Each year, Christian Education and Publications (CE&P) and Mission to North America (MNA) call the PCA to 50 days of prayer for General Assembly through a short devotional.

In this year’s devotional, The Gospel of the Kingdom, pastor Mike Ross explores four aspects of the Sermon on the Mount: kingdom character, kingdom ethics, kingdom piety, and kingdom values. The devotional begins on May 6, the National Day of Prayer, and ends on June 24, just prior to the 38th General Assembly.

Ross, pastor of Christ Covenant Church in Matthews, N.C., has written materials for the PCA's 50 Days of Prayer devotional since the inception of this denominational prayer ministry. This year concludes a three-year cycle in which Ross sets about to address concerns of different generations. Ross crafted this year’s devotional with the younger generation in mind.

“The issues raised by [this] generation are things such as mercy ministry, justice, and authentic religion,” Ross said. “The Sermon on the Mount gives us a very comprehensive view of the faith. A lot of the practical issues we struggle with are answered by Christ in the Sermon on the Mount.”

Each day of the devotional also includes a prayer request from one of the 10 PCA agencies and committees so that readers may join in prayer for the entire PCA in preparation for the 38th General Assembly.

Ross feels a particular burden to call others to prayer. “Developing a praying church may be the hardest thing to do. It takes persistence,” Ross said, pointing out that it can take years or even decades.

From Ross’ perspective, the 50 Days of Prayer devotionals provide the framework for people to build consistency into their prayer lives, which ultimately is what will help transform the culture. “We’re not going to see our nation change until people begin to pray.”

To order The Gospel of the Kingdom from CE&P, call (800) 283-1357 or send an email to bookstore@pcanet.org. Orders must be placed by April 3. The devotional will be available online at www.pca-mna.org by mid-April, for viewing and downloading.