the international day  of

{    p ray e r }

We need strength for the challenges

ahead…enduring, unending strength
…the type of strength that no man or
woman can generate alone.
“It is God who arms me with strength, and
makes my way perfect.”—Psalm 18:32 (NKJV)

Please join us on
Saturday, June 9th
as we prepare
for the year ahead.
Through Christ Who Strengthens Us
International Day of Prayer: June 9, 2012

On June 9, we will once again gather together in prayer for the Gideon ministry.
We cannot accomplish the tasks God has prepared for us through our own strength.
Now more than ever we must rely on Christ to strengthen us for the tasks ahead.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” —Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

The timing of our International Day of Prayer is no accident. June represents a time of
transition and opportunity for three important reasons:
The prior fiscal year has ended, and we are beginning a new year of reaching
others for Christ
Camp meeting and event planning should now be completed. This allows us to pray
for the events we have scheduled in detail
We will soon gather for our International Convention (in Dallas, Texas) for leadership
elections, important training, and powerful inspiration
Now is the time to look forward and seek His anointing on our efforts for the next year.
The challenges before us are difficult, but with praise to God, we will have the strength
we need. Deuteronomy 33:25 tells us “…and as thy days, so shall thy strength be." (KJV)
No matter what each day brings, in Christ we will have the strength to accomplish
what is before us. Praise God!

Start Strong—Day of Prayer Vital Information

As you prepare for the International Day of Prayer, keep these important facts in mind:
Your camp chooses the location (with emphasis on adequate seating and a quiet
room for spiritual effectiveness). Consider meal service if you plan a fellowship
time afterward
Your camp chaplain moderates
Your camp will choose the starting time
An electronic version of this International Day of Prayer agenda is now available
in theConnection
Make sure you include state, area, and camp prayer specifics, too—such as the
names of Gideon and Auxiliary officers in your state
Finally, every step of your Day of Prayer preparations should be covered in prayer.

“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his face continually.”—1 Chronicles 16:11 (KJV)
Working in the Strength of Christ—Day of Prayer Agenda
Just as an athlete must dedicate himself to exercise and practice in order to increase
his strength, we must remain dedicated to prayer and strengthen our resolve to reach
others for Christ.

The International Day of Prayer is an especially powerful day of intercession for the
ministry. Because our members live and serve in more than 190 countries worldwide,
someone will be praying for the ministry every minute of this special day.

The prayer time should last approximately one hour and 20 minutes. Two brief breaks
are suggested between the three separate prayer sessions—depending on how
quickly members complete each list of prayer requests. The three prayer sessions are
estimated to take 15–20 minutes each to complete.

Note: The short break times are simply suggested ones…and your camp may choose
to change them. You might prefer one longer break and another quick break.

7:00 a.m. Welcome and Opening Prayer

7:05 a.m. Song of Praise/Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:10–11
7:15 a.m. Kneel for Thanksgiving and Praise
Distribute copies of prayer topics to all in attendance
(from the April issue of the Information Bulletin,
the April issue of The Gideon, or theConnection)
7:20 a.m. Prayer Sessions
Strength from the Word (Psalm 119:28)
Strength through Prayer (Ephesians 3:16)
Strength in Action (Joshua 1:9)
Concluding Prayer
8:25 a.m. Concluding Scripture Reading: Isaiah 40:28–31
Gideon Circle (optional)
Meal and Fellowship (if desired)

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and the power of his might.”
—Ephesians 6:10 (KJV)
Strength from the Word —Day of Prayer Session 1
Reading: Psalm 119:25, 28, 107, 169 Focus: verse 28
“Strengthen me according to Your word…” —Psalm 119:28 (NKJV)

God’s Word is a magnificent gift, and contained within it are many promises and truths
about how we should obtain guidance and strength for the work before us. Psalm 119
especially provides great insight into the power and importance of God’s Word. Today,
as we pray for strength, let us also thank God for the gift of His Word, which we work
so hard to share with the world. Now, please pray for:
Thank God for what he has done for and through The Gideons International this year:
New opportunities
New members
Scriptures distributed
Personal witnessing
People saved
The core values of our ministry…that they will not be compromised:
An uncompromised belief that the Bible is the inspired, infallible,
and inerrant Word of God
A singular focus on the objective of “winning others to the Lord Jesus Christ”
A membership who:
Believe in the Bible as the inspired Word of God
Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the eternal Son of God
Have received Him as their personal Savior
Endeavor to follow Him in their daily lives
Are members in good standing of an Evangelical or Protestant church,
congregation or assembly
Participate in the activities of a camp
Help us fulfill our spiritual objectives of being:
Men and Women of the Book
Men and Women of Prayer
Men and Women of Faith
The unsaved (in hotels, schools, prisons, medical facilities, military facilities,
and more)
Those living in the more than 190 countries presently open to the Gideon ministry
Our own communities—friends, family, acquaintances in need of the Savior
Our church members and church leaders who regularly support us
Present and potential donors who help send Bibles and New Testaments
around the world
Prospective Gideon and Auxiliary members so necessary to this ministry
Strength through Prayer—Day of Prayer Session 2
Reading: Ephesians 3:6–7, 14–16 Focus: verse 16
“ That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened
with might by his Spirit in the inner man” —Ephesians 3:16 (KJV)

Of all the glorious riches of God that Paul could have requested for the Christians
at Ephesus, he chose strength—spiritual might from the working of the Holy Spirit
indwelling each believer. This strength is just as real, just as powerful, and just as
necessary today. Imagine what we could accomplish if we served continually through
the power of the Holy Spirit and not through our own strength. Like Paul, we should
pray for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit (for ourselves and members throughout
the ministry) because like Paul, we are also ministers of the Gospel (Ephesians 3:6-7)
seeking to share the Good News. Today, please pray for:
God to strengthen The Gideons International in our purpose of reaching others
An increase in the salvation of souls from the staggering numbers of lost people in
our communities, homeland, and world today
For the continued progress of our Scripture distributions, including:
Meeting our worldwide goals
Continued open doors
For congregations, pastors, missionaries and Bible teachers to know God’s Word
is inspired, inerrant, and infallible—and to share the true message of salvation
through the blood of Christ
The people of those countries where we cannot yet share God’s Word:
Afghanistan Maldives Somalia
Algeria Mauritania Tunisia
Comoros Islands Morocco Turkmenistan
Djibouti North Korea Uzbekistan
Iran Peoples Republic Yemen
Iraq of China
Libya Saudi Arabia
Our global economy and leaders dealing with major economic issues:
World leaders
National leaders
Local leaders
Churches not allowing Gideon presentations—that they will be open to
supporting our efforts
Gideon and Auxiliary leadership at camp, state, national and international levels
Help us fulfill our spiritual objectives of being:
Men and Women of Separated Walk
Men and Women Who Give

 Full implementation of the Auxiliary Five Core Programs in every camp
More funds to supply more Scriptures for the world
Our camp meetings and the ongoing training, fellowship, and spiritual
growth we experience
God’s continued blessings on those who have turned to Him after receiving His Word

Strength in Action—Day of Prayer Session 3

Reading: Joshua 1:9–11 Focus: verse 9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor
be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:9 (NKJV)

We are men and women of action, and we work hard to share God’s Word around the
world. Our task requires strength and courage because our ministry takes us to many
places. Some places are simply unfamiliar, but others may be dangerous. We also
need courage to speak in churches, build relationships, take on a new responsibility,
or approach potential new members. God’s Word tells us that whatever we do, we are
not alone, and we should not be dismayed. God will give us the courage and strength
to face the challenges of our next year of ministry. We need only ask, and God will
surely bless our efforts. Today, please pray for:
Your camp’s meeting and event plans
3 additional church presentations this year
Your camp’s Annual Membership Dinner
Your camp’s Scripture distributions
More Gideon and Auxiliary members to do the work of this ministry
Strengthening of each member’s own spiritual walk and witness
God to strengthen us as we work to be:
Men and Women of Compassionate Heart
Men and Women Who Witness
Our relationships with all pastors and church members
Our ministry’s vision and goals (Vision 2020)
Our upcoming international convention in Dallas and our other
conventions and conferences
Locations where we regularly distribute Scriptures—and the people who manage
them: hotels, schools & colleges, medical facilities, prisons, military personnel, etc.
Our ongoing personal witnessing

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen
you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
—Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)
So That A ll Might Hear

Prayer is the lifeline of every Christian. Through prayer, we deepen our relationship,
we grow, and we become strong in our faith. When we operate in the strength of
Christ, we become more effective in the good works God has prepared for us. We
must continue to build our strength—individually and as a ministry—through prayer.
We have a lot to do…

“But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be
preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear.” —2 Timothy 4:17 (NKJV)

A Special R equest for Ongoing Prayer

We must keep the words of International President Dennis J. Donnelly in mind:

"We can reach the lost and make a difference in the world and have an impact
  on people’s lives for eternity. What do we need to do?”

We must be doers. Our plan is for a surge…a surge in the churches, a surge in
membership, and a surge in distributions. We hope you will commit to this simple
and direct plan (in prayer and in action) to help your camp reach the following goals:
Church Presentations—Complete all presentations you had last year, plus three more
Membership—Increase your camp's membership by one
Scripture Distributions—Please pray (and work) to meet or exceed your camp’s
specific distribution goal
Now more than ever, we must be men and women of action. We must be doers, and it
starts with prayer! God bless you.