NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER 2014 - SEAMLESSLY POWERFUL (IN PERSON & TO 1000's ON RADIO!)

Illinois State Senator Sam McCann (R-Springfield)
 declares his full allegiance to the Savior - Jesus Christ

The 63rd Annual National Day of Prayer State of Illinois Capitol City event was one power-packed time of worship and intercession! It was one seamless 90 minute where the Power and the Presence of Holy God was so heavy that all present and the thousands more who listened to the edited one hour version on radio - over the air and online (www.wluj.org)commented that this one was the best Prayer event and service they have been to. What made it so special, among other things, were the bold testimony of the few real born-again Christians in Illinois Politics Senator Sam McCann of Central Illinois and prayer leader after prayer leader who stayed on message and listened to God before speaking.

Scott Beauchamp
Springfield House of Prayer

The following were the invited prayer leaders: Scott Beauchamp (Director of the Springfield House of Prayer, which is doing amazing missions work in Israel, Brazil and other places); Pastors Paul Rose (Calvary Temple); Johnnie Standard (Springfield Bible); Kevin Carothers (Rochester First Baptist); Bob Armstrong (Living Water and Brian Williams (SpiritRiders and Broken Chains Church). The main emphasis on Repentance; Obedience; Humility and Salvation remains as our community event here grows in outreach and influence. We all know that God does NOT hear the prayer of an unrighteous man, so for several years now I have either given a message on how to be saved or another minister has. This year, the main wrap up speaker/pastor was Brian Williams of Broken Chains Church and he put the entire exercise of worship and intercession in perspective by showing perfectly why sometimes our prayers do not seem to be effective and how we sometimes just use 2 Chronicles 7:14 as a flag, without understanding just what it demands.

That verse says "and (if) My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land". The message from Pastor Brian was that the "humble themselves" part starts with church and ministry leadership...and especially with those who think that "their" church or "their" ministry is actually "theirs"...and not the Lord's! Hence, the need here is for absolute Repentance. Repentance precedes forgiveness and therefore, restoration with God.

Worship music was an inspiration from our good brother Don Hunt of the Chosen Generation Gospel group. I also am so grateful for Christian Radio station and Moody Radio affiliate WLUJ of Springfield for their 9th year of working with us to bring this off and then broadcasting the service for those many thousands to listen to at night, from anywhere in the world. Next year will be Year 10 since the Lord led me to assume the role of lead servant of this ministry, on behalf of Springfield Business Men in Christ and, Lord willing, it will be time of humility, more prayer and rejoicing with choirs and intentional worship songs.

We held this year's event inside the Auditorium of the Secretary of State's office at the Howlett Building, on purpose, so as not to compete with an ongoing Police Memorial event, close to our usual site by the Lincoln State on the State Capitol's East Steps. This move was also prophetic as the weather turned cold and the rain sprinkled! Next year's National Day of Prayer will be on Thursday May 7, 2015. Bookmark this.

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER 2012 PHOTO GALLERY

PASTOR BRIAN WILLIAMS, BROKEN CHAINS CHURCH

THE STATE CAPITOL COMPLEX - SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS

OPENING WITH PSALM 33

SENATOR SAM MCCANN CHALLENGES US TO PRAY

The Official National Day of Prayer Observance in the Capitol City of the state of Illinois is always a powerful time of outreach and intercession. Since the new era began in 2006, under direction of the Holy Spirit, we have progressed from a programmed prayer event to worship services in the past two years, to a full evangelistic revival type of atmosphere this year. 

PASTOR TONY FAETH. SEN. SAM MCCANN (RIGHT)

This format does not follow any pattern of other cities and we stay clear of any politicians, unless it is the Mayor of Springfield. This is the people's event....and this year, the people supported it and came out in the largest turnout in seven years! Thousands more heard the hour-long event broadcast later that night on Christian Radio on WLUJ 89.7 FM and over the internet. (Springfield's Mayor usually reads the City Proclamation. If I ever have a politician praying on the platform in the future, he or she will be a born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.)

SOME OF OUR WORSHIPPERS

FBC PASTOR MIKE HENDERSON

The theme this year was "ONE NATION UNDER GOD", but the theme I set out for Springfield was "What do I do now?" based on 1 Corinthians 14:15. This theme was fleshed out for days on this blog and on Facebook to the many hundreds who read and scores on Facebook who signed up as attending. The Holy Spirit threaded a thick thread of Repentance; Deliverance; Unity; Love and Salvation.

The revival atmosphere came with the preaching of the raw Gospel because we wanted people to know that they MUST BE SAVED not just to go to heaven, but to help others here on earth to get there. Also, just as important is this fact - God does NOT hear the prayers of an unrighteous (or unsaved) person!

AGES RANGED FROM 3 AND UP!

MANY SOUGHT SHELTER IN SHADE

PASTOR MERLE BUERKETT, NO MOUNTAIN TOO HIGH

The Worship Music was simple, rich and anointed without a rock band atmosphere...as I wanted simple and straight down the middle. The fellowship was even sweeter and the saints were loving on each other! The press ignored us, but who cares! Several Christian State Senators joined us, including my Christian brother and Senator Sam McCann. 
Most of all, the Gospel was preached and several unsaved people I invited stayed for the entire program and seemed to even enjoy it! They heard the Truth, now they must ask themselves "What Do I Do Now"?! 

THIS INDEPENDENT EVENT IS A MINISTRY OF BUSINESS MEN IN CHRIST.

OUR CO-SPONSOR IS CHRISTIAN RADIO FOR CENTRAL ILLINOIS, WLUJ 89.7 WHICH CAN BE HEARD FROM KEOKUK, IOWA TO BLOOMINGTON/NORMAL TO DECATUR AND SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS.