The Tribune

PASTORS of Prayer recently celebrated their 12th anniversary at the Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church in Pastel Gardens.

The host was Pastor Arthur Charlton, who also serves as organisation’s vice president.

The celebrations were held under the theme “Pastors, Don’t Stop Praying” and the scripture text was Acts 12:1-16.

Pastors of Prayer is a fellowship of pastors that operate a prayer ministry via telephone every Sunday morning, agreeing in prayer to tear down the kingdom of darkness through the power of prayer.

During the service, special prayers were led by a youth representative from each church for specific concerns: the government, the nation’s elderly, the armed forces, the sick and shut-ins, the spiritual leaders and Bahamian families.

The group’s president, Bishop Ian Brathwaite, Sr, who is also the pastor of the Holy Dove Baptist Church, delivered a powerful and inspiring word from the throne room of God.

His charge was very direct to pastors, specifically when he told them, “This is no time to stop praying.”

He challenged them to pray their way out of whatever trials they are going through.

He also told them that no matter how hard or complicated the situation may appear, there will always be a praying church in their corner to pray them through and out of their distress.

Bishop Brathwaite reminded pastors and their congregations that the Lord has an angel to rescue them when the enemy tries to bind them with chains and throw them in prison.

At times, he said, like the disciple Peter in the text, they may find themselves bound in chains between two soldiers and it might feel as if guards were assigned to prevent them from doing the work God called them to do.

During that time, the Lord will command an angel to warfare and help them in time of need, Bishop Brathwaite said. He added that it only takes a command from the Lord to send an angel to go to them with a word for their situation. Saying, “Arise quickly”, and immediately their prison door would automatically be opened.

In closing, Bishop Brathwaite told the pastors to continue to declare the word of God daily.

He stressed to the pastors to never stop praying and told them to begin walking the streets boldly for Jesus and to tell dying men the wage of sin is still death, but the gift of God is eternal life. Pastors of Prayer will hold monthly street services.

Outdoor services will be held on Sunday evening at 6.30pm. Prior to the street service, walkabouts will be conducted in the community at 3.30pm to invite persons to the service.

For more information, contact Bishop Brathwaite at telephone number (242) 448-7002 or e-mail ianbrathwaitesr@yahoo.com.