Weekly Prayer Points

Paul and Barnabus appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord….” Acts 14:23 (NIV). One of the vital responsibilities of the Church is the calling, training, and placing of pastors. Pray for the CBC national and regional leaders who do this work. Pray for congregations seeking pastors. Pray for persons sensing a call to ministry. Pray for teachers in our CBC ministry training program. Please pray for the following congregations and pastors: Montesion in Las Marias, Puerto Rico and Pastor Carmen M. Mercado Arce Moscow in Mt. Solon, VA and Pastor Darren Howdyshell Mount Carmel in Scottville, NC and Pastor Dale Baugus Mount Joy in Mount Pleasant, PA and Pastor P. V. Lee Smith CBC Prayer Committee

"Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." Psalm 34:14 (NIV). The ongoing war in the Middle East is so troubling. We understand this conflict has been foretold, yet it remains distressing. Pray for our President and national leaders as decisions are made. Pray for all world leaders to desire peace. Pray for those who serve in the military and find themselves in harm’s way. Our Brethren roots emphasize that we are a community of peaceful people. In our conversations with those with whom we disagree, across kitchen tables, backyard fences, with church family, friends, and strangers – let us seek peace and pursue it! As Jill Jackson Miller wrote, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.” Please pray for the following congregations and pastors: Mlima Wa Makimbilo in Tanzania, Africa and Pastor Elia Abdala Riiumbi Mlima Wa Moto in Tanzania Africa and Pastor Petro John Isduri Mlima Wa Utukufu in Tanzania, Africa and Pastor William Samwel Wizabulambu Mont Jinai in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa and Pastor Baleki Kambale Claude CBC Prayer Committee

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations…." Matthew 28:19 (NIV). CBC currently has congregations in 15 countries. This is an impressive statistic for our fellowship, which is only 5 years old. Many believers have approached us after seeing the CBC Statement of Faith on our website. As congregations are developed, we seek to discern a leader to call as a Regional Elder. Brother Scott Kinnick is our Liaison with the international churches. Pray for the Sisters & Brothers in these places. Pray for the Regional Elders who oversee this work. Pray for Brother Scott in his connections with these churches. Ask the Lord to keep our hearts tuned to the Great Commission. Please pray for the following congregations and pastors: Ministerio Uncion Apostolica in Sevierville, TN and Pastor Ivis Gutierrez Miracle Fishing Christian in GUATEMALA and Pastor Walter Estuardo Palma Garcia Mishiha in Burundi Africa and Pastor Kagoma Didace Mlima Wa Karmeli Igunga in Tanzania Africa and Pastor Joseph S. Mwamlima CBC Prayer Committee

“Why do you look for the living among the dead?” Luke 24:5 (NIV). We begin this week with our glorious celebration of our Lord’s Resurrection! Perhaps there were folks with your church for Easter worship who were new, or who do not attend regularly. Pray for these folks specifically that being with the church for Resurrection Sunday may make a significant impact and lead them to a new and deeper walk with Christ. Pray for your congregations, your Regions, and the CBC’s efforts to win the lost to Jesus. It is our highest calling! The CBC Executive Board meets at our national office in Fairmont, WV, on Friday and Saturday for our Spring face-to-face meetings. Pray for the Holy Spirit to clearly guide these meetings. Please pray for the following congregations and pastors: Mill Creek in Tryon, NC and Pastor Andy Parker Ministerio Evangelica La Gloria de Jehova Cafarino Zarco Mosquera in Panama and Pastor Cafarino Zarco Mosquera Ministerio Evangelistico La Puerta Estrecha in Venezuela and Pastor Jairo Hernandez Ministerio Internacional Centro Cristiano in Venezuela and Pastors Angel & Carmen Franceschi CBC Prayer Committee

Pray for God to bless all CBC Congregations with rich and special times of worship on Resurrection Sunday. May His Holy Spirit help us to celebrate Jesus’ victory over death, Hell, and the grave, and may it produce the fruit of salvation with many individuals getting saved. Please pray for the following congregations and pastors: Maranatha in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Pastor Lewis Ponga Umbe Maranatha in Tanzania Africa and Pastor Daudi Faraja Melvin Hill in Columbus, NC and Pastor Craig Scruggs Midway in Surgoinsville, TN seeking pastoral leadership CBC Prayer Committee

Pray for God to bless each CBC congregation with deep and wonderful times of worship and fellowship as we gather around the Lord’s Table for Love Feast and Holy Communion. Pray that God will put it in the heart of each member to attend this special time to obey and honor Jesus until He comes. Please pray for the following congregations and pastors: Maji ya Uzima Kikonde in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Pastor Lambert Bya'ene Joshua Malinde in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Pastor Mleke Mwenge Mana de Cielo in Venezuela and Pastor Asdrubal Rodriguez Maple Spring in Eglon, WV seeking pastoral leadership CBC Prayer Committee

Pray for God to bless the work of the Annual Meeting and Worship Conference Program and Arrangements Committee as they plan this year’s event in Pennsylvania, and pray for each person who will present in any capacity. Pray that God will be glorified and Christ’s Church be edified. Please pray for the following congregations and pastors: La Javilla Comunidad del Cristo in the Dominican Republic and Pastora Alicia Celestin Destin Limestone in Limestone, TN and Pastor Jim Griffith Little Pine in Ennice, NC and Pastor Eddie Wooten Maison du Potier in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa and Pastor Kifuluga Asani Alaiz CBC Prayer Committee

Let us thank God for all the pastors of CBC and ask Him to bless and encourage each one, along with their spouses and families. Please pray for God to raise up more pastors for CBC congregations in need. Ask Him to inspire individuals to enter the ministry and for congregations to be discerning in their calls to ministry. Pray that those whom God calls will respond positively and say yes to Him! Please pray for the following congregations and pastors: Kiruri in Burundi Africa and Pastor Bukobero Pierre Kiryankonzi-Kibogi in Uganda Africa and Pastor Twagiramunga Christopher Knob Creek in Johnson City TN and Pastor John Swonger Knobley in New Creek WV and Pastor Chris Edward Leatherman CBC Prayer Committee

Pray for our CBC brothers and sisters in Venezuela during these times of transition, and that God would protect, provide, and bless them. Pray also for our CBC brothers and sisters in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the challenges they are facing due to war and displacement. Pray that we will all be faithful to pray for each other and that God would move in each CBC member and congregation. Please pray for the following congregations and pastors: Kibwanyi-Mubende in Uganda Africa and Pastor Hagumimana Benjamin Kidaho in Rwanda Africa and Pastor Adam Mbarushimana Kinogo in Uganda Africa and Pastor Twzermyana Emanuel Kiruma-Mubende in Uganda Africa and Pastor Elisa Niwamanya CBC Prayer Committee

One final point. According to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Thomas Nelson, 1978, pages 1110 & 1113, surveying the King James Version, the word "prayer" is used 245 times in the Old Testament and 68 times in the New Testament. The word prayed is used 31 times in the Old Testament and 34 times in the New Testament. The word prayer 83 times in the Old Testament and 31 times in the New Testament. The word prayers is used twice in the Old Testament and 22 times in the New Testament. The word prayeth, 4 times in the Old Testament and 3 times in the New Testament and finally praying is found 6 times in the Old Testament and 14 times in the New Testament. That means the word prayer and its five companion words are used 543 times in the King James. I pray that my point has been made. The concept of prayer is from the beginning to the end of the bible. It is as important as any of us can imagine. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (KJV) gives us an invitation: “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of [...]