By Ashlee Johnson

“Prayer is the exercise of drawing on the grace of God.” – Oswald Chambers

On Tuesday evening, August 15, our community has an incredible opportunity to draw upon the grace of God together as we pray for our town.  Men, women, and children are invited to join us on the lawn of Kernersville Elementary for our 2nd Annual IF:Pray event from 7:00-8:00pm.  

This year we will focus on praying for our first responders, local government and business leaders, churches, and schools. Each one of these entities plays a vital role in the health and flourishing of Kernersville. What a privilege we have to draw upon the supernatural and unending resources of our loving Father on their behalf!

Last August at IF:Pray, 160 people gathered as we interceded for our area schools.  Attendees included Mayor Dawn Morgan, WSFCS Superintendent Tricia McManus, WSFCS Board Members Dana Jones and Alex Bohanan, a large contingent of WSFCS Resource Officers, many area principals, and several local pastors.  A plethora of teachers as well as local business leaders were also in attendance and a myriad of churches were represented. We joined together as parents and grandparents, aunts, uncles, children, and concerned citizens to seek God’s protection, provision, and blessing.  

This yearly event is sponsored by IF:Kernersville. We exist to propel women forward in their relationship with Christ and host a yearly conference full of dynamic worship, teaching, prayer, and fellowship, as well as a few other events throughout the year.  Our heart for the community as a whole, however, led us to inviting men and children to participate as well.

While we are gathered for IF:Pray on August 15 you can expect a lovely evening of brief worship led by Crystal Rouse and a directed prayer time for each of the groups listed above based on a Scripture read by a representative from our first responders, local leaders, pastors, and principals.

Though the needs in our community are great, the shoulders of our God are broad enough to bear them.  We can easily feel overwhelmed by the complexities of the challenges we face as a community, but let’s not forget that Jesus Christ upholds the universe by the word of his power (Hebrews 1:3).  He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End (Revelation 22:13).  God is able to meet all of our needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).  The Lord is our refuge and ever-present help (Psalm 46:1) whose unbridled power is wielded on behalf of his people.  

Help us spread the word, let’s trust the Lord for wonderful weather, and bring the whole family with lawn chairs or blankets.  Joy Parrish and her ice cream truck will be present for a sweet treat and some fellowship after we pray.   

Come on, Kernersville, let’s not leave a drop of grace on the table that could be ours for the taking.  You will NOT want to miss this powerful evening as we seek the Lord together!

IF:Kernersville team leaders: Ashlee Johnson, Peggy Robbins, Kathy Lambe, Charlotte Williams and Diane Hatfield