An Hour of Prayer # 5

Dear Church Family

   Here is the fifth week of our learning to deepen our prayer lives during this pandemic. It seems our need for prayer is increasing with the rising number of Covid-19 cases. Three days in a row now, over 1,000 people have died from it across the country. Please pray for the families of those who have died, for the first responders who are again being overwhelmed with responsibilities and pray for the development of a vaccine, soon. See we have a hard time waiting because we know we want the cure now.

   Those comments can help us to think about what to pray for. By watching what is going around us we will see what needs to be prayed for. Watching will also give us a glimpse of what God is doing to help sustain us in this time.

   Watching is a time of spiritual observation (perception), to be on the look out, to be spiritually aware of matters to pray for. Ask God for insight, discernment, wisdom, to know on what to focus, and what your priorities should be. Ask the Lord what is on God’s heart and on God’s agenda. An opportunity to do what Jesus said “Seek first the Kingdom of God, and everything else you need will be provided.”  Matt. 6:33.

   Watching is also a way of learning so that we can grow in our spiritual journey with God. Jesus often asked the followers to come and see what he was doing. To come and see where he was staying, so they could learn from him by being present. I’m watching several webinars to help improve my skills at leading our church in this very different time than any of us had anticipated. Watching how to help us raise the money we need so that we don’t close down our ministries. Watching how to do zoom meetings, so that they can go better. I’m very close to learning how to do a Bible Class all online in zoom and will be doing those shortly.

   Watching is also how we will discover that God is creating again, new things that will bless us as we go along. On Sunday I’m sharing some ideas about how we can watch what God is doing in other places, that will benefit our life together as God’s family. I’m inviting you to watch our zoom and to invite as many people as you can, to watch along with you. When the Zoom information goes out on flash, you are encouraged to mention this to your friends and neighbors, those in your apartment complex, your family, your neighbors, your co-workers, your children’s friends etc. so they can join you in seeing what God is doing to help us in this time of stress and discouragement.

   Pay attention to how God is working around you, so you too can say, see what new things God is doing, it is marvelous in our eyes. God’s blessings be upon all of you, while we are absent, one from the other.

Pastor Jeff