Passing the "Torch" of Prayer in Arizona

Aimee Herd : Mar 5, 2008
Debbie Fritch – LitetheFire.org

As Arizona is bathed in prayer by, so far over 35 churches and ministries, a plot to wreak havoc in the form of a massacre at last month's Super Bowl was averted at the last minute when the gunman had a "change of heart." Conicidence? …or God's divine intervention?

(Arizona, USA)—A ministry known as Lite the Fire is heading up an initiative to cover the state of Arizona in prayer, continuously, throughout 2008, in hopes of raising up and establishing long-term 24-7 houses of prayer.

The current count of churches and ministries involved in AZ Pray is over 35. A statement on the Lite the Fire website reads:

Lite the Fire is a group of nameless, faceless, sold out lovers of Jesus, who are committed to seeing 24-7 houses of prayer and worship established in Jerusalem (Phoenix), Judea (Arizona), Samaria and the utter most ends of the earth (Where ever God chooses).

The passion and the vision is to see the fire for 24-7 houses of prayer get ignited and then pass from place to place until there is non-stop prayer covering a region... 24-7-365. Continuous prayer and worship that will usher in the presence of God, see revival come, and transform people and cities for the glory of God.

Lite the Fire founder, Debbie Fritch, explains the vision of AZ Pray… "We started praying at midnight Dec 31st and we rolled into January 1st and have been praying non-stop since then. (Photo: Debbie Fritch-LitetheFire.org)

"The 'Torch' of non-stop prayer has been traveling around the state since then. It has been to Tucson, Yuma and St. John's, and is currently on the campus of Arizona State University. We even had Family Life Radio take a week. It truly has been amazing and something only the Lord could do!

"There is such a sense of unity among the churches and ministries that have participated. Every Friday night at 7pm we have what we call the 'Passing of the Torch' and the church or ministry that has had the prayer for the prior week goes to the location that is taking it for the next week, much like a relay race. The church passes the torch, shares testimonies and then they pray for the receiving church and, in turn, pray for the passing church. That alone is very powerful, churches that would never normally have had any contact are coming together and praying for one another to see the advancement of the Kingdom."

Recently, in a dramatic answer to prayers for safety during last month's Super Bowl in the University of Phoenix stadium, an eerie plot to open fire on the crowd with an assault rifle was uncovered.

According to an article on the East Valley Tribune website, 35-year-old Kurt William Havelock, had recently been denied a liquor license for his restaurant and bar, and decided to take out his frustration on innocent fans at the Super Bowl.

Reportedly it was a "change of heart" that kept Havelock from "unloading 200 rounds of ammunition on the crowd" that day. CLICK HERE to read that story.

Proverbs 21:1 says, "The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes." I submit that it was the Lord who changed his heart, perhaps in direct answer to the constant prayer that had already begun to permeate the area, through the warriors on their knees.

I hope this account will encourage many, as it has encouraged me, to "not be weary in well doing" and to continue steadfastly in prayer, as the Lord leads. Especially in this year as many changes come into view, may many houses of prayer be raised up, and Christians—from all backgrounds—stand united in intercession for America.

To find out more about Lite the Fire and AZ Pray, follow the link provided.