17 Dec, 2005

2005 has been an interesting year. We have been praying about the Supreme Court and have seen a new Chief Justice confirmed. Within the first months of 2006, a judge should be confirmed to replace Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. We must continue to pray that this process will go as the Lord desires it to go.

In the State of Pennsylvania, we have been seeking the Lord concerning a couple of key issues. The first related to gambling. Although increased gambling increased, it took many more months to complete than anticipated. I believe it illustrates that our prayers are having an impact. In addition to that, 80% of the school districts, who were to benefit from gambling funds refused to accept the gambling monies. We are now experiencing battles in specific locations concerning where the casinos will be located and who will run them. Communities like Gettysburg, Bethlehem, the Pocono’s, Philadelphia and others are battling to keep the casinos and all that comes with them out of their regions. On the surface, it seems that we have lost this battle, but we must not give up. IF ANY TWO OF YOU SHALL AGREE CONCERNING ANYTHING, I WILL DO IT!!! Let us not give up. Let’s keep praying that God will keep more gambling out of our state.

On a national level, we have been fighting battles concerning same-s e x marriage. According to the PA Family Institute this battle will begin to heat up in Pennsylvania. We serve a mighty God. He desires that people walk according to His righteous laws because that is what brings the greatest fulfillment to those who live by them.

I believe that the unity of the Body of Christ continues to be the single greatest challenge to seeing revival come to our state and nation. Unity is assaulted on numerous fronts. In many of our cities and regions, we fight strong ethnic division started decades ago. In addition, we battle denominational and theological issues. When we couple this with the fact that we are extremely busy keeping our own ministries functioning and we see that we have major difficulties in walking in unity. However, it will be out of unity that we will see God do "immeasurably more than we ask or imagine." If we are willing to set aside our own agenda and join together with believers of all kinds we will accomplish "everything our heart is set on doing." For us as believers, we desire to see His Kingdom come in great power to our cities and our state.

God has been showing me of late that there is hard work in making this unity happen. We must enter into covenant with those God calls us to so that each of our churches and organizations will be connected in covenant with others. As we connect in this way, we will become the Ezekiel 37 army connected bone to bone with Jesus at the head leading the charge.

PA SPN activities in 2005

• Prayer Trainings in Wilkes Barre, Canton and Philadelphia
• Convocations I and II. We held two gatherings of prayer leaders from around the State in 2005. These gatherings were small but were very helpful in developing relationships and for great prayer.
• Kerry and I have left our staff position so that we can give more time to the ministry in the State of Pennsylvania. (We are available for Prayer Training and Consultations, Unity Meetings and Consultations and City Reaching Consultations.) If we can serve you, we would be happy to do so.

PRAYER REQUESTS

• Pray that we as God’s people would go much deeper in our walk with the Lord in 2005. It is the increase in the genuinely spiritual that will stem the tide of the unrighteousness abounding in our state.
• Pray that the church in PA would come together in greater unity than ever before. We must do this. It is a tough thing to do, but we will not see change unless we do.
• Pray that God will have the Supreme Court of His choice.
• Pray that God would fill the entire national court system with judges of His choice.
• Pray that President Bush will grow in his walk with the Lord. Pray that He will have wisdom as he seeks to lead our nation.
• Pray that national, state and local government officials will write and enact laws that are righteous.

Let us determine to live more fully for the Lord in 2006. We have a Kingdom to advance.

John Shuey
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