Another Pastoral Epistle 11/14/18

I recall my personal struggles as a young follower of Christ praying publicly. Especially praying for missionaries. My “go to” prayer was, “God bless the missionaries.” That isn’t a terrible prayer, but it did feel a bit too general. How could I really rejoice in answered prayer? How was this strengthening my faith as I prayed for them?

A few years later, my eyes were opened to the prayers spoken in Scripture. Not only the long prayers of Daniel, Nehemiah, David, and Jehoshaphat, but specific requests in the letters of the New Testament. There is Philippians 1:9-11 and Colossians 1:9-11 and Paul’s request for prayer at the end of Colossians for an open door for evangelism and the clear words to speak. These prayers teach us how to pray. Scripture is full of examples!

I came across one again just this week. In Romans 15:30-32, Paul requests prayer for safety, positive reception of the gospel, and a refreshing visit with the saints in Rome. Now that is something we can pray for our missionaries, for the church, and for each other. One thing is certain about praying Scripture- we know that this is God’s will.

Church, I pray for you consistently. I pray that we know the power of the risen Christ that lives in us. I pray that we embrace truth over all the other “voices” that compete with that daily. I pray that God’s bride remains pure, steadfast, faithful, and growing in love with Jesus. My prayer for you is that we excel in giving, serving, worshipping, and loving. An almost daily request is for an increasing dependence on Him as we remain in Christ.

The prayers found in the epistles often include one common feature. They begin with thanks. And the thanks are often for the church. So, as we pray for each other and for the church, the challenge is to begin with thanks. Who can you thank God for today? Consider the church family and pause to thank God for specific individuals and for what God is doing at EBC.

I would add to not only give thanks to God for those people, but also practice expressing your thanks to them. So often we have thankful thoughts, but for one reason or another, not share them with words. But when we do, others are encouraged, it can stir them up to love and good deeds, and it helps to create a climate of gratitude in our church. Gratitude can be as contagious as grumbling and complaining. And who knows the power of your words of thanks in lifting a wounded or weary soul? Who can you speak your words of thanks to this week? Say, “thank you” to someone today!

I thank God for you! I look forward to seeing you this Sunday!

With thanksgiving,
Pastor Brian