Prayers That Transform a City
Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at 11:32AM 
By Annie McCune
The Bible instructs us to pray for our city and nation. Prayer is not merely giving God our “wish list,” though petition is an important part of prayer. The fullness of prayer involves coming into His presence with thanksgiving, repentance and acknowledgement of who He is.What’s more, prayer is about listening to Him, and listening leads to action.3 So how can we best pray for Buffalo? There are many problems—large problems, God-sized problems—ailing this city.
We are beginning to see His answers, though. One particular issue that has been on my heart is Buffalo’s housing problem, but He recently moved ABC, local businessmen and individuals with a myriad of talents to come together to create an episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Indeed, there is great reason for optimism that this is the beginning of a turnaround for our city. God answers prayer, and He can and does move neighbors to help neighbors. Not everyone is in a position to build a new house for a stranger, and God doesn’t expect you to be. As you spend time in His presence, He will speak to you about the best way to use your time and talents to transform your community. It might be as simple as having a nutritious meal with your own kids or helping a neighbor paint his house. Or, just maybe God will challenge you in the way He did David Stapleton, the president of David Homes. Perhaps God will lead you to run for a local office like the school board or to simply pray continuously for those who do. Let’s keep praying, listening and allowing God to use us as spiritual, emotional and physical instruments of transformation. And please consider yourself warmly invited to join us in Niagara Square on May 6 for the National Day of Prayer, where we will pray together as a city for our city, state and nation. For stories of answered prayer or to learn more about the National Day of Prayer, please visit: http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org
Anne McCune is the
Western New York
Coordinator for the
National Day of Prayer.
You can find out
more info at
www.wnyprays.com