Core Values of The Church of God of Prophecy

During the International Assembly last week three core values were emphasized greatly by General Overseer, Bishop R. A. Howard. These core values are, prayer, harvesting the lost (reaching them for Christ), and leadership development. State Overseer, Bishop E. C. McKinley, posted some of his feelings about the first core value and it would be a great reading for anyone. He also posted a video. Click on the following link to read his message and to see and hear the video.

The Apostle Paul knew the prime value of the "weapons of our warfare." Surely prayer is at the top of the list. He writes in 2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled."

Our Captain also was a "prayer warrior." We read in Luke 5:17 "And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. This verse preceded the account of the healing of the man with the palsy who was carried on his cot by four men. What is often missed in giving this account is the verse before verse 17, which is, you guessed it, verse 16, which reads, "And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed." This was also during a time when his fame was spread abroad among the people after other miracles. Jesus would not be trapped by the "fleshly appeal and lauding of the people." He came to do His Father's will. Moreover, after the healing of the palsied man and others the Bible says he ". . .that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God." Prayer was not secondary with our Captain. Prayer was primary with Him. We can do no less.

WE MUST ENTER THE BATTLE WITH THE WEAPON OF PRAYER!