450 Participate in 18-hour Prayer-A-Thon

Story by Bryant Smith

The Allegheny West Conference (AWC) president, administrative officials, pastors and laity recently created havoc in Satan’s camp as 450 individuals of all ages participated in a nonstop Prayer-A-Thon. Ellen White, cofounder of the Adventist church, writes, “Satan trembles and flees before the weakest soul who finds refuge in that mighty name” (The Desire of Ages, p. 130).

An average of 25 participants per hour joined the event via a teleconference call. Prayers ascended for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the sick, the abused, for strongholds to be broken and for souls to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ. Individuals from as far away as California and Florida joined with the many in Ohio and Virginia to experience this Prayer-A-Thon. Multicultural sisters and brothers petitioned the throne of grace in their own language. One member observed, “Even though I could not speak the language, I understood the prayer! I knew the language of prayer!”

One 10-year-old Hispanic boy poured out his heart to God during the 9-9:30 p.m. half-hour prayer session, petitioning for the sick and for family members. William T. Cox Sr., conference president, stayed connected with the Prayer-A-Thon from 7:30 a.m. to midnight. Violet Cox, AWC’s prayer coordinator, says, “This is just the beginning of the many Prayer-A-Thon experiences in AWC until Jesus returns!”