“And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:31)

The book of Acts is a favorite of many, and of its multiple themes, prayer is certainly one that stands out. Upon the return of two of their own (Peter and John) from a hearing and subsequent threat of the Sanhedrin, we witness in this text the prayer the group of believers offered up. Interestingly, it was not a prayer for safety and/or protection; rather, prayer was lifted for boldness, confidence, and that the name of the Lord to be glorified. And as a special demonstration of the power of God and His affirmation, not only did the place of gathering literally quake and move, but the believers were favored with a divine gifting of boldness as they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Might we too pray with boldness, seeking in all endeavors that the Lord be glorified and His kingdom enhanced.

As you meet with the Lord in prayer over these next few weeks, please recall these intercessions:

• Let us praise God for the 61 first-year students to our campus and the 39 returning students. We are grateful for God’s drawing of these young people to our campus for the study of God’s word and anticipate a mighty work in their lives and in the impact they will have within their spheres of influence.
• Let us praise God for His continued provision for the Student Life Center and that the completion of city permitting and its enclosure would occur prior to winter. Additionally, may fundraising efforts find success as the Lord moves amongst individuals and our congregations.
• Let us pray for the apologetics training scheduled for October 9th and 10th. Tim Barnett and Stand To Reason will be on campus training Christians to think more clearly about their faith and ways to graciously and effectively defend classical Christianity in the public sphere.
• Let us pray that many of our church’s high school juniors and seniors would register and participate in the 2019 “Up Close” event scheduled for October 17-18 at our campus. This gathering is designed specifically for 11th and 12th graders to get an up-close and personal look at the Free Lutheran Bible College.
• Let us pray for the persecuted church and be mindful of the connection we have as part of the church universal through the blood of Christ. We remember specifically the church in Hong Kong which includes a large number of Lutheran congregations. May we continually uphold these brothers and sisters that their faith remains strong, that God be glorified, and their witness in the most difficult of circumstances brings conversion to those who persecute them.
• Let us pray for our pastoral interns who have transitioned to the local congregation and are actively serving. May they grow in their dependence upon God, and may our host congregations receive them with love and care, and may this year provide valuable training and equipping for the pastoral ministry.
• Let us pray on behalf of our AFLC leadership, including Staff, Faculty, Corporations and Boards. To the end of serving as effective leaders and stewards we seek wisdom and discernment from the Lord, and we appeal to His mercies to guide and direct us in every decision.

On behalf of the Intercessor Team,

Pastor Kirk Flaa, Sioux Falls, SD