Big Ben Minute of Prayer

Big Ben, London

The Big Ben Silent Minute was a brief time of prayer observed every night by millions of British as they endured one of the darkest periods of their modern history. During the Blitz that began in September, 1940, sixteen British cities were bombed.  London was attacked 71 times, 57 of those on consecutive nights. More than one million houses were destroyed or damaged, and more than 40,000 civilians were killed, almost half of them in London.

In the midst of that Blitz, at 9:00pm on November 10, 1940, BBC Radio broadcast the the chimes of Big Ben for the first time as a signal for prayer.  Every night thereafter, through the War - on land, at sea, on the battlefields, in air raid shelters and in hospitals - millions of Brits paused and prayed for deliverance and peace. In the dark days of war the Big Ben Minute became a vast network of Light and Hope in the hearts of all people of goodwill.

A U.S. Big Ben Minute

In keeping with that historical precedence, and heeding recent calls for another era of a prayerful national minute, we urge all Ramonans to join us to observe a minute of prayer for our nation, our community, and for peace throughout the world.

Recent calls for this prayerful minute suggest that in the United States we adopt a simultaneous minute based on our time zone. So across the time zones the Big Ben Minute is observed at:
    9:00 Eastern Time
    8:00 Central Time
    7:00 Mountain Time
    6:00 Pacific Time

A Ramona Big Ben Minute

Please join us for one minute, every evening at 6:00pm, to pray for Ramona and for our country.

The Body of Christ as a Pot of Chili?

Chili, an American tradition, is a fitting metaphor for the Body of Christ. Thrown together with a variety of ingredients, spices, and seasonings, each pot is distinctive. No two churches, like pots of chili, have the same flavor. Each church is unique, but all call on the Name of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

At Ramona's Third Annual Evening of Prayer on September 8th we'll celebrate our common Bible-based Christian core beliefs over pots of chili from many churches. Then we’ll join together to pray for Ramona's youth and the United States of America under the banner of our flag, Old Glory.

We invite you or your church to bring a pot of your best chili to a friendly taste-off competition to celebrate and observe the rich, loving, harmonious tapestry of the Body of Christ. 

Currently there are 6 churches bringing chili. What about you? To respond or ask questions send email to me at webmaster@ramonaprayer.org

DETAILS

This will not actually a full meal. It may be more proper to call it a “taste-off” since we’ll provide only small-portion tasting cups and spoons.

Use these general guidelines to help you prepare.

1. Bring a stable portable rectangular table (approx. 3x6 feet), your chili pot and 3-4 serving spoons, and a comfortable chair for each chili wrangler.
2. Prepare a sign or tape a paper banner to the front of your table with this info:
   • your CHILI’s NAME. Beneath or around write a list of adjectives that describe your chili (mild, robust, spicy, meaty, hot, etc.) 
   • your CHURCH NAME, address and telephone number. Beneath or around write a list of adjectives that describe your church body (Christ-centered, committed, service-oriented, caring, friendly, loving, joyful, kind, loyal, etc.).
3. Set up your table at Ramona Oaks Park between 4:30 and 5:00 on Saturday, September 8, 2012.
4. People will begin arriving as early as 5:00 to sample your chili. They may continue to taste when worship and praise begins at 6:00, but you should return your chili pot to your car no later than 6:30 and then return to join in the evening’s celebration of prayer and worship. 5. Please bring a copy of your recipe. We’ll collect and post them here at http://eveningofprayer.blogspot.com.

A Word to Pastors from Coach Pete

Last week Coach Pete sent the letter quoted below to 24 pastors in Ramona, along with several copies of our promotional business card shown at right. We hope your pastor will mention and perhaps even promote this event in the coming weeks.

If you want some cards to pass out, or perhaps put them out at your place of business, send me email at arogers@ramonaprayer.org and  I'll get you as many cards as you want.

Here's Coach Pete's letter.
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Dear Pastor,

I wanted to invite you and your congregation to Ramona's 3rd Annual Evening of Prayer for our youth and this great nation. We want to invite all those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to come together for purpose of prayer.

Each year that I hold this event, I am reminded of the deaths of our young people. This year two high school graduates whom I knew, Jesus Sanchez and Ryan Morgan, died tragic deaths. I believe in prayer and that we as a town need to come together to pray. Our prayers go up as a sweet aroma and will make a huge difference. I believe the Lord is looking from heaven and for a people, who call on His Name, who humble themselves and pray then He will hear from heaven and heal the land.

During the Olympics of 1984, the people of Atlanta prayed before the Games and during the games there were no murders or terrorist events. It is a documented fact that the FBI broke up a terrorist cell that was planning an attack on the world stage.

As we move closer to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ the terrorist attack of Satan are stepping up. The prayer warriors of His Body in this town need to come together for one night of prayer to fight the battle on our knees.

For 13 years I've coached the mighty Ramona Bulldog wrestling team and this is a call to battle for Christian community.

God bless you with the rich overflowing love of Jesus Christ,

Coach Pete

Don't miss our THIRD annual EVENING OF PRAYER.

Music, singing, prayer, inspiring words and wonderful fellowship with your friends and neighbors.

Non-denominational... all believers are welcome!

Last year over 300 prayers gathered together in Ramona Oaks Park to celebrate and share an evening of Spirit-filled worship, praise and prayer. (Click here to see a slide show (opens new window).)

This year we'll gather again to launch a new school year by holding up our children and their teachers and larger school communities in prayer.

Come early... bring a blanket and picnic basket for dinner and share a great family-safe and Spirit-filled evening.

Don't miss this year's event. CLICK HERE to request the latest information about the Evening of Prayer.

Take time to pray!

Jesus often went into the mountains to pray. He wanted to follow the Father for His life and without a communion with Him, He couldn't know the Father's direction. Ramona's Evening of Prayer was birthed last year as I was in prayer. God gave me the thought to bring the community together to pray. As a wrestling coach, I have direct contact with the youth of our communtiy and saw how much they need our prayers. However I struggled with the idea. God wanted me to step out and invite the Body of Christ to pray. After wrestling with this thought for a few months, I did. I met a pastor in the community and he advised me how I should approach this. I listened to him. I kept praying and the Holy Spirit would tell me what to do. Last years turnout was fantastic. I look forward to this years event and hope all of you can come and pray with us.
God bless you,
Coach Pete

The Time is Now!

It is time we took back the youth of our country. Satan has been at work in their lives, but we can must take our stand on the prayer wall. I hope all of you who read this seriously consider coming together as the Body of Christ and coming to Ramona Oaks Park on Sept. 3rd. We need all prayer warriors to enter the battle and if you can't come on Sept. 3rd, please pray for our prayer movement in Ramona.
I know many people could be doing other things with their lives, but I believe our youth are in dire need of prayer, so I hope to see you there.
God bless you,
Coach Pete

Coach Pete Welcomes You

I hope that every Christian in Ramona and surrounding areas can join us for our evening of prayer on September 3rd at Ramona Oaks Park for the purpose of praying for our youth and our nation.

Time are tough for our youth. The enemy is pulling them in many directions, but we have the victory in Christ Jesus to take on and defeat the forces of darkness.

Our nation stands at a threshold and is in great need of prayer. Our leadership needs God's wisdom to face the growing economic challenges and the spiritual battle that seeks to destroy us as a nation.

I believe God is raising up an end-time army of young people to usher in the second coming of His Son, the Lord Jesus.