4 Practical Ways You Can Pray for Appalachian Believers
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Picture a place that is surrounded by mountains. The roads are narrow, and a curve meets you at every mile. Downtown is one street that has only a handful of businesses still open. The grocery store has five aisles and no clothing department. Homes are located on the top and sides of these mountains. Vehicles include cars, trucks, and ATVs. Every few days you will hear the horn blow warning you there is a train coming around the mountain. Waterfalls and wildlife are abundant.
This is a picture of my town. I live in a little coal town in Southern West Virginia. My husband is the pastor of a small Southern Baptist church that has been in operation for over 100 years. Life here is slow, to say the least. The people are skeptical of outsiders but warm up to you quickly. Fortunately for us native North Carolinians, the warming-up period was short-lived.
In our short time in West Virginia, we have observed how forgotten the people here are. Churches are on every corner, but most are closed. Denominations and sub-denominations are not unusual occurrences. At the heart of all this is a need to remember the people of the Appalachian Mountains.
A Snippet of Appalachian History
The Appalachian Mountains are a beautiful, diverse, and rugged place. During the time spanning from 1680 to 1815, 100,000 Ulster Scots migrated across the ocean to America. During the Revolutionary War, these numbers lessened. The Appalachian Mountains became settled when Scotch-Irish immigrants were forced to look for land in other places because of overcrowding.
Specifically in West Virginia, coal mining became a big business. The steel industry was booming and people like J.P. Morgan and Andrew Carnegie were making millions from the coal coming out of these mountains. People from all walks of life and every place on earth were coming here to mine for coal.
These mountains span 205,000 square miles. They can be admired in states as far north as New York and as far south as Mississippi. They meander through all of West Virginia and parts of North Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee, and South Carolina. There are 420 counties and over 25 million people who call these mountains home.
The Struggles Appalachian People Face
An understanding of the Appalachian Mountains is essential to its sustainability and growth. They are facing issues that most of America have not and will not face to this extreme. The following list is just scratching the surface.
1. Due to the geography of this region, there are many little towns or “hollers.” People are not connected easily as technology is not as prevalent here.
2. Unemployment is prevalent due to a breakdown of infrastructure. According to the Appalachian Regional Commission, the 3-year average unemployment rate is 5.4%. Jobs are just not available unless you are willing to drive 45 minutes to an hour from your home.
3. The average poverty rate for this region is 16.3%. A high percentage of people who live here depend on monthly checks from the government.
These statistics shed a light on secular issues that directly affect the religion of the Appalachian Mountains. The people here are thankful for what they have but seem to have little hope. One phrase I hear often is “I’m stuck.” The people believe the answer to the problem is to leave and if they can’t, they just settle on this “I’m stuck” mentality. The region would benefit tremendously if their eyes were opened to the talents and knowledge they have within themselves. More importantly, the people could use their talents for the glory of God right where they are.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Aldomurillo
Praying for the Appalachian People
Praying is an essential part of our daily walk with Christ. It is our direct line of communication with God. For me, it is my lifeline. It is what keeps me in sync with the will of God. When my family was called to this small town in southern West Virginia, I was excited. When I got here, excitement turned to astonishment. I had no idea that there were places like this left in America. I asked my husband if we had stepped back in time.
What I have come to realize is that this place is magical. The beauty of God’s creation in these mountains should be on everyone’s bucket list. I have also learned that God has a plan for these special and interesting people. I am lucky enough to live here, but for those that can’t, there are ways to join us in ministry. That way is through prayer.
1. Pray Specifically
Take some time to research the Appalachian region. Developing a sense of what this place is like will help you to pray for the people and the church. The Appalachian church needs you to pray specifically for economic development, wisdom for the leaders of this area, and a resurgence of hope. Pray for a loss of the “I’m stuck” mentality.
2. Pray for Revival
In my observations, I think the copious amount of churches has developed a misunderstanding of what and who Christ is. There is a church on every corner and none of them are the same denomination. People here have conflicting doctrines and it is a source of contention.
As you pray, cry out to God for an awakening in this region and in the churches. The people need to see that God is in control. God has a plan that is so much better than anything we could think of. The sweet people of Appalachia need a softening of their hearts and then revival can break out.
3. Pray Missionally
Our best understanding of a situation comes from directly placing ourselves in it. Take some time to pray about visiting the Appalachian region. Ask God to lead you in the way that would do the most good and bring glory to Him. Ask God to show you where to go and what to do while you’re there. There are many opportunities to serve and witness to the people here.
4. Prayer Walking
I find sometimes that taking a walk leads me to pray. If you live in the Appalachian region, this is something I strongly recommend you do.
Pick a place each week and pray over it. Walk around the park and pray for the children. Ask God to protect them and give them the wisdom to make good decisions. Walk downtown and pray that God will build up businesses and bring new opportunities to the area. As you pass by the church buildings, pray for the people that enter those doors each week.
My Final Thoughts
Changing the hearts and minds of people is challenging. Appalachian mountain people are strong, set in their ways, and determined. The way things have always been has continued to work for them, so they do not understand why things need to change. The beauty in the mountain people is that they may not welcome change, but you will never feel safer and more loved than among the people here.
Just because mountain people are living in a distant location does not mean they should be forgotten. The people here are what make up the church. It is not the church buildings; it is the couple sitting on the porch every afternoon or the kids playing in the alley. God’s design for this place is magnificent but still needs your prayers.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Wilsilver77
