Only nine weeks until Christmas. Wow! This year, the one we thought would never pass, will soon be history. Time marches on. In fact, before you read the next edition of the Messenger, three things will have come and gone. I want to touch briefly on each one while we still have time. I will take them in order.

First, October is Pastor Appreciation Month. If you have not done so already, don’t let these last few days of the month pass without showing your appreciation to your pastor. We show our appreciation in a few basic ways: words, gifts and time. Take time to carefully craft a personal note of appreciation. Be specific. Lead your children or grandchildren to write a note. Give your pastor a gift either from you and your family, or from your whole church family. Be generous! Grant your pastor some extra time off. This has been a difficult year for our shepherds. They could all use some downtime between now and Christmas.

Second, Election Day is Nov. 3. Everyone reading this article needs to vote. Remember that the old preacher used to say, “Before you go to the voting booth, make sure you go to the prayer closet!” Ask the Lord to guide you as you exercise this responsibility. One of the ways that we act as salt and light is through our vote. We need men and women of character who will protect life and protect religious liberty.

As author and noted ministry consultant Gregory Frizzell has said, pray for people to seek God and follow His will, and pray for God to have mercy on America. Read Frizzell’s “seven specific prayers for local and national elections” at the end of my column.

Third, Oklahoma Baptists will gather for our Annual Meeting on Tuesday, November 10. The fine folk of Broken Arrow, First will be our gracious hosts. This will be an abbreviated meeting beginning at 1 p.m. and concluding before 6 p.m. We will conduct essential business only—no pastor’s conference, no meals, no ancillary meetings and no exhibits.

Our essential business will include Bible preaching from President Blake Gideon, Andy Taylor and from myself. Our messages will center on the “Unhindered Gospel.” We will also elect new officers and hear reports of our work advancing the Gospel together in 2020. I hope you will make every effort to pre-register as a messenger and participate. We need you this year; we need each other!

I have been praying Col. 2:2 for the Oklahoma Baptists who gather in Broken Arrow on Nov. 10, “…that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love…”

Seven specific prayers for local or national elections
Based on principles from
1 Tim. 2:1-4
by Gregory Reed Frizzell

  • Pray for people to seriously seek God in how they vote
  • Pray that people will not put economics or politics above the godly and biblical foundations upon which America was founded
  • Pray for God’s Spirit to fill the voting booths and guide people as they vote
  • Pray that huge numbers of godly people will turn out to vote
  • Pray for people to follow God’s guidance, not just political parties
  • Pray that God will give us godly leaders of integrity who will govern in wisdom and righteousness
  • Pray for God to have mercy on America and stay His hand of judgment