may millions come to know You as their Lord and Savior as we worship and witness in our cities and virtually around the world.
Serving Him with gladness,
Kathy Branzell
President
National Day of Prayer Task Force