Congregational Prayer for Savior Divine

Although I have touched on this prayer before, it is one that seems to fit our context well.   It was written by a member of the congregation for us to use in our worship each Sunday.  I feel it is a very bold and dynamic prayer for our congregation. Here it is:

"Dear Lord, bless us with your love and help us to do your will.  
Give us the ability to spread your word, 
to help our congregation to grow,
to maintain our building as a place of worship open to all,
to understand your plan for our mission and ministry.
We thank you for the financing of our bus ministry,
in your name we trust.  Amen."

I notice the discipleship emphasis here.  It is a plea that we would do God's will. It is a prayer of surrender just as we pray likewise in The Lord's Prayer.  Then, too, notice that it asks for us to have the ability to spread God's word.  This would entail learning about witnessing as well as having the courage to witness.

There is also the request that we would understand God's plan for our mission and ministry.  I believe this is ever evolving for us as we learn more about our neighboring communities, their needs and also what we might have to offer.  In addition, we are seeking to focus our mission and also to work hand-in-hand with Moraine Valley Community Church, also worshiping in this building and discovering what we can do in joint ministry.

The prayer concludes with a word of thanks.  We have been very grateful to receive a couple of grants to keep our bus ministry going this year.  This transportation has been very important for us as we bring folks to worship who otherwise might not be part of a worshiping community.

All in all, I realize we are taking the long view with this prayer.  It is prayed not just once, but on a weekly basis.  I hope that with some of your prayers, you also take the long view.

Knee Deep in Prayer

As I have been reading through the book of Acts and following the missionary journeys of the apostle Paul along with his co-workers, I was struck by this incident where Paul meets up with the elders from Ephesus in Miletus.  He had formerly been in Ephesus, spent some three years there, and now on his way to Jerusalem meets up with them in Miletus.

Paul has a rather lengthy discussion with them and mentions that he had spoke the whole purpose of God to them.  He held nothing back.  He realized that he had suffered persecution and imprisonment and acknowledges that it might happen again.  He also acknowledges that he wants to finish the ministry to which he had been called!

We read here in regard to Paul:  "When he had finished speaking, he knelt down with them all and prayed.  There was much weeping among them all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, grieving especially because of what he had said, that they would not see him again.  Then they brought him to the ship."  Acts 20:36-38

Can you begin to capture the scene and what an emotional time it must have been?

I believe we in the church need to realize that if we want to do faithful witnessing there will be hard times ahead for us.  There will be rejection and obstacles.  Are we ready to endure?  Yes, it comes with the territory.  When we do get down on our knees in prayer, it indicates that we take our calling seriously.  It also shows that we are willing to depend on God's power to work through us.