Grand Forks Wesley UMC in Grand Forks, North Dakota began a breakthrough prayer initiative with a Lenten Prayer Challenge. Folks were asked to pray at three specific times throughout the day. In the midst of that, prayer cards were added to the pews. The prayer cards encouraged people  to make private prayer requests if they had things they wanted others to pray for that they might have been uncomfortable asking for during prayer time.

The third phase of Wesley UMC's breakthrough prayer initiative began on May 3 when every member of the congregation received a prayer card that included a scripture from Psalm 7:17, "I will give to the Lord the thanks due his righteousness, and sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High." On the back of the card are several petitions based on the Lord's Prayer.

"We have asked every member of the church to pray using the prayer card at 7:17 each day. We used the video in service that day to kick off this breakthrough prayer initiative," said Rev. Howie Baird.

riding for prayer from Howard Baird on Vimeo.

Baird stated, "Perhaps my favorite part has been hearing from members who have run into friends from other churches who were told that they had prayed for Wesley that Sunday!"

"I think breakthrough prayer at Wesley has energized us in a way that we haven't felt for years. There is an excitement that I can only describe as Spirit fueled. It seems almost daily folks are calling, or e-mailing, or stopping by the office to share there thoughts, and dreams, and ideas, some of which are even starting to take shape," described Pastor Baird. "I have no doubt that May 3, 2015 will be remembered as the day the Spirit broke through at Wesley UMC!"