What sets Prayer Intercessors Apart?

QUESTIONS: 

• What is Prayer?

• What is the function of a True Intercessor?

• How does abiding and worship make a difference?

• How does unity play a major role in our effective and fervent prayer?

• How can you bring your prayer life into a more fruitful place?

What is Prayer?

Prayer is a humble relationship and communication and relationship with God in a heart filled with reverence and awe before God. It is a place of love for all, not only our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a place that produces the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self control. And, it is a place of abiding daily, minute by minute and moment by moment.

What is the Function of a “TRUE INTERCESSOR”?

Intercessors are willing to take a risk and sacrifice to any length as they boldly defend those whom the Lord has given them assignment over. They are already ready and willing to volunteer for anything their assignment needs. The heart of the intercessor is one of mercy, humility, and service. 

How does Abiding and Worship Bring Intercessor Fruitfulness?

Because of their close and abiding relationship with God, they step out in obedience to God’s promptings, and find favor with God. The results of a life of intercession is multiplication of the seed planted as they lay down their own lives for those whom they are called to serve and pray for no matter the cost.

How does unity play a major role in the effective and fervent prayer of the Intercessor?

Those who are actively engaged in the role of the intercessor work together with other intercessors in harmony to achieve their common goal. They work toward a common cause where each has their own role. A wise person said: “Satan laughs at our toiling, mocks our wisdom, but trembles when he sees His saints in unity on their knees.” 

How can you bring your prayer life into a more fruitful place?

Intercessors usually do not intercede at the same location as other intercessors called to serve on the same assignment. The ability for the intercessors to create unity among the prayer intercessors is key to their success and is directly related to having a servant spirit, one of submission to accomplish what God has called them to do. J. Sidlow Baxer reminded us: “Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our person, but they are helpless against our prayers.”

And, Jesus, the One who sits at the right hand of God interceding for us, said:

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me? 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:20-23 

Rev Lois Blei

CEN PRAYER Ministry

lois.blei@christianemergencynetwork.net

"FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS"

Ready Christian, Ready Church, Ready City, ReadySchool

Why So Many Church Attacks?

 As a Christian first responder and in my expertise as a Public Information Officer for the Christian Emergency Network, I am always vigilant to watch for emerging trends as it relates to protecting the body of Christ!  

One alarming trend is the massive increase in attacks on Churches this year. There are a number of factors that may have contributed to the increase in attacks on churches. One reason is the political and social polarization being experienced in many parts of the world. Churches have traditionally been seen as places of refuge and safety, yet they may have become targets for those seeking to make a statement or to express their anger or frustration about a particular cultural or legal issue such as pro-life protests getting out of control.

Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has played a role, as churches have become identified as possible locations for the spread of the virus. This has led to tension between civil and legal authorities and church leaders. In some cases, this tension may have provoked violent responses.

Finally, religious extremism and terrorism are always a concern, fueled on the dark web, by groups or individuals who are seeing attacking churches as a means to advance their agendas or to incite fear in the population.

Read more about Increased Attacks on Churches and how you can become a ReadyChurch prepared to respond spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically to any crisis large or small. 

Christian Emergency Network’s seasoned Christian experts are standing by ready to help you prepare yourself and your church to be aware of threats and risks while giving Hope in the midst of these uncertain times. 

To Contact CEN John Phelps, who will help you learn how to communicate both internally with your congregation or with national media outlets in a time of crisis, and to learn how to form and train a crisis response team or conduct a threat/risk assessment  go to: www.christianemergencynetwork.org

School Incident "Lessons" as Church Settles Lawsuit

In the aftermath of the Nashville Covenant Christian School deadly attack which brought increased attention to how our schools are protected, The U.S. DOJ settled a dispute on the responsibility of the government to notify local authorities of the criminal background of the assailant. Why did this happen? CEN introduces ReadySchool training for all Christian schools to prepare for incidents like Nashville before children feel unsafe or loss of life. Read about Lessons learned from the Nashville incidents.

Let’s Pray!

The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my Savior, You save me from violence. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.

2 Samuel 22: 3-4

LORD God, yes You are our strength and now we declare our trust in You. To say ‘Thank You’ is hardly adequate to express the truly blessed place of living with the highest gift possible of salvation.  Then adding to that, in this life You provide our place of refuge from a world where hurts and needs never stop whether our own or someone we love. Yet, You are the sole source of keeping us safe and protected.  So yes once again, we call upon You and declare Your worthiness for all our times. Messiah, Jesus the Christ, in You we bow with gratitude. AMEN

CHURCH

After 6 years, in yet another case, The U.S. Department of Justice reached a lawsuit settlement regarding the unprecedented Christian Church Mass Shooter incident in Sutherland Springs, Texas in 2017 where 26 people were killed. The assailant was never added by the Air Force to the information needed for local law enforcement to be notified of his history as a person of concern which would have restricted him from use of weapons and artillery type equipment. Questions remain as to why this has taken so long as this protocol was well established prior to the incident. It raises the concern that faith-based organizations have a greater risk of justice denied when justice is delayed for 6 years! There has been an 80% rise in attacks on Christian churches in the past two years which is precisely why all churches need to be a ReadyChurch to protect and defend the right to freedom of worship without coercion. Why did this legal battle happen? What are the steps Churches need to take to protect against this protocol being broken again? 

Read More

To speak with CEN ReadyChurch and Government affairs expert Mary Marr , call 877-930-8830, or email your question to  mary.marr@christianemergencynetwork.org 

SCHOOLS

CEN’s Audrey Burgher, a seasoned school principal and co-author of ReadySchool training said: “Sadly, most Christian schools do not know how to manage a total incident like the one in Nashville, TN, including the ministerial opportunity because they have not taken the ReadySchool basic training. ReadySchool training would help them identify and set up response teams; assess their level of readiness and threat/risk accurately; increase their response capacity including how to manage a national media scrutiny, as well as training for suspicious behavior recognition and de-escalation.” Are You a ReadySchool?

Lessons Learned on Nashville Christian School Incident

Need Answers to the Nashville Christian School Attack?

To speak with CEN ReadySchool expert, Audrey Burgher call 877-930-8830  or email audrey.burgher@christianemegencynetwork.net 

COMMUNITY

In the wake of storms affecting several states CEN ReadyFL continues to respond to the hurricane damage in Ft Myers FLA as ReadyMS has been activated in the hardest hit areas in Mississippi. While many Christian groups like Samaritan's Purse and The Salvation Army respond with the Hope of Jesus in Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi (again), Illinois, Indiana, and Delaware leaving 32 dead and many others without shelter.

CEN ReadyCity expert Mike Boler says: “ReadyIndy churches have demonstrated tremendous resilience, with many sharing the Gospel and offering solace to those affected. Recovery efforts have seen a remarkable collaboration among residents, organizations, A trained ReadyCity, alongside local government; is a true testament to the strength and compassion of the Christians of Indiana. Together, they continue to rebuild and restore hope, embodying the warmth and support that defines their community.” Learn more about how your community can be a ReadyCity. 

To speak with CEN ReadyCity expert Mike Boler call 877-930-8830 or email at:

mike.boler@christianemergencynetwork.net

CEN News brings Christian awareness and timely actionable information related to security threats/risks and natural emergencies, where ReadyChristians are bringing the Hope of Christ when 90% in crisis ask: Where is God in this? 

“Always be ready to give an answer for the Hope that is within you!” 

I Peter 3:15

Why Six Years to Settle Church Mass Shooter Incident?

After 6 years The U.S. Department of Justice reached a lawsuit settlement regarding the unprecedented Christian Church Mass Shooter incident in Sutherland Springs, Texas in 2017 where 26 people were killed. The assailant was never added by the Air Force to the information needed for local law enforcement to be notified of his history as a person of concern which would have restricted him from use of weapons and artillery type equipment. Questions remain as to why this has taken so long as this protocol was well established prior to the incident. It raises the concern that faith-based organizations have a greater risk of justice denied when justice is delayed for 6 years! 

According to The Daily Signal there have been triple the number of attacks on Christian churches just this year which is precisely why all churches need to be a ReadyChurch to protect and defend the right to freedom of worship without coercion. Why did this legal battle happen? What are the steps Churches need to take to protect against this protocol being broken again? 

Faith based Organizations Own Preparedness

Questions remain as to why this has taken so long to resolve as this protocol was well established prior to the incident. It raises the concern that faith-based organizations have a greater risk of justice - justice denied when justice is delayed for 6 years! The Sutherland Springs church, while part of the Southern Baptist Convention denomination, did not have a spokesperson to begin gathering the timely accurate information and sharing it appropriately. On the day of the incident it was a National Guard person who reported the incident to the congregants, not one of their own public information trained leaders. They did not have their own trained Public Information leader in place to handle the information related to the incident for law enforcement, or to communicate timely to their own congregation. 

In this case, the Sutherland Springs church did not have their own Safety Security team in place that worked with other churches nearby. Churches are often not in contact with one another to even know when suspicious people are roaming their halls or scouting the perimeters or floor plans making them more at risk. This is why it is important to conduct the  ReadyChurch training so that memos of understanding are reached with churches within the same zip code so they can support each other in suspicious behavior recognition. This may have prevented the Sutherland Springs church attack even though they were in a rural location. 

Law Enforcement Do Not Share Motives

One of the reasons for the rise in attacks on churches in the past two years is that law enforcement are reluctant to provide the hard data on incidents or motives behind the incidents. Whether it is to avoid copycat incidents or reluctance to go down the arduous road in filing for a “hate crime” against a house of worship the hard data is not readily available. With churches being soft targets this is especially problematic. 

This is why, again, it is important for the church to be a ReadyChurch to be aware of suspicious activity and know whom to report it to for a timely trusted relational response with local law enforcement.

Justice Delayed is Justice Denied

 

The legal battle happened because some people did not do their job. The Air Force had the responsibility to make known the background of the assailant in a timely manner before the incident occurred and 26 lives perished. 

The fact that it took six years for this settlement to be reached indicates the U.S. government did not take immediate responsibility on their part to bring swift justice nor did the Air Force acknowledge their error. While we cannot conjecture as to the motive behind the assailant, the fact that justice was not rendered in a timely manner is also a concern. Justice delayed is justice denied.  

What are the steps Churches need to take to protect against this protocol being broken again? 

Churches need to have trained response teams made up of a simple incident command leadership structure with back ups to handle any emergency whether it is the everyday crisis in the church, a situation like the Sutherland Springs church, or a natural disaster response. Churches who have taken ReadyChurch training are better prepared to work closely with law enforcement and emergency management when a crisis happens. 

To speak with CEN ReadyChurch and twenty year veteran FB Government affairs expert Mary Marr , call 877-930-8830, or email a question to:  mary.marr@christianemergencynetwork.org

Lessons Learned Christian School Incident

Be AWARE!

 

Covenant Christian School in Nashville TN, was the target of an active shooter incident where three children, three adults and the assailant were killed. CEN Consultants are examining this incident to answer the outstanding questions that the Christian community needs to know for situational awareness with timely actionable information to prevent future loss of life; for steps they can take to prepare; and to be ready to respond quickly and effectively in the future. WSJ conducts a poll on the decline of American faith, family and values. Ongoing systematic persecution of Christians around the world begs immediate attention by U.S. diplomats. MS, AL, TN, AK and the Midwest suffer natural disasters with vast devastation and loss of life.

Lessons Learned from Nashville Christian School?

Learn more about these and other threats facing CHRISTIANS, CHURCHES and Christian SCHOOLS around the globe in:

  

CHURCHES

Burglaries, Arson and Violent Attacks on Churches up 80% in three years

WSJ Poll shows Americans Respect for Faith, Patriotism and Family Plunged

Family and Faith Values - a Signal of National Decline?

Church Assembly Debates Government and Transgender Procedures on Minors

Church Pastors Weigh Leadership Strategies in Polarizing Times

SCHOOLS

Be prepared and protect your kids from an incident like Nashville TN by applying CEN’s ReadySchool training. Having a plan at the school your loved ones attend, or perhaps a school you work at is of paramount importance in today’s society. Responsive plans alone are not adequate. For more information contact: audrey.burgher@christianemergencynetwork.net 

The CPPS Safe Schools Program is a tiered PROACTIVE approach in use at many learning facilities around the country. It arms the students, parents/guardians, teachers, and the administrators with knowledge of what to look for and when to report something that is suspicious. You just add the names of whom to report the incident to! This holistic approach will help to ease tensions, relax students and faculty, which will then facilitate more learning. 

Watch the CPPS SafeSchools Tiered Approach 

For more information contact: dan.graeber@christianemergencynetwork.net 

ACTIVISM/EXTREMISM

Kirk Cameron Story Hour Denied Space Indoors

Antifa Jane's Revenge Forces Law after Attacks on Crisis Pregnancy Centers

DOJ Indicts Two Activists Against Pregnancy Centers

INTERNATIONAL

Systematic Persecution of Christians and Uyghurs in China

Thai Authorities Arrest 63 Chinese Christians in UK and US to fight Deportation

Nigerian Military Does Nothing while Christians Killed in Plain Sight

Muslim Extremists Attack Pastor/Son in Uganda

Join with other Christians facing the extremist persecution and threats to our Christian community today - we are stronger together as a ReadyCity

Let’s PRAY!

Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:19-20

Gracious Lord our God, how honored we are to be made in Your image and called to represent You and salvation through Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to this lost and sin filled world.  Ambassadors for Your Kingdom is the highest honor and responsibility we can attain towards. Thank you for inviting us to Your righteousness through the sinless life of our Savior, Jesus. AMEN

____________________________________________________________________________

 Get READY!

Be prepared and protect your kids from an incident like Nashville TN by applying CEN’s ReadySchool training. Having a plan at the school your loved ones attend, or perhaps a school you work at is of paramount importance in today’s society. Responsive plans alone are not adequate. For more information contact: audrey.burgher@christianemergencynetwork.net 

The CPPS Safe Schools Program is a tiered PROACTIVE approach in use at many learning facilities around the country. It arms the students, parents/guardians, teachers, and the administrators with knowledge of what to look for and when to report something that is suspicious. You just add the names of whom to report the incident to! This holistic approach will help to ease tensions, relax students and faculty, which will then facilitate more learning. 

Watch the CPPS SafeSchools Tiered Approach 

For more information contact: dan.graeber@christianemergencynetwork.net 

____________________________________________________________________________

Be THERE!

Be AWARE, READY and THERE Sharing the Hope of Christ! 

Dear Jesus, Help them in MS! Power of Prayer

Kirk Cameron Undeterred sharing his Faith on Library Tour

80 Congressmen/Pastors Sing ‘Amazing Grace’ Seeking God in the Capitol Rotunda

CEN ALERTS, Advisories, ACTIVE Threat News, and FAQs provide timely actionable weekly information and threat analysis to help the Christian community to be AWARE - READY and THERE sharing Christ for such a time as this! 

CEN provides consulting, coaching, resources and guidance for Christians while monitoring and coordinating with law enforcement and emergency management 24/7. CEN ATN content contains open source news articles which may or may not be the views held by CEN or may contain errors which are not the responsibility of the CEN.

“Be READY to give an answer for the Hope of Christ within you.” 

I Peter 3:15

Need Answers to TN Christian School Shooting?

Incident Summary:

1. On March 2, 2023, the Governor of Tennessee signed into law a bill banning transgender procedures for children. Then, on March 27, 2023, a self-identified trans adult killed three children and three school staff members at the Covenant Christian Elementary School. 

2. Contradicting reports of how the shooter entered the building:some reports say the shooter shot through a door to gain entry; other reports say the shooter entered through an unlocked door to the church and walked into the school through a hallway from the church to the school area of the building. 

3. It appears the shooter shot out the door to gain entry into the school. Further supporting the need for bullet-proof glass, doors, and walls in our schools. Fortified buildings are needed, but we must remember that the students are not only kept inside the building. We must have solutions for the times our students are arriving at school, leaving school, and going outside for recess or outdoor learning.  

4. The shooter had surveillance maps of the school prior to the shooting.

5. Police reports indicate that the call of an active shooter at the Covenant School came in at 10:13 AM. At 10:27 AM the suspected shooter is pronounced dead.

6. Interview with the Nashville PD Chief, John Drake revealed:

1. There is no evidence the shooter was targeting anyone.

2. The manifesto talked of maps and other schools.

3. Police believe the “suspect” (Seriously ?, the suspect?) had some training to shoot.

4. The shooter had sought mental health treatment.

5. When asked directly, he maintains that a motive has not yet been determined.

6. The shooter had legally purchased 7 firearms from five different, local, gun stores. The shooter used three of these guns in the shooting.

7. News reports indicated that the pastor’s daughter, and youngest of his four children, was the main target. The daughter, Hallie Scruggs, is one of the named victims. The pastor, Chad Scruggs, has been the pastor of Covenant Presbyterian since 2018. And, the pastor of the church had been counseling the shooter.

8. The shooter was identified as a “woman who identifies as trans” by Police in their Press Conference. Then they said there was no history of mental illness. 

Threat/Risk Landscape Increases to Christian Community

CEN Security Consultant, Mori Fernandez, with decades experience in high profile security incident prevention and mitigation, says the threat/risk landscape for the Christian community has increased because:

• The core beliefs of Christian schools/churches are contrary to transgender beliefs. 

• The shooter is being hailed as a hero on social media encouraging further attacks on the Christian community at large. 

• There was a universal call for ‘Christian Vengeance’ where a whole weekend was planned by the gender community in Washington, DC. 

• There have been other citywide calls for attacks against Christians in the mainstream media which are escalating nationwide. 

• There are often copycat shootings after shootings like this where a lot of media attention has focused upon the incident.

• The General Public is now more aware most Christian schools and churches DO NOT have a security plan in place which include simple deterrents such as: bullet proof doors and windows; onsite security personnel; protocols which keep doors locked appropriately! 

CEN Consultants and subject matter experts are conducting research on Lessons Learned from the Covenant Christian School incident to bring to the Christian community to become more aware of threat/risks and to augment CEN’s ReadyChristian/Church/City/School training with current timely actionable information and resources, and to be ready to give an answer for the Hope within should a tragedy like this occur again.

CONTACT US to add to this list of questions in the subject line you would like our CEN Consultants to answer? 

CONTACT US  to know when CEN’s Covenant Christian School Lessons Learned Report is available for download.

What are the Questions Begging Answers?

• What was the Media Response?

• What was the Dark Web Response?

• What was the Police Response?

• What was the School Staff Response?

• What was the Christian Community Ministry Response?

• What was the Government Response?

• What were the Inflammatory Actions post incident?

• Why was that School targeted?

• Who classifies AS Mental Illness?

• What should be the Christian Response to Inflammatory actions?

• Why do Christian schools/churches need Bullet Proof 

Doors/Windows and Locked Doors?

• Who should be Christian spokesperson to push back on hateful rhetoric? 

• When should the shooter motive be released? (manifesto)

• Was this a domestic terrorism incident?

• Was this a hate crime?

• Why was the Nashville shooter situation mitigated more quickly than Uvalde?

What other questions should Christians be asking and to whom?