This is really good!
I am reviwing it in June 2021. It’s really good!
The testimonials below are from men and women that Don Harrington (my prayer partner) and I pray with nearly every week.
These testimonials have been kept nearly word-for-word what they wrote. I merely made the format the same as the first testimonial received, for consistency. My direction to each of them was as simple as: “I’m writing an article on Conference Call Praying. Can you email me a testimonial?”
These men and women range from pastors to retired laymen to currently employed corporate employees.
Then these testimonials were placed in the order received.
The Testimonials:
Praying with other pastors is a powerful experience, and we servants of God are called to be individuals who pray. Every one of us recognizes the importance of prayer not only for our congregations, but also for one another. Here is the problem. Not always is it possible to find a way to gather in a single place to make that happen.
Logistically that was almost impossible to do; that is unless you dial into the 2 pm pre-arranged prayer conference call that happens every Wednesday at 2 pm started and sponsored by Common Thread Ministries, and hosted by Mark Mirza. Pastors from wherever Mark has ministered get to pray together over the telephone.
I’ve prayed with pastors that most likely I will never meet face to face. We’ve prayed for our churches sure, but also for each other. It is wonderful to hear a brother in Christ who you’ve never met lift up your family or your church in prayer. There is a common bond that takes place, and when some pastoral duty prevents me from participating I miss out on the “Divine dynamic” that happens among us. Sometimes we pray together for just a few minutes. At other times it’s longer depending on how many have connected, but regardless of how long we pray there is always God’s presence with us. I love every time I get to join others in prayer because I believe prayer is the catalyst that allows God to put into motion His will for our lives and those He has entrusted into our hands. Thanks Mark for using the technology that is available to expand our circles of prayer to other pastors we may never meet this side of Glory.
– Warren Was Senior pastor, Luxomni Baptist Church, Lilburn, Georgia
As Pastor Mark frequently states each prayer call is different; l can personally attest to that statement. I’ve only been acquainted with these prayer conference calls since January 1, 2017. I am a person who loves prayer BUT these prayer calls have opened up so many grand opportunities for me to pray with and personally get to know more of my Christian family. It is one thing to say your prayers alone, but to be given the opportunity to pray with and for others is wonderful. The Bible gives us reason to pray with one another:
Mathew 18:19 (NET) “Again, I tell you the truth, if two of you on earth agree about whatever you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.”
Although there are times that we come together petitioning Him, there are times that we are only giving God all of the praise that is due Him, and on what I consider really special calls, we find ourselves in awe and stillness, completely quiet before the Lord. Although we may be miles apart, God in His Almighty way pulls us close together and allows us to enjoy His Sweet Presence. You never know what the next call will be like, BUT you always know that God is there!
– Phyllis Perry
I have found conference call praying very beneficial in my daily walk with Jesus. It gives me an opportunity to pray with other Pastors and hear their concerns.
– Chuck Yzenski Senior pastor, Lovely Grove Baptist Church, Eastman, Georgia
Though I don’t make it every week, the Pastor’s Prayer time conference call helps me to “rest in the Lord.” The few minutes we spend together praying helps me to slow down and to calm down. This time together with other pastor’s is a great time of encouragement and blessing for me. It is an honor to pray for my brothers and humbling when they pray for me.
– Jim Pitt Senior pastor, Morven Baptist Church, Morven, Georgia
Conference Call prayer with brother Mark and other godly believers has been a real blessing for us. The most encouraging aspect of this kind of prayer is to know that other believers are interceding on our behalf for our walk with the Lord, our family, our ministry, and our church. To have dedicated and devoted prayer warriors lifting up your hands before the throne of God to praise Him and to help deliver your pleas and petitions is priceless. We look forward to our conference call prayer time each and every week!
– Pastor Todd and Mistie Coble, Senior pastor and wife, Covenant Baptist Church, Braseton, Georgia
I never knew how important it is to pray with others until I started the corporate prayer calls through Mark and Common Threads Ministry. I started calling in with my church for 15 minutes once a week. This call really helped me. It was on Mondays so it helped set up my week and I looked forward to the call. Mark told me about a men only call he did 3 times a week and asked me to join when I felt comfortable. I was a bit apprehensive knowing the call was 30 minutes in length. At first I was a little intimidated, but after a few calls, I began to pray. This call has become a habit and I look forward to every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It is an honor and a blessing to pray with these men, praise God and pray for ministries while lifting up our families and praying for each other. Corporate prayer calls are food for my soul
– Derrick Lewis
It is such a blessing to be on the weekly prayer calls with Brother Mark Mirza and Brother Don Harrington. As I pray with my brothers in Christ, I am reminded sometimes of James 5:16. This verse says, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” It is such a blessing to be on the weekly prayer calls with Brother Mark Mirza and Brother Don Harrington. As I pray with my brothers in Christ, I am reminded sometimes of James 5:16. This verse says, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
Confessing our faults as sinners “one to another” and praying “one for another” is commanded here in James 5:16. Why should we pray in this way? “That ye may be healed.” After praying in this way is when I feel “healed” and know God is near and present. Healing also means restore, rebuild, make well and reconcile. I feel those things, and it is because of prayer and through prayer reaching the throne of our Savior and King. The reason I know that our prayer reaches the throne of our Heavenly Father is because of his Son, Jesus Christ. Accepting Jesus as Savior means that his righteousness is imputed to all who accept Jesus as Savior. That means that the “fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” AMEN!!! What truth! I believe this because God’s Word says it!
My wife lost her stepfather this past March. It was a difficult time for my wife and her mother. My wife’s biological father died when she was a baby. The only father figure she had growing up was her stepfather. My wife, her mother and our family went through a very difficult time. I shared this burden with Brother Mark and Brother Don. It was such a blessing to listen to Brother Mark’s and Brother Don’s prayers as they lifted up my wife and mother-in-law in prayer.
God was able to use Brother Mark’s ministry in a very unique way to minister to family when we lost my wife’s stepfather. My daughter, Briley, won an essay contest that led to a bill being passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Deal on Monday, May 8th. It so happened that my family and I were driving up to the capital in Atlanta during the time of my church’s weekly prayer call with Brother Mark and Brother Don. Well, you know with all this automotive technology, I was able to connect the prayer call on my cell phone through the speakers in our Tahoe while traveling to Atlanta. My whole family could hear the prayer call. That was cool! My mother-in-law was also with us in the Tahoe driving up for the bill signing ceremony. My wife and her mother received such a blessing listening to Brother Mark and Brother Don lift them up in prayer. I remember Brother Mark telling my mother-in-law, over those loud speakers in our Tahoe, “Faye, I want you to know that we have been praying for you” and then she listened to Brother Mark, Brother Don and I pray for her and my family. My mother-in-law was excited about seeing her granddaughter’s bill get signed by the Governor that day but that prayer call touched her more than the bill signing ceremony.
She will always remember these two strangers she has never met praying for her through our Tahoe’s speaker system while driving on I-16 to Atlanta, Georgia on a Monday morning in May. Wow! What a blessing my wife and mother-in-law received that day!
– Brandon L. Braddy, Mount Vernon Georgia
Partnering with Common Ground Ministries and Mark Mirza was one of the best decisions we have made for our ministry Spiritual Innovations and my family the past 2 years. To have regular, faithful and passionate prayer going on has proven to be not only incredibly encouraging, but powerful and effective for all we have been given to do for the Lord.
Writing it reminded me how incredibly GRATEFUL we are to have this opportunity & what a tremendous impact it has had on us and our ministry. 🙂
– Bryan Davidson, Spiritual Innovations Ministry, Roswell Georgia
We are deeply grateful for the prayer ministry of Mark Mirza and his team. These consistent weekly prayer calls are a lifeblood for our lives, family and the ministry of Spiritual Innovations. It means more than words to have this covering and under-girding in the midst of serving on the front lines. We have seen God move mightily as a direct result of these prayer times!
– Amber Davidson, Spiritual Innovations Ministry, Roswell Georgia
Mark and Don have been meeting with me on Monday mornings for prayer for a couple of years, no charge! I’m humbled with their kind and genuine interest. And my life is strengthened by the intercession. I’m not an expert with prayer. Sometimes I get a bit lazy, which I think is part of the strategy of the Enemy. This helps me set priorities for the week. We talk with the Father about stuff in my church, and in my life. Some of it is a bit messy. And a few things I don’t tell these guys about, but wait and share alone with God. Still, they’ve helped to prime the pump. I’m very grateful to be mentored in prayer in such a neat way.
– David Lyle, Senior pastor, Mt. Tabor Baptist Church, Duluth, Georgia
Each Wednesday, at 11 in the morning, Mark Mirza and his team spend time praying for my church, First Baptist of Pembroke, Georgia. I join them whenever I am available at that time, as does one dear lady in my church. It is one of the best fifteen minute periods of my week. Even when I am not able to join the conference call, I know that someone is praying for us. Each Wednesday, at 11 in the morning, Mark Mirza and his team spend time praying for my church, First Baptist of Pembroke, Georgia. I join them whenever I am available at that time, as does one dear lady in my church. It is one of the best fifteen minute periods of my week. Even when I am not able to join the conference call, I know that someone is praying for us.
Then at 2 pm on Wednesdays, a small group of pastors from across the state join with Mark and his team for another time of prayer. Again, it is often the highlight of my week as I pray along with brothers in Christ, many of whom I’ve never met.
I would encourage you to join us each Wednesday afternoon for this prayer time. It will make a great impact on your life. I know it has mine.
– Brad Butler, Senior pastor, First Baptist Church of Pembroke, Georgia
I can’t wait till 8:15 every Thursday, our scheduled weekly time.
Praying together, sharing together, and lifting our hearts to God has made my walk with the Lord one of peace, understanding, and filled with joy. On the call, it feels as if we are gathered together, even though we are physically hours apart.
Consistently we praise the Lord, pray for our families, pray for each other, and then our church. This praying together has answered one question for me. Does God answer prayer? YES!
Thank you Mark for your guidance, perseverance, and commitment to our time each week.
– Reid Oates, Metter Georgia
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