We’re continuing our series, The Prayer List, by adding another name this week– James Fortune.

Along with his group, FIYA, James Fortune has reached chart-topping success in sales and radio, spurred by some pretty successful singles– “You Survived,” “I Trust You,” “Encore,” and most recently, “I Believe.”  As he continues to grow in the industry, I think we should support him in prayer.  Cool?

God, You have known the path that You would lead James Fortune on since before he was born. And because of that, You are in total control. Thank You for being so attentive to Your children, for Your grace, for Your guidance…

I pray that You would be a strong guiding force for James, now, as he continues to venture into new areas of success, as he grows in business and in ministry. I pray that anything that hangs on that doesn’t please You would be knocked away from him, and that those people who You have called to support him would be capable, willing and ready.

Lord,  I ask that You speak clearly and directly to James’ heart on the issues that he brings to you. And even on those issues that he doesn’t know to bring to You, I pray that Your Holy Spirit would nudge and guide him.

Father, bless James Fortune and his family, especially his wife, Cheryl. I pray that You would continue strengthen their union and continue to make their one-ness complete.

I pray that You would continue to equip James with all the things he’ll need to bring You glory– not just practically, but spiritually and emotionally. Touch him, cover him and keep him, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Okay, saints and friends… post your prayers for James Fortune in the comment section, ok?  Let’s make it a real community experience of supporting our gospel industry.  Thanks.

We’re keeping our weekly series, The Prayer List, moving with our latest addition– Israel Houghton.

We ALL know Israel’s music and ministry, and we have been beneficiaries of all that the Lord has done in, with and through him.  As such, let’s reciprocate that blessing and lift him up in prayer.

Lord, I am grateful for the music ministry of Israel Houghton.  Thank You for who You created him to be, all of the gifts You’ve invested in him and all of the opportunities You’ve created for him, for Your glory.

Father, I pray that You will continue to prepare Israel right now.  Prepare him for the things that are about to come in his life– both good and bad.  Prepare him, spiritually– so that he can be nourished by Your Word (which will be his anchor) and that it will be a firm foundation for him when tests come.  Prepare him, Lord, for the areas that You’re planning to take him.  Help him, in the midst of busy schedules and fast-paced moves, to be at peace and to find rest in You.

Father, bless Israel’s family to be a great support system for him. Protect them so that, even as he travels and ministers, they are covered by You.

God, chisel away at Israel’s heart, so that the music that he sings and the message that he shares would be Spirit-led and God-glorifying, for the edification of Your Body.  Continue to drench him melodies that You give, lyrics that You pen and ideas that You have designed.  In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Okay, folks– join me in prayer for our brother, Israel Houghton, by posting your prayers HERE, in the comment section!

Hey people– just a quick reminder to keep your prayers coming for Gerard Bonner, host of Bonnerfide Radio.  We added him to The Prayer List on Monday.

Click here to read the initial post and to see the prayers that have already been offered (yessuh!) in Jesus’ Name.

And pray with us!!!

We’re still rolling with our weekly series– The Prayer List– in which we pray for one member of the gospel community each week.

This week, I’m adding Gerard Bonner to The Prayer List.

As one of the co-founders of GospelFlava.com, you’ve probably read dozens of Gerard’s articles and reviews, as well as benefitted from his photography skills for a decade. But, for nearly a year now, the gospel community has also been blessed BIG time by his innovative internet radio show– Bonnerfide Radio.

Gerard Bonner has gained the recognition and support of artists, labels and consumers alike. He was nominated for Internet Radio Show of the Year at the 2010 Stellar Awards and was recently awarded Internet Radio Station of the Year at GMWA’s Crystal Mic Media Awards.

But the enemy is mad. In January during Stellar Awards weekend, after throwing a landmark launch party that is STILL being talked about, Gerard and two associates were in a collision with an 18-wheeler, totaling the car he was in.  They all walked away bruised, but alright. Then, this past week, his tire blew out on the highway en route to Bobby Jones Gospel tapings– again, safe and spared from a MAJOR accident that happened just a mile ahead of him, around the time he would have arrived there, had his tire not blown out.

All that to say– we’ve gotta lift up our brother.

Father, thank You for the life, gifts and calling of Gerard Bonner.  Thank You for orchestrating so many aspects of his life– the good and the bad– to be for his ultimate well-being, and Your ultimate glory.  Thank You for being faithful to him, even in times when it felt like You were missing in action.  Thank You for having more plans for Gerard than he could have dreamt for himself.

Lord, I pray for protection for Gerard.  I pray for physical protection, but also for spiritual protection and emotional protection.  I pray that all of the things You’ve placed in him would be guarded for Your glory.  I pray that he would dive deeper into relationship with You, pursuing You more, craving time with You more.  And I pray that when he comes to You, that You would hide him in the safety of Your wings.  God, please cover him.

God, thank You for Gerard’s humility and his passion for the gospel music industry.  Thank You for his heart of servanthood.  I pray that it would grow even larger.  I  pray that Your Kingdom would be blessed by this one man, that testimonies will continue to be told of Your goodness and Your grace, and how his trusting in You was rewarded openly.

Father, expand the reach of Gerard Bonner.  Let his faithful devotion to You be announced and noticed.  Let opportunities open up for him and shut doors that he ought not enter.  Surround him with people who are good for him, not opportunists looking to latch on to his calling.  Help him to have brothers and sisters in Christ who will challenge, edify and hold him accountable.

Finally, Lord, bless his daughter and bless him as father, to model the fathering that You do for Your children every day.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Okay, fam… let’s hear what you’re asking God for as it relates to our brother, Gerard Bonner.  Post your prayers in the comment section!

We’re continuing our weekly series, The Prayer List, in which we pray for one industry person each week– contributing back, through prayer, all that they give to us.  This week, I’m adding the incomparable CeCe Winans to The Prayer List.

I was listening to her Throne Room album this weekend, spending some time with God, and I thought “she’s given the gospel community so much… sacrificed SO much… been pulled on SOOOOO much” because of the calling on her life, because of the anointing she carries, because of her willingness to say “yes” to all of this.  Shouldn’t we go to God on her behalf, even if for just a few words, to say “God, her ministry has blessed me– can You bless her in return?”

Ok, let’s jump to it…

Lord, I thank You for ministry that You’ve given CeCe Winans.  Thank You for her gifts and talents, but thank You, also, for her heart.  Thank You for allowing CeCe to be a role model for so many women and young girls– to be full of virtue, beauty, humility and compassion.  Thank You for the reputation that You have allowed her to have– both in the gospel/Christian music world and far, far beyond– a reputation of grace, of holiness… thank You for allowing her to walk into a room and have a Godly presence, one that has to be recognized.

Thank You for still making ambassadors like CeCe Winans.

Father, I pray that You will continue to pour into her.  Allow her to delve deeper into new areas of her relationship with You.  Not just for our sake– as we’ll certainly reap the benefits of greater music– but simply for CeCe’s sake, Lord.  For her sake, and for Your glory, pay attention to Your daughter.  Still her in areas of busyness and anxiety.  Calm circumstances around her that would serve to distract her.  Give her a quiet confidence, peace and clarity.

Lord, please continue to bless her marriage to Alvin Love.  Thank You for providing such an awesome example of a Godly marriage– a lasting marriage.  Please continue to reveal areas of greater ministry for each of them, individually and as a unit, that will bless Your people.  And continue to bless their children to be great vessels for Your glory.  Please honor their commitment to You by using them in great ways.

Father, where CeCe grows weary, give her strength.  Where she doubts, give her confidence.  As she continues to broaden the scope of her ministry, pursuing new ventures and fulfilling new dreams, please be her guide.  Please make paths straight, opening doors through which she ought to walk, shutting quickly and permanently any doors that are not a part of Your plan.  And bless her.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Okay, fam.  Let’s hear what You’ve got to say to God on CeCe’s behalf…

Post your prayers in the comment section!

From the family and friends of Walter Hawkins, to Shawn McLemore and Darwin Hobbs, there have been PLENTY of folks to pray for lately.

Today, we’re back with another addition to The Prayer List at GospelPundit.com– this week, I’m adding Jacky Clark Chisholm.

Nothing’s wrong, that I know of– this is just what we do!

As one of the eldest members of the famed Clark Sisters, Jacky is known for her smooth and subtle tone, and as the spokesperson for the female gospel group.  She does a lot beyond the group, as well, and I think we need to edify her through prayer.  Join me, fam?

Father, thank You for the life of Jacky Clark Chisholm.  Thank You for her heart of servanthood, for her humility and for her grace.  Thank You for equipping her with every good gift that she would need to fulfill Your purposes, and to glorify You through her life.

Lord, I pray for peace in her life.  I pray that Your peace, that surpasses all understanding, would guard Jacky’s heart and mind through Christ Jesus.  I pray that she wouldn’t be anxious for anything, but that she would rest in You for all things.  I pray that You would guide her with wisdom and clarity as it relates to any decisions she needs to make.  I pray that she continues to trust in You as her anchor.

God, continue to anoint Jacky for ministry, whether it’s on stage, in her church, or in her day-to-day life.  Please continue to reveal aspects of her being, as You created it, that will be used for bigger and greater things for Your Kingdom.  Shower blessings of love down on her in a way that’s almost tangible.

Father, bless Jacky’s family– from her husband and children to her siblings and extended family.  Draw them even closer to one another, that You would be glorified by their testimonies and be exalted.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Okay, folks… post your prayers here, in the comment section!

Folks, PRAY for Darwin Hobbs– he was rushed to the hospital last night and was diagnosed with blood clots in both of his lungs, an incredibly serious condition.

Darwin was en route to Indiana last night for a performance, but was experiencing severe shortness of breath, so made a detour to the hospital.  He will remain in the hospital for at least 4 days, waiting for the clots to dissolve.

Despite this, Darwin is boldly declaring his healing.  Through texts back and forth this morning, he asked me to “thank everyone for prayers and calls and emails.”  He asks that you pray that the clots dissolve and rebuke the spirit of death and fear.

Please pray, also, for his wife, Traci.

Let’s do it, fam!

Don’t forget that we’re praying for Myron Butler all week as part of our weekly series, The Prayer List.

Click here for the initial write-up and to see some of the prayers that have already gone out and up for our bro in ministry!

This prayer train is still rollin’ and I’m ready to add a new addition to GospelPundit.com’s weekly series, The Prayer List.

This week, we’re praying for Myron Butler.

Myron gained national exposure and attention over a decade ago, through his songwriting/lead vocals on the history-making God’s Property album with Kirk Franklin.  Since then, however, the Lord has established Myron has a frontman in his own right, having released three albums with his group, Levi (the most recent of which, Revealed… Live In Dallas, hit stores in March of this year).

More than a gifted singer/songwriter, he’s a husband and father.  He’s a super humble guy with a fun personality and big ol’ heart.  Let’s lift him up in prayer, family.  Cool?

Lord, thank You for the life and ministry of Myron Butler.  Thank You for gifting him in so many ways, and thank You for giving him a heart to serve You and to worship You with his life.

I pray, Father, that You will accept Myron’s sacrifice of praise and worship, that it would please You and bring You glory.  I pray that You will grant Myron divine wisdom in all areas of his life– as a husband, as a father, as a leader of his group… I pray for clarity of thought and boldness to believe in all that You are able (and faithful) to perform in his life, and in the lives of those surrounding him.

Lord, please bless Myron with patience– in a natural and spiritual sense.  And allow him to rest in You… to rest in all that You’ve promised and revealed to him.  Help his unbelief, in whatever areas You may find it, God… And help him to never grow anxious as he waits for all that You have in store for him.  Encourage Myron’s heart, Lord.  Hear every prayer and let him know that You are always with him.

I pray that you would spark in him a new hunger for You, for Your Word, for Your character… I pray that Myron would continue to marvel at Your beauty, God, and that he would fall more deeply in love with You with each passing day.

Father, I pray that, as a result of his love for You, he would gain greater understanding of You and, in turn, impart that into Your people through his ministry.  I pray that You would give him all that he’ll need to do Your great work on this Earth.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Okay, post your prayers for Myron Butler in the comment section!

We’re moving full steam ahead with The Prayer List, the series in which we lift up one brother or sister within the gospel community each week.  We’re ALL responsible for the well-being of this industry.

This week, I’m adding Pastor Jason Nelson.  As many of you know, Jason Nelson is an incredible vocalist and pastor of Greater Bethlehem Temple in Maryland.  He’s also a father and husband, and he’s the twin brother of gospel artist Jonathan Nelson.

Father, thank You for the life of Pastor Jason Nelson. Thank You for all that You’ve called him to do and be for Your Kingdom on Earth. Thank You for his role as a husband, father, pastor, singer and more.  I ask that You give him strength to do all of the things he’s got to do– daily– and that, in doing so, You would compel him to trust You fully, submit to You fully and rely on You fully.

Lord, I pray that You would shield Jason from any insecurities, fears and anxieties that would creep into his mental space. I pray that You would always remind him of his value in You, and for Your glory.

Father, please surround Jason Nelson with people that will be for him– not for his gifts and talents, nor for his roles and positions, but because they see all that You’ve called him to be and because they, selflessly, desire to serve You by supporting him.

Finally, God, please open new doors of opportunities for him, his family and his congregation. Protect him as You lead him into new areas– keep him humbly focused on Your glory and give him the grace, discernment and wisdom for any decisions he’ll need to make.  In Jesus’ Name, I ask You. Amen.

Okay, fam.  Let’s go!  Post your prayers in the comment section, cool???