Several state Baptist conventions held online prayer gatherings this week. Those and more are making future plans to continue to engage in persistent, specific, group prayer.

"We believe fundamentally that we are a people of prayer," said Willie McLaurin, vice president for great commission relations and mobilization at the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee. "There's something special about the Spirit of God that unifies people who have a common purpose and a common passion, gathering together."

McLaurin said it is now the new normal, going forward to utilize creative and innovative ways to lift high the power of prayer. ...