Local Christians gather in unity

SEELEY LAKE – More than 50 people gathered on the lawn north of the Seeley Lake 1-Stop Saturday, Sept. 26 to join in prayer for the community, state and nation. Led by local pastors, area Christians came together and asked for peace, hope, unity and revival in these times of uncertainty, division and fear that has gripped the lives of so many.

The community prayer time was an idea from Faith Chapel's Pastor Gary Wayne. He presented the idea to the other local pastors that meet weekly.

"This prayer gathering came about with like-minded pastors praying together and knowing that it needed to go beyond our small group," wrote Seeley Lake Baptist Pastor Jim Johnson in an email. "We did not want it to be held at any one church location but to be out in a community location that all could see."  

Mission Bible Fellowship Pastor Craig Wilson added in an email, "Gathering for prayer is not only following in the example of Jesus, but a wonderful expression of our unity as the universal church. Our different churches have varying convictions, but we can firmly agree on the priority of prayer." 

Wayne said in his more than 30 years of ministry in Seeley Lake, there has never been a time when the Christians of Seeley Lake have joined together in a public location for corporate prayer.

"Gathering together in a community prayer time is critical for the body of Christ to show that even with our differences as individual churches we can be unified in the truth of the Word of God and call the body of Christ to repentance and true revival in our hearts so that we can be a bright witness to the love and compassion of Christ to those who do not believe," wrote Johnson.

Johnson is the newest pastor moving to the area last fall.

"Over the year I have been in Seeley Lake I could see that there were deep divisions within the community," wrote Johnson. "My daily prayer is that different public and community boards determine to do what is best for the whole community, work to develop a respectful relationship with each other and work together for the community's best interest. I believe that when we do that, this community will grow with love and compassion. The body of Christ needs to be the example of unity in the truth.  I believe that Seeley Lake can be a beacon of light to the rest of Montana (maybe to infinity and beyond)."

Wayne opened the prayer time with the scripture "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land," 2 Chronicles 7:14. He prayed for the healing of wounded hearts, for those trapped in unhealthy behaviors, lifestyles or situations, and for physical healing.

Johnson, Wilson and Pastor Carrie Benton from Mountain Lakes Presbyterian Church each shared scriptures and words of hope and encouragement. They also guided the prayer time to focus prayers against the sense of fear and anxiety caused by the coronavirus pandemic that has taken over people's minds and lifestyle, the out of control rioting and looting across the nation, the hopelessness, loneliness and grief that so many are experiencing because of the loss of "normal," the upcoming elections and the division that has permeated the American culture.

Prayers were also spoken for forgiveness, healing, peace, wisdom in the elections, God's will, those who are grieving, revival in Seeley Lake and beyond, creative ways to reach out and engage with others and thanksgiving that God is in control.

"Along with the blessing for those who gathered on Saturday, The Church in Seeley Lake is a beacon of hope in Christ to all those driving by, and for those who prayed along with us from home," wrote Wilson. "This is a time of uncertainty and upheaval in our nation and world. Our only hope is through saving faith in Jesus Christ. We were able to join our voices in prayer in Saturday to affirm this." 

"Prayer to God is the key when we as humans know that things are spinning out of control because He is the Rock that we can hang onto in this turbulent world," wrote Johnson. "When we as individual churches collectively meet for prayer we realize that we are not an island isolated in our concerns about what is happening. We gain strength by hearing people pray for the same things we are concerned about especially about the need for a true revival. The more connected we are the stronger our faith in God grows."