American Baptist Churches of New Jersey and Palmer Theological Seminary
Monday, September 14, 2020

As we and our churches are making our ways in the midst of the pandemic, racial strife, and economic hardship, we feel uncertain, pulled in many directions, and subject to many concerns and fears.  We have been struggling and divided over whether and how to open our churches; in fear and sorrow over catching the virus and loved ones lost to it; in despair over the loss of jobs and how to make ends meet; in the sorrow and lament over the things that we were expecting and looking forward to that have been lost; and in anger mixed with hope and ambivalence at the continuing manifestation of deadly racism and the strength of multi-racial protests and anti-racist efforts marred by violence by a handful.  In the midst of all of this, we tend to forget to be intentional about deepening our connection with God, listening to the Spirit, and focusing on what God would have us do as followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Hope of the World.

In the coming months, as the scourge of the pandemic continues, as the divisive rhetoric of the election heats up, and as anti-racism efforts, God-willing, grow in strength, these uncertainties, fears, sorrows, and laments will continue and if anything be heightened.  It will be even more important, therefore, to make sure that as Christians we are centered and focused on what God is revealing to us, the hope that God has for us, and how God is calling us as witnesses to redouble our efforts to share the Gospel and love our neighbors in thought, word, and deed.  

It is for this reason that we are issuing this Call to Prayer to our churches, institutions, students, faculty, staff, and alumni, to take place for four months on each Monday, at 8:00 pm EST, starting on September 14 through December 28, and to come together the last Monday of each month by Zoom for prayer together.

We call you and ourselves to set aside that time each Monday to pray either individually or corporately, and then the last Monday of each month we will facilitate all of us gathering to pray together virtually.  Below you will find a chart of suggested themes, verses, and focuses for prayer each week so that we can be lifting up unified voices to the Lord, and knowing that we are part of one, focused body as we do so.  And, when we come together virtually on that last Monday of each month at 8:00 am EST, we will do so in such a way that it will be even more visible and encouraging to us and to all.

We believe that it is our duty as Christians to employ every means in the power that God has given us to renew ourselves, share the knowledge of the Gospel with others, walk with those who are hurting and oppressed, and be used to bring about social and spiritual transformation.  Prayer is perhaps the most powerful thing that God has given us to enable us do so, and we are commanded to use it constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17).   We hope and pray that you will join us in this Call to Prayer and share it with others, as together we seek to return to God in the midst of all that is happening, to center and pay attention to where God is calling us, to help us see what is next for the church, and to find and create hope in the midst of the many difficulties and laments of today.

Dr. David Bronkema, Dean, Palmer Theological Seminary
Rev. Miriam Méndez, Executive Minister/Senior Regional Pastor, ABCNJ
Rev. Dr. George Hancock-Stefan, President, ABCNJ Council and Associate Professor of Church History, Palmer Theological Seminary