Networks link people together who have similar interests. The Prayer Coordinators' Network exists for the glory of God through the interaction, communication, and encouragement of people who have responded to the call of God to pray (see John 17:22).
The SBC Prayer Coordinators' Network (PCN) invites you to sign up today. Please visit prayer_register to register as a prayer coordinator for your church and/or association.
Benefits of the PCN include advanced training, opportunities to learn how other prayer coordinators are leading in their area, encouragement, and prayer support for each other. The shared vision of every church being a house of prayer and pleasing our Father is a tremendous reason for meeting together in person and through technology. Register today, and let the Prayer and Spiritual Awakening staff know of any questions and/or suggestions that you may have. E-mail prayer@namb.net and put "PCN question" on the subject line.
Within the denomination, the Prayer Coordinators' Network can bring the local church into the greater body of Christ as they participate in special initiatives such as the call to repentant prayer, and the National Day of Prayer on the first Thursday in May each year. The North American Mission Board Quarterly Prayer-Gram offers the opportunity for the church and individuals to join other Southern Baptists in supporting missionaries in prayer for their specific daily prayer requests. To receive it, please send an email to prayer@namb.net and ask for the Prayer-Gram.
The 24-hour prayer line, 1 800 554-PRAY or the (prayerline) is another way to join other Southern Baptists by calling to receive current missionary prayer requests for immediate prayer. The bi-weekly Prayer Connection e-letter including prayer requests goes out on Tuesday for use in mid-week prayer gatherings and is sent to all those registering to receive it. The Southern Baptist Cooperative Program is a form of network as we join in agreement of purpose and financial support to send missionaries across North America and around the world to share the gospel and make disciples. (Visit imb.org for ways to pray for international mission efforts).
Within the association or state, prayer coordinator networks are effective for bringing together the people and resources to offer prayer retreats, training, conferences, or special events that one church alone could not accomplish. These networks help to unite the Christians in a given community, congregation, association, or the entire state convention. As pastors gather to pray together, they will more readily bring their congregations together for community services for National Day of Prayer, Thanksgiving, or other special occasions. Follow these links for a Church Prayer Coordinator job description and an Associational Prayer Coordinator job description. Please visit prayer register to register as an associational prayer coordinator.
Prayer coordinators that meet regularly to pray for one another develop a strong bond of love, encouragement, and accountability. The lost are naturally drawn to the light when there is unity within the body of Christ, so the networking of Christians in a community takes on a more important function than merely fellowship. As we desire to work with our Savior, we can easily see the need to network with other Christians outside of our local church (see John 17:21). Follow this link for a list of state prayer coordinators.
Within the church, prayer networks can serve as catalysts for starting new prayer ministries. For example, those interested in praying for their children and their children's school would be drawn to a weekly small group prayer meeting with that focus. Other believers with an interest in missions would be more likely to meet together to pray for specific missionaries or mission trips. God draws people to pray and He uses their natural interests to involve them in His work. Many avenues of interest could be offered by the church prayer coordinator to involve a greater number of church members in the prayer ministry, such as prayerwalking, prayer chains or e-mails, Shield-a-Badge/praying for public servants, adopt a leader/elected official, lighthouses of prayer/neighborhood prayer groups, prayer during worship, and other interests that members in the church suggest.
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