Here is the latest update from my husband on what God is doing in our country . . .
Friends,
One of the communities around the country that IFA enjoys walking with is in Winchester, VA, about 30 minutes from our office. A local reporter published this article last Friday after attending one of the weekly prayer gatherings and interviewing participants. It’s pretty encouraging considering she is a neutral observer.
Winchester hosted a Discovery Weekend with IFA this past spring to cast vision for spiritual awakening for their city. To learn more about Discovery Weekends, visit
www.transformingamericathroughprayer.com.
I thank each of you for praying for us and investing with us as we assist different neighborhoods across America in preparing for spiritual awakening and revival.
Bob
Bob Royce
Intercessors for America
Mobilization Coordinator
PO Box 915
Purcellville, VA 20134
800-USA-PRAY
TransformingAmerciaThroughPrayer.com
Group praying for city, county
Posted: September 20, 2013
By Teri S. Merrill
Special to The Winchester Star
Pray Winchester meets at 8 a.m. Fridays in the War Memorial Building at Jim Barnett Park, Winchester, to pray for blessings upon Winchester and Frederick County.
WINCHESTER — Christians from various non-denominational churches are joining together one morning each week to pray for the city of Winchester and Frederick County, and they believe their efforts are bringing tangible results.
The group, Pray Winchester, meets at 8 a.m. Fridays in the War Memorial Building at Jim Barnett Park, Winchester, to pray blessings upon Winchester and Frederick County, according to Rusty Haws, one of the organizers.
Pray Winchester has been meeting for about three years and has remained fairly quiet and not sought publicity, he said. However, the group would like people from other area churches to join in their prayers, he said.
Each week, about 10 people meet to pray, though the group has had as many as 25 attend, said Haws of Winchester.
This past winter, members of the group decided it was time to “get serious” about their efforts, so they joined with Christians from several area churches in a 21-day prayer service in which they publicly prayed and repented and fasted from distractions that kept them from God, such as television and computers, he said.
Since that time, the group believes that their prayers have helped bring about a “healing of the land,” said Haws.
This area, for example, has had bountiful rains this past spring and summer, whereas much of the nation is in a drought or suffering from wildfires. Many farmers here are reporting abundant fruit, vegetable, and crop harvests as well, he said.
“God changes communities when we ask for His presence. We believe our prayers are a factor,” said Bobby Alger of Frederick County, also an organizer of Pray Winchester.
Last spring, other parts of the region got a late frost, but the apple crops here were spared and are more abundant than ever, he said.
“We prayed for the presence of God and we noticed that the weather improved. We don’t attribute that to us, but to God,” said Frank Oxsen of Strasburg.
They pray for specific areas of leadership or “mountains of influence,” including education, art and entertainment, business, church, government and family, he said.
The group prayed for area businesses as the downtown walking mall was being renovated last winter, said Alger. As the work proceeded, several business owners told members of the group that the work was being done on time and efficiently.
Another business owner said that despite the mall being torn up, sales in January and February were among the best ever, said Alger. “I believe that we prayed for them, and God blessed the business owners.”
“We believe God is the solution to every problem,” said David Anderson of Stephens City. “It’s not government or politics. Who doesn’t want to see God show up and do His thing? The Bible says ‘Ask and you shall receive,’ so we ask.”
“We used to pray about symptoms, but now we pray about the causes,” said Charles Mosholder of Winchester. “Problems in this world aren’t political but spiritual. If God shows up, things change.”
Pray Winchester isn’t about the size of the group, but about having individuals who are connected to God, said Alger. The group typically chats for about 10 minutes then prays for about 45 minutes. There are no leaders or readings, and the prayer is spontaneous, he said.
Nicholas Stiso of Winchester said he was invited to join the group and believes in the power of prayer to change lives.
“I was called to do this and am personally gratified to know that God is working in my life, and I’m able to make a difference,” he said.
“The bottom line is we are moving away from God in this nation. It won’t be government that fixes problems, not food banks, and not all the things that we strive to do, but the will of God,” said Jan Anderson of Stephens City.
“Churches have grown dead and tired. We need to get serious about Christianity, and we need to follow Christ. We pray for the presence of God to come, and He will be the answer.”
Father, we thank You for raising up men and women across our country who are crying out to You for Your Presence to come and transform our lives and our land. We know Your heart is to transform and we ask for an outpouring as we repent and seek You. You are our Answer!
