We are in the middle of what health and government officials have projected to be a couple of difficult and painful weeks in our country related to the coronavirus pandemic. In recent days, our nation has suffered some of the highest daily death tolls that we’ve seen from COVID-19. While reports from some states have suggested that new cases and hospitalizations are plateauing, the tragic loss of life from this pandemic indicates that there is more suffering and sorrow yet to come.

We are in the middle of what health and government officials have projected to be a couple of difficult and painful weeks in our country related to the coronavirus pandemic. In recent days, our nation has suffered some of the highest daily death tolls that we’ve seen from COVID-19. While reports from some states have suggested that new cases and hospitalizations are plateauing, the tragic loss of life from this pandemic indicates that there is more suffering and sorrow yet to come.

While we grieve over the sickness and sorrow that this disease has inflicted, the events of these days ultimately remind us that this world is not as it should be because it has been tarnished and tainted by sin resulting from the fall. While we continue to pray for God to heal our land physically, we must also ask the Lord to forgive our sin and heal us spiritually so revival and spiritual awakening will occur.

Would you please join me in praying for both spiritual and physical healing in our land as part of a special day of prayer on Tuesday, May 5? Will you invite others to join with us for this call to prayer?

Originally on this date, a group of approximately 200 pastors from our state and beyond had committed to gather together for a season of prayer on top of a mountain in western North Carolina near Hayesville. This gathering was birthed in the heart of the Rev. Fred Lunsford, a former pastor and director of missions who is still serving the Lord faithfully at age 95.

The current stay-at-home mandates and limits on public gatherings that have resulted from the coronavirus have not discouraged Lunsford. In fact, it has encouraged him to call even more people to fast and pray on May 5.

Now this special “Praying on the Mountain” event will occur with people joining Lunsford from wherever they’re located. On May 5, Lunsford will still be praying from the mountaintop that is located near his home. This mountaintop serves as a unique and special place for Lunsford to pray, and he has gone there many times through the years to meet with God.

I’ve known Fred Lunsford for several years and I have been blessed by reading wonderful stories contained in books that he has written which recount some of his experiences with God throughout his life.

Brother Fred, as he is affectionately known, has been praying for revival and spiritual awakening for years. What started with him being impressed of God to call 100 pastors to pray on May 5 has morphed into a commitment by thousands of believers to join with him in prayer on that day.

A special website has been developed for this event where you can learn more about Lunsford and this call to prayer. At this website, you can also register yourself, your family, your church or your organization to commit to pray on May 5. Please learn more and sign up by visiting www.mudcreekchurch.org/prayingonthemountain.

Through the years, I have presented you with many invitations to get involved in a number of ministry endeavors. More than anything that I have ever encouraged you to do, I’m asking you to please join me on Tuesday, May 5 at 10 a.m. in praying for revival and spiritual awakening in our land.

You are welcome to send me an email at [email protected] to let me know that you will join me in praying on this date. I hope you will invite others to participate as we lift our voices to God in confession and repentance of sin and renew our commitment to honor Him in obedience to His will for us.

“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” – Psalm 85:6 (NKJV)