April 17 - Pray for Massachusetts!

2 Chron. 6:20-21
May your eyes be open toward this temple day and night, this place of which you said you would put your Name there. May you hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. [21] Hear the supplications of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place; and when you hear, forgive.

Thank you for joining the International Missions Society in our "month of prayer for missions." Today we are praying for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, one of the most significant states in American history from a cultural, historical, commercial, religious and educational perspective. Massachusetts also played an important role in the growth of our family of churches. Click here for more information on Massachusetts.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the city of Boston are especially in need of your prayers today, as many families who were affected by Monday's violence at the Boston Marathon are trying to deal with this senseless tragedy. Please pray for those who have lost loved ones, for those who are injured, for the city of Boston and for the disciples, that they can be compassionate and show the love of Christ to those around them.

We have three churches in Massachusetts, with a total membership of almost 2,600 disciples. Boston is led by Douglas and Joyce Arthur; Springfield (also known as Pioneer Valley) by Sajjan and Lisa Sharma, and Worcester by Tom and Sydney Caswell. To view today's video (produced by the Worcester church), click here.

If you are looking for guidance in terms of what to pray for, here are some suggestions:

1. Pray that God will strengthen the disciples who are living in this state.
2. Pray that God will open hearts, and connect those open hearts with disciples.
3. Pray for the youth and family ministry, and for the campus and singles ministries to grow.
4. Pray for a spirit of sacrifice as disciples make plans to give to missions.
5. Pray for God to inspire brothers and sisters to want to lead others.

If you want to send a note of encouragement to the disciples in Massachusetts, please reply to this email and we will pass on your message. Thanks!