Prayer Letter - 28 February 2005

To: Prayer Partners
From: Pastor Lucenay

Our theme verse for 2005 is Colossians 3:17, Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. In this week’s prayer time I hope we can think about the things we do.

A prayer of praise applauds the Lord God Almighty. The psalmist worded his prayer, How awesome are your deeds! (Psalm 66:3). Make a list of ten awesome deeds God has done and the way they have affected your life. Think about these activities of the Divine. Consider the changes they have brought to your life.

The psalmist was very aware of the errors of his ways. He prayed, Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord (Psalm 25:7). He did not want God to remember the stupid mistakes or rebellious ways of his yesterdays. As we approach God in prayer, every one of us is acquainted with the fingerprints of his/her peculiar sins. The season of lent was established to help God’s people to put aside the deeds of darkness (Romans 13: 12). Turning from the rebel within us requires a willingness to quit putting acceptable names on the unacceptable things we do. Furthermore, we must turn to the Lord Jesus Christ in confession of our sins, naming each the way God names it. Only then can we begin to know cleansing in the fresh stream of God’s love. Take time to review your life. Does God bring to mind anything you need to confess? Think about opportunities missed. Is God showing you a place where you could have been His light but you chose to lurk in your darkness? If you are going to give your whatevers to the Lord, you need to purify your heart first.

A few verses after our theme verse, the idea of focusing on what we are doing is mentioned again. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward (Colossians 3:23, 24). Is your work worthy of your name? Can you make your work a sacrifice to the Lord Jesus Christ? People pressures, the current crisis, and the stressful situation can divert our attention from the fact that all of life is dedicated to Jesus. Ask God to help you do your best so that your work can bring honor to His name as He puts His chop on the finished product of each day’s efforts.

Paul wrote to Timothy, be rich in good deeds (1 Timothy 6:18). Why? Peter answers Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us (1 Peter 2:12). Your life is a witness to the position Christ holds in your heart. Your life is a living example of what happens when a person is totally committed to Jesus Christ. Pray that God will be seen in and through your life.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24). Let us pray for the needs of our church family:

• the salvation of the people who do not know Jesus. Pray that Christ will come to life in their hearts. Let us also pray for the people who attend our church and do not know Jesus as Savior.
• the salvation of the parents of children in Sunday School and Kindergarten
• the growth of those who have recently come to Christ
• the health of those who are ill
• the teachers and workers in our Sunday School and Bible Studies
• the music ministry, choirs, music directors, instrumentalists
• the ministry staff (pastor, min. of ed., min. of youth, chapel pastor), office staff & caretaker
• deacons, committee members, and volunteers in the church ministries
• the financial support of the ministry of the church

As you pray for our worship services, pray that God

• will bring people together with a spirit of expectation
• will quiet the distractions
• will stir each of our hearts and make His Word come alive in each of our minds
• will help us to sense His presence and will bring transformation to our lives
• will bring people to faith each time we meet.

Begin now to pray for the Easter services. We will have the Good Friday Tenebrae service and the special Easter Morning services. Pray for the movement of the Holy Spirit in each of these services.

Thank you for your prayer support. God bless you.