Texas Baptists asked to step up
for prayerwalk of state's perimeter
___By Ferrell Foster
___Texas Baptist Communications
___MOUNT LEBANON--Texas Baptists are being asked to "Pray the Perimeter" of the state Saturday, June 2, in a prayerwalking effort along the state's borders and coastline.
___On the following day, Pentecost Sunday, churches are asked to prayerwalk their facilities in the afternoon or evening.
___"I'm asking us to pray God's blessings on Texas and asking God to remove things from our state that we do not need and to bring to our state that which we do need," said Ted Elmore, director of the office of prayer and spiritual development for the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
___Elmore made the announcement to associational directors of missions Feb. 27. Several directors of missions already are making plans for Pray the Perimeter, he said.
___Thirty-seven associations fall along Texas' borders with Mexico, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, as well as the Gulf of Mexico coastline, Elmore said. The other 77 interior associations are asked to partner with those along the borders.
___While the BGCT is leading the effort, other Christians are welcome to participate, he said.
___And since the Texas border includes places, such as lakes, where prayerwalking is not feasible, creative means will be used to cover those regions. He said boats or airplanes may be used in such situations.
___The prayers will "claim Texas for Jesus and ask that God break every barrier to the sharing of the gospel and that God would bless every person" in the state, Elmore said.
___"As we pray the blessings of God on people we turn our focus from ourselves to God. Prayerwalking becomes a prophetic act in which we are declaring our intent to be God's people and to be used of him to minister the life of Jesus to others."
___BGCT Executive Director Charles Wade told the directors of missions how prayerwalking, before it was called that, impacted the ministry of First Baptist Church in Arlington, where he then was pastor.
___Ted and Virginia Holloway would pray in the church's intercessory prayer room, he said. They then would walk around the church property praying for the church and its mission ministries. On Saturdays, they would walk around the building seven times praying all the while.
___"I believe the many victories we got to experience in that church flowed from those prayers and hundreds of other members who knew that the best thing we can ever do is to pray," Wade explained.
___Elmore said the idea for Pray the Perimeter came to him about a year ago, but the timing did not seem right. After much prayer, he became convinced that this summer would be the proper time.
___"The timing of this enables us in the beginning of the 21st century to celebrate Pentecost, which is the coming of the Holy Spirit to indwell every believer," Elmore said. "While we celebrate the diversity in Texas, we also celebrate the one thing that has united us, the presence of Christ within us."
___Individuals or churches desiring to participate in Pray the Perimeter may contact one of the 37 associations directly or the BGCT office of prayer and spiritual development by calling (800) 288-PRAY or by sending an e-mail to elmore@bgct.org.
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