A GUIDE FOR PRAYER 42ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA June 17-20, 2014 Houston, Texas Pray that the Commissioners will have an ear only to the Word of Christ, as delivered in the Scriptures, as the rule for settling all substantial matters before the General Assembly (GA); that they will exercise prudence and good sense in all matters merely circumstantial; and that they will have the wisdom to so distinguish among the matters before the GA. Pray also that the Commissioners will engage in debate with a sense of fair play, integrity and charity, and that they will be so moved by the Spirit of God, as to put aside selfishness, pride or party spirit, in order to glorify Christ in His Church and edify His people; pray that in times of work, worship & fellowship, the bonds of love & unity among our Elders would be strengthened; pray that Pastors who come in discouragement would be heartened & encouraged to be faithful in their labor. Pray for the Moderator (and his assistants); the Stated Clerk; the Parliamentarians; and the office staff. Pray for your Elders’ faithful participation in the work of the Assembly and pray for the Lord’s blessing upon the ministry of the Word in the worship services and in the seminars pro- vided throughout the week. MONDAY 11:00 am—Committees of Commissioners begin meeting: pray for wisdom as they frame recommendations on all the business coming before the Assembly, as well as review the records of all the Permanent Committees and Agencies from the last year; pray especially for wisdom and practical efficiency for the Overtures Committee, as it must prepare recommendations on 42 of the 52 Overtures before the Assembly. Note, however, that there are a number of duplicate overtures this year: there are only 11 separate topics to be considered. TUESDAY 8:00 am—Committees of Commissioners continue. 7:30 pm—Opening worship service. Pray for the Lord’s blessing upon the means of grace, particularly the moderator’s closing address. 9:00 pm—First business session convenes. Pray for the election of the new moderator: that he would be wise, fair, firm and good-humored in leading the Assembly through the week. WEDNESDAY Report of Stated Clerk—pray that the Lord will give the Assembly wisdom on the final votes on last year’s proposed Book of Church Order (BCO) amendments; and that the revised docket arrangement, joining committee & agency information reports with their commit- tee of commissioner reports, will lead to greater efficiency and edification. Report of Committee on Christian Ed. & Publications (partial)—pray that the proposed change in the Committee’s name (Committee on Discipleship Ministries) will prove fruitful for its service to the PCA. Report of Committee on Interchurch Relations—pray for the members of the permanent committee; for delegates from other denominations who will address the Assembly; pray especially for a Reformed & Presbyterian unity throughout the world that does not violate the Church’s calling to be a pillar and support of the truth. Report of Committee on Presbytery Records—pray that the commissioners will consider with care this very important portion of the Assembly’s oversight responsibility. Report of Cooperative Ministries Committee—pray for the members of this committee as they seek to foster cooperative ministry among GA Committees and Agencies and provide a forum for resolving issues of inter-agency conflict. Report of the Ad Interim Committee on Insider Movements—pray that the PCA would profit from the study of “Call to Faithful Witness, Part 2: Theology, Gospel Missions, and Insid- er Movements” and that the Assembly would be able to faithfully and peaceably settle the controversies stirred by the Minority Report. Report of Theological Examining Committee—pray for care & faithfulness in their work of ex- amining GA-nominated officers. Report of the Committee on Reformed University Ministries—pray for TE Tom Cannon, the new coordinator; the members of the permanent committee; and for the work of RUM ministers in over 145 colleges and universities across the Unites States and in countries around the world. Report of Committee on Mission to the World—pray for Dr. Paul Kooistra (the coordinator), the staff, and the permanent committee; and pray for our missionaries throughout the world. To that end see: http://www.mtw.org/ Report of Committee on Discipleship Ministries—pray for Dr. Stephen Estock (the coordina- tor), the staff, and the permanent committee; for the funding of CDM as only 29% of our churches contributed in 2013; and for the work of discipleship across our denomination. Report of Committee on Ridge Haven—pray for the board of directors and the new camping season, especially that the children attending would come to know Christ or be further nourished in their faith. THURSDAY Report of Standing Judicial Commission—pray for the members of the SJC, that they would have a love for justice in the administration of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and for the glory of the Lord & the upbuilding of the Body; pray for the Lord’s blessing upon the SJC’s work in completing the cases pending and in the cases adjudicated this year; that the parties involved will receive the decision of the Court with humility & grace, that there will be repentance where there is sin, understanding where there is hardness of heart, and restoration among brothers & sisters who are divided. Report of Committee on Constitutional Business—pray for the Committee, that they advise ac- curately and wisely on any disputed questions during the Assembly. Report of Committee on Nominations—pray that able and faithful men will be elected; that those elected to office will serve well & that those not elected will not be discouraged; spe- cially pray for those to be elected to the SJC. Report of Committee on Covenant College—pray for the College, its President Dr. J. Derek Halvorson; and for the faculty, the Board of Trustees & the students. Report of Committee on Covenant Theological Seminary—pray for the Seminary, its President Dr. Mark Dalbey; and for the continued faithfulness of the faculty, the Board of Trustees & the students. Report of Committee on Mission to North America—pray for TE James Bland (the coordina- tor), the staff, and the members of the permanent committee; for capable men to plant churches; for the work of church planting, particularly among people from other cul- tures; for Bethany Christian Services; for PCA Chaplains; and that the Assembly exercise wisdom in the creation of new presbyteries. Report of Committee on PCA Retirements and Benefits, Inc.—pray for Gary Campbell (presi- dent), the staff, and the Board of Directors, that they be wise stewards of the various in- surance plans they administer, as well as of the investments made on behalf of the PCA; and pray for the prosperity of the retired ministers and widows relief fund. Report of Committee on PCA Foundation—pray for Randel Stair (president), the staff, and the Board of Directors; for the management & distribution of assets; and for faithful steward- ship in the PCA. Report of Committee on Administration—pray for Dr. Roy Taylor (Stated Clerk), the staff, and the permanent committee; pray for good stewardship in the approval of the budgets; give thanks that AC ended 2013 in the black and yet pray that many more than the 45% of churches contributing in 2013 would join the effort; pray particularly for committee efforts to increase RE participation at GA. Report of Overtures Committee—Pending are: overtures seeking to amend The Book of Church Order, including proposals to make Standing Judicial Commission (SJC) decisions in cas- es subject to the approval of the broader General Assembly; adjust the procedures of BCO chapter 43 on Complaints; make Presbytery judicial procedures more like those that gov- ern the SJC; adjust the procedures for removing candidates under care; an overture seek- ing to amend the Rules of Assembly Operation to allow the Committee on Constitutional Business to take exception to the decisions of the SJC in cases; and overtures seeking to affirm the need to protect against child abuse in the PCA; to reaffirm the PCA stand against same-sex marriage; to establish a study committee to consider whether the third ordination vow requires affirmation of exclusive male eldership; to add proof texts to the Directory for Worship in the chapter on marriage; to issue a warning with respect to er- roneous views of creation; and to express support for those who take a public stand in fa- vor of sanctity of life and marriage faithful to the teaching of Scripture. FRIDAY Adjournment, 12:00 pm—pray that the Assembly achieves this goal! Pray for a safe journey home for all, and for God’s favor in blessing that work which is according to His Word, and for His leading to see and correct that which is not. .