Prayer Request From Some Priesthood Members

December 1, 2005

Dear Pastor,

For the past five months we have met together as a group of friends and priesthood members to pray and discuss our lives and the condition of the church. Like many others, we have found that we have a common desire for healing within the body. Our passion is similar to what Nephi expressed; “For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry; and I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers, for the gain of my people”. The Restoration Branches in their divided and fractured state are not the vehicle designed by God to bring forth Zion. We will continue to fragment and drift apart as long as we do not have a unified vision. We recognize that the church was established upon the concept of seeking the will of the Lord when we lack wisdom as referred to in James 1:5. The very fact that so many people in today’s church claim to know what is best for the body, each with a different idea, indicates that, as a whole, we do “lack wisdom”.

We feel strongly that if those who call themselves part of the Lord’s church will humble themselves and pray (II Chronicles 7:14), that the Lord will assist the church in this time of confusion. We do not claim to have the answers. We do, however, recognize within the church there is confusion. Because of this, we desire for the entire Restoration to come together with the single purpose of seeking God’s will. We hope that together we can find wisdom from God and that this wisdom will unify the saints and that division among us will cease.

The basic premise is very simple, we would like for the Restoration Branches to set apart six months, from March through August, as a period of prayer and fasting to discern the Lord’s plan for healing His church. Like you, we are concerned about the many voices that are crying out for the people to follow them. We would like for all the saints to feel part of petitioning the Lord for direction. In this way, when the Lord answers, we will be united in our response to His call to serve Him.

In order for this activity to be fully successful, it will be important for all the branches that can to set aside the second Sunday morning of each month as a service of prayer and fasting. In this way we can be unified for at least one day out of the month for this purpose. The service should be directed towards repentance and seeking the will of our Heavenly Father.

Hopefully, this monthly service will not be the only time the branches address this need for supplication. We would desire that each branch seek out other ways to incorporate this striving for God’s will, including priesthood visiting themes, Sunday school classes or sermon topics.

We would like to create an atmosphere among the branches where each branch feels part of a larger effort. We would like for the branches that join together in their fasting services to further encourage this feeling of unity among the body of Christ.

Please contact us if you have any questions about this initiative. We thank you for your prayerful consideration and for your help in encouraging the body to turn their hearts toward God. We fully believe the Lord will hear us as we cry to Him for help.

Your Brothers in Christ,

Aaron Smith Nathan Smith	David Gilmore Aaron Rhoads	Aaron Bailey Chris Morris	Jeff Anger