Good morning,
First of all, thank you to everyone for your prayers and your kind texts and emails this week as my family processes the sudden passing of my Uncle Craig. I probably talk about my Uncle Blake more, but the truth is that my Uncle Craig played a very important role in my life. He was always there for me, and I am going to miss him so much. As a family we hold fast to the assurance that he is in heaven because He trusted in Jesus as his Savior!
On Sunday I mentioned that we are going to be having a 24 hour prayer vigil during Holy Week, starting at 7 pm on Thursday, April 6 and concluding with our Good Friday Service on April 7th at 7 pm. Sign up sheets for a 30 minute time slot will be in the church lobby on Sunday. Unfortunately, I was not nearly as clear about this event as I should have been on Sunday! Here is some more information that I hope brings clarity:
Do I have to be at the church to participate? No, not at all. On Sunday I said that for 24 hours we are going to have someone in our church praying. What I should have said was that we are going to have someone from our congregation praying.
Feel free to pray at home, at work, in your car (keep your eyes on the road with that one), or wherever else you feel connected to God. If you want to pray at the church let me know and I’ll try to make that happen. The goal is to have someone who is a part of the Bridge praying somewhere for 24 hours!
Can we pray with a prayer partner or spouse? YES!
How in the world am I going to be able to pray for 30 minutes in a row?
It seems intimidating, doesn’t it? Having an extended time of prayer is something that many of us aren’t really comfortable with. However, my experience in leading and participating in prayer vigils is that it quickly becomes a very meaningful experience with God for many, many people.
I am putting the finishing touches on a prayer guide for the vigil. It will be available on Palm Sunday and I’ll include it in an email blast that week as well. The guide will have you reading a verse of scripture on a number of different prayer topics and then give you ideas of who and what you can be praying for. We’ll be praying for others, for our nation, for our world, and for our church. We’ll spend some time giving God praise, thanksgiving, and adoration. We’ll also include a list of current prayer concerns for our ABCF family.
Of course, let the Holy Spirit lead you…if you already have prayer practices that are meaningful for you, go for it! And remember, part of praying is listening to God. You may be surprised at how quickly 30 minutes goes by when you are in prayer!
Why are we doing this?
The first prayer vigil is recorded in Acts 1. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He promised that the Holy Spirit would come and strengthen the disciples for the work that was ahead of them. In response “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.” (Acts 1:14). Our desire for this time is the same desire the disciples had: to come before God in confession, petition, thanksgiving and adoration so that His plans and purposes for our community might be carried out through us.
As to why we pray at all, well that would take an entire sermon series (and we’d only be scratching the surface)! However, allow me to share just a couple of quick thoughts. We pray because God commands us to pray. Philippians 4:6-7 says this:
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
We pray because Jesus prayed. Consider Mark 1:35:
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
We pray because it is a way for God to show us His will and to give us strength for the day. We pray when we need to make big decisions and to overcome temptation. We pray to prepare our hearts for worship and confess our sins. We pray to encourage and strengthen others.
When we pray we speak to God as a child would speak to their kind and loving father. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father is warm and comforting. It’s informal and intimate. We don’t pray because God needs more information or is unaware of what is going on in our lives or in the world. We pray because it is a way to enter into the presence of the Father and acknowledge our dependence on Him…the One who loves us unconditionally. We pray because it delights God…He loves to talk to His children. We pray because we have the assurance that not only does God listen, He listens attentively and with great concern for our needs.
I hope that you will join us in our Easter Prayer Vigil!
Here’s what’s happening:
- This is the last Sunday for our canned pasta collection for Oxford Neighborhood Services. Donations can be placed on the table in the lobby.
- Junior Youth service project is this Saturday, 3/25 from 10 am to noon at the church.
- Men’s Breakfast is this Saturday at 8am at Hometown Kitchen.
- Senior High Youth meet this Sunday after the worship service.
- If you are interested in sharing special music during our Palm Sunday, Good Friday, or Easter services, please let me know by this Sunday.
- We will be celebrating Holy Communion on Palm Sunday (4/2).
- Junior Youth have their monthly gathering next Sunday as well.
- Easter morning breakfast is scheduled for 8 am. Please bring a breakfast casserole and either a pastry or fruit to share.
- There are still several items in the coat rack area that are considered “Lost and Found.” Please look them over, as they will be finding a new home soon.
Last Sunday we looked at the transfiguration of Christ on the mountaintop. This Sunday we find Jesus back in the valley. The disciples have tried and failed in ministry, and now a whole crowd of people are struggling with doubt. We’ll be looking at the truths that we learn from Mark 9:14-29 about faith, doubt, and when our enemy decides to attack!