Pray for the Neighborhoods

Can We Depend on You To Leave the Light On?
God is up to something! When God desires to do something great, He always sets His people to praying. One of the prayer strategies God is using as a catalyst to bring change in the world is the Lighthouses of Prayer movement. We join this effort.

As the International Pentecostal Holiness Church moves into the 21st century, our local churches must spread the light of Christ everywhere by praying for and sharing Jesus with every lost person we meet. This will not be possible unless each family unit becomes involved in a concerted effort to pray for and witness to each lost person in their neighborhoods. Each family can become a “lighthouse of prayer,” in short, leaving the light on for your neighbors to find their way back home to God by way of the cross.

Look out your front and back windows and count the houses and/or apartments you see. How many did you see? How many neighbors can you name? Jesus once told His disciples, “…open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” (John 4:35, NIV). It’s time to gather that harvest. Will you join us in bringing the light of Jesus Christ into our world of darkness?

The Lighthouse Strategy includes three (3) basic concepts:

Pray! …with God’s love!

• Begin by praying for a few neighbors you know! You may choose to find a Christian friend or two to pray with you.
• Next, make a simple map of your neighborhood. Write in the names of these households and specific prayer needs you know might exist.
  
• Add more of your neighbors’ names and needs as you identify them.
  
• Begin to “walk and pray” (prayer-walking) your neighborhood! While at home, pray for your neighbors using your map!
  
• Pray regularly as you continue to add information, such as children’s names, etc., to your “prayer map.” A simple electric candle in a window can remind you to pray!
  

Care! …with God’s strength!

• Be friendly! Greet your neighbors when you see them. (Many people are lonely! A quick wave or “Hi” may be his or her only contact with anyone all day or week!)
  Be ready to listen. People need to know you care about what is important to them! Listen for needs they have or share. Tell them you will be praying for them!
  
• Build relationships by allowing time to be outside when they are outside. (Saturday is a great day to mow the lawn, wash the car, weed or shovel snow.) Be quick to reach out with “random acts of kindness.” (Pick up trash on their lawn, move their garbage can away from the curb if they’re late arriving home, place their newspaper near their door if it’s left on the driveway, etc.)
  
• Be the first to take a few cookies and welcome new neighbors. Introduce new neighbors to others. Be known as the warm, helpful neighbor!
  

Share! …with God’s power!

• Allow the Lord to use you by inviting neighbors inside when they stop by! The house may not be very tidy or you may have company, however, this will make you a real friend when you treat them like one.
• Plan simple coffees or teas with your neighbors. If it’s simple, they will not be intimidated and will be more likely to invite you to their home.
  
• Host a neighborhood baby or wedding shower, or invite someone new in your neighborhood to meet a few other neighbors. Be an inviter. Take a neighbor as your guest to a Women’s Ministries or Men’s Ministries meeting. Neighbors can be your special guests at a church outreach service, evangelistic crusade, retreat, or Bible study, as their interest dictates. (Take your time – God will lead you!)
  

Action Steps

• Present the Lighthouse Prayer Strategy to your church leadership
• Solicit the prayers of your leaders for the birthing of a this intercessory vision
• Challenge your people to become part of the Lighthouse Network of your local church
  
• List and map your local church’s Lighthouses of Prayer
  
• Visit the Lighthouse Movement web pages for additional resources
• Update your congregation with testimonies from your Lighthouse evangelism efforts
• Reach your community for Christ through prayer