Proclaimer Blog
Please pray for the EMA (2)
Today we’re asking if you would pray for those attending. We’ve yet to crunch the numbers, but we have something like 1,300 people attending from some 750 or so churches. We have youth workers, elders, lay preachers, students and church staff – all very welcome. However, the vast majority (something like 75%) are ministers or assistant ministers of churches. They will be coming from a great variety of backgrounds, circumstances, struggles and joys.
Some will be feeling on top of things, others overwhelmed by the calling they have. Some will need encouragement; others perhaps conviction. Please pray that the Lord will use the conference so that everyone receives what they need from him. Please pray in particular for those divine appointments – a conversation here, a word there – which can be so strategic in building up.
And do give thanks for the evangelical unity the EMA displays. We don’t press this, but if recent years are anything to go by, we have about 50% Anglicans and 50% from non-conformist churches. Preaching is one of the topics that evangelicals of many stripes can gather around. We’re not trying to engineer unity; but we recognise that gathering together in this way is a display to the ‘powers and authorities’ of the great work Christ is doing.
And remember to pray for those who are not coming. Sadly, there have been stories in the last twelve months of regulars who have given up on ministry, fallen into sin, or even turned their back on the Lord completely. We’re desperately sad to hear those stories and please pray for mercy – and keeping grace for all of us.
Thank you for praying.