California was 67th stop for "Pray Across Missouri"

On the south side of the Moniteau County courthouse in California, Dr. John Yeats, executive director of Missouri Baptists, speaks to those present at the "Pray Across Missouri" gathering about the problems in the world which need Chritians' prayer to God. He later led them in prayer. (Democrat photo / David A. Wilson)
On the south side of the Moniteau County courthouse in California, Dr. John Yeats, executive director of Missouri Baptists, speaks to those present at the "Pray Across Missouri" gathering about the problems in the world which need Chritians' prayer to God. He later led them in prayer. (Democrat photo / David A. Wilson)

Moniteau County was the 67th stop for the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) "Pray Across Missouri," in an event Oct. 5. The group from the MBC and others, including area and local pastors and the Concord Baptist Association, gathered on the south side of the courthouse in California to offer up prayers.

John Yeats, MBC executive director, spoke about all the problems and issues negatively affecting Christians and non-Christians of the world. He said there are some things, which can be expected from a Christian.

It says in II Timothy 1:1-2: "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."

Some of the expectations of petitions, prayer, and intercession are to bring peace. As it says, in the next verses: "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

Following this, Yeats and four other pastors offered up prayers for a variety of the different problems affecting all people, whether Christian or not.

Some of those problems brought up included some of the events which had happened in the past week, such as the terrorist murders in Marseille, France; Paris, France; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; and the recent murderous mayhem in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Also brought up were the sex trafficking problems, the problem of drug usage and the variety of different problems, which need God's intervention.

The other four pastors offering prayers before God and the group were: the Rev. Jeremy Anderson, California First Baptist Church; the Rev. Jeremy Barnard, Lebanon Baptist Church; the Rev. Mauricio Vargas, Concord Baptist Association and interim pastor of Enon Baptist Church; and the Rev. Clyde Leonard, interim pastor of California Main Street Baptist Church.

Moniteau County was the fourth county visited Oct. 5. Additional "Pray Across Missouri" visits were held Oct. 10 in St. Charles and Warren counties.

"Pray Across Missouri" is a cooperative initiative among Missouri Baptists to hold prayer meetings in each of the state's 114 county seats in 2017-18. Working together, the MBC, the state's directors of missions and Missouri Baptist pastors are seeking to organize 45-minute prayer meetings at every county court house.