The third IPHC Regional Prayer Conference met at Southwestern Christian University in Bethany, Oklahoma, September 13-14, 2019. Hosted by Dr. Lou Shirey and the WIN Prayer Ministry, representatives from five states gathered to seek the Lord’s face and intercede for the harvest in communities, cities, and nations.
Friday evening began with a focus on the prophetic word given to the IPHC through John Dawson in 1991. (The complete prophecy can be found on Page 27 of the IPHC Manual.) In this word Dawson stated, “You are, as a movement, to be characterized by joy. You are to be ’a people of celebration’ and ‘happy in the work that God has given you to do.’” Pastor Justin Blakenship from Landmark Church in Purcell, Oklahoma, prayed that the IPHC would be a movement that is marked by contagious joy.
Following a time of prayer over Dawson’s prophetic word, intercessors began focusing on the 20 indicators of awakening provided by Awakening America. Pastor John Youell from the Crown Center in Moore, Oklahoma, led in prayer for City Transformation, “I pray that You will give us a heart for the church in the city.” He continued by praying that churches would work together to accomplish God’s purposes in their cities.
Bishop Garry Bryant
Executive director of Evangelism USA, Bishop Garry Bryant, presented the goals of Arise 2033 and led in a passionate prayer, crying out to the Lord of the Harvest for souls and workers. According to Bryant, an increased labor force is our greatest need. In Matthew 9, Jesus was “moved with compassion,” and that compassion moved Him to action. “May the IPHC be moved with compassion that leads to action,” declared Bryant.
Bishop Bryant also prayed for President Tom Murray and Southwestern Christian University, which hosted the conference. The group agreed in prayer for supernatural provision and for young men and women who would accept the call to ministry.
Friday night’s time of prayer concluded as WIN Director Lou Shirey led the group in special prayer for each church and city represented.
The emphasis on the Awakening America prayer indicators continued Saturday morning with prayer for God’s Presence, Prevailing Prayer, Covenant Marriage, Righteous Relationships, Pastor Care, and Radical Generosity.
As he led in prayer for God’s Presence, Bishop Manuel Pate from the Tennessee Valley Conference shared a word picture that described the church as a ship with a bulbous bow, which guides the ship through tumultuous waters (Wikipedia). Bishop Pate prayed that as our prayers go before the ship, “that nothing would stop the presence of God. May your presence fill every area of your church as it moves forward.”
Dr. Lou Shirey
From the life of Epaphas in Colossians 4:12-13, Bishop Bryant also exhorted the church to return to the altar of prayer. “May God give the IPHC people with the spirit of Epaphas, who are willing to wrestle in prayer and work hard for the kingdom.”
The conference concluded as intercessors prayed for each conference bishop and pastor present. The final Regional Prayer Conference will be held in Columbia, South Carolina, November 1-2, 2019.
