Prayer Letter - 27 June 2005

To: Prayer Partners
From: Pastor Lucenay

Jesus said, Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy (Matthew 5:7). Eugene Peterson writes, You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for (The Message).

Peter tells each of us that Jesus cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Some days I find great encouragement in the fact that Jesus cares for me. I know He has saved me from my sin and provided a place for me in eternity. The provisions wrapped up in the promises of salvation are wonderful blessings. However, in my daily journey I sometimes find myself stressed out with the daily issues of life. Then the Psalmist encourages me with the words, Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens (Psalm 68:19).

What kinds of burdens weigh heavily on your heart today? Are you wrestling with guilt? Is exhaustion shadowing every step? Has God been quiet in response to your prayers for a family member? Did the doctor’s report discourage you? Are you having trouble with some of life’s sandpaper people at work? Are you disappointed in yourself? Jesus says, Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me---watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly (Matthew 11:28-30, The Message).

How does one go to Jesus with one’s worries? The words of the old spiritual remind us to “Tell it to Jesus.” Sometimes I wear myself out telling everyone but Jesus when Jesus is the only one who cares, the only one who can do anything with the “its” of my life. Maybe you say, “I’ve been telling it to Jesus and He’s not doing anything.” I’ve felt that way myself. However, just because I cannot see what Jesus is doing doesn’t mean He is not dealing with my “its.” Sometimes He has much work to do with and in me, before He dare begin to work on my cares. And, I am afraid sometimes He dare not bring changes in others because though I think those changes are would be for the best, if the other people changed and I did not, I would cause even more problems for the other person. These burdens we carry can be so confusing. What is one to do?

When we take life’s messes to the Lord, lay them in His hands and “let God,” the first place He will work is in us. The longer I live, the more I find in me that could use His attention. I think He sometimes uses the sandpaper people to awaken me to my own neediness. They surely help me see the rough places I would rather overlook. Sometimes he uses the unsolvable problems to bring me to the end of myself, making room in me for Him to work.

When the Psalmist wrote, He restores my soul (Psalm 23:2). He wrote of the shepherd holding the little lamb close to His heart until the fear eased and the heartbeat of the Father assured Him he was secure. Maybe being cared for by the Father is found in a closeness to the Savior that drops demands, orders, requests, and pleas in favor of just being with the Father. He does care. He does bear. He does share. And He is always there.

We are members of the body of Christ, and I believe the Father cares for His body. Let us ask Him to give us eyes to see the needs He wants us to see. Ask God to help you see people as persons so you can encourage them Ask God to help people see the love of the Lord Jesus and see the hope they can find in Christ Jesus. Ask God to help you see a place where you can make the Christ-difference in someone’s life.

Let us ask Him to give us ears to hear the hearts of people. Sometimes, lost in the noise of a crowd, is the faint cry of a hurting heart. Sometimes the real need of the soul is drowned out by the loud attempts to hide reality from others. How would Jesus have you listen to people this week?

Let us ask Him to give us a tongue to speak words of grace and blessing. How would Jesus use your voice this week? In your home? At the workplace? In the church? Do your words reveal the fruit of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control-Galatians 5:22, 23)?

Let us ask Him to use our hands to help. It’s one thing to see a need and expect someone else to address it. The people of God are invited to find a need and fill it. As we use our hands to help, the body of Christ touches many people with true compassion.

Let us ask Him to use our feet to carry us to the places where He wants His witness. Ask God to guide your steps so you may share the gospel…with your hands, your ears, your heart, and possibly with your mouth.

Some are sick. This week Rebekah S’s mother new to our prayer list. She had surgery late in the week (she is 94yrs). Also, Eva’s employer had surgery. Many are lost in the darkness of unbelief. Some are struggling with difficult decisions. Others are weary. Some are searching. Pray for one another and invite others to pray for you.

Many of our people are scattering around the world. This week Nancy goes to the US to spend some time with her mother. Let us pray for those who are traveling and for the people who are separated from their loved ones. Pray for those who are on vacation to find refreshment, those who are working to be productive, those who are moving to find new community, and for all to walk in the center of God’s will.

Though we are spread in many directions, the church remains very busy. Pray for the pastor, church staff, teachers, and people of our fellowship. Pray for our worship services this weekend and for the movement of God’s Spirit.

Let us end our prayer time in thanksgiving…thanksgiving for those who were baptized Sunday, for the friends who share our journey with us, for the opportunity of living in such a great city and wonderful time in history, and for the movement of God’s Spirit in our hearts. We thank God for the babies born in the last couple of weeks. Pray for healing for the people who are struggling for health. Pray our thanksgiving for the freedom to worship and our request that this freedom continue uninterrupted. Pray for God's Spirit to bring the lost to faith in Christ.

I thank God for you. God bless you.