“I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.  As soon as I pray, you answer me;” – Psalm 138:2-3

Question for the day:  Am I praying for you as I promised?

Happy July Friends,

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday week.  I know that I did, experiencing all the blessings of visiting family.  We went to Pennsylvania last week to spend a few days with my beloved’s family.  I had a good deal of time to reflect on what family means, which led me to fixing my mind on you, my church family.

Maybe some of you think me odd for calling you family, but that is what you are to me.  You are the people that I rejoice with over the celebrations in life, you are also the people that I turn to when I am in need.  I consider each of you a member of my family, and I hope that you each know how much I care for you.

So what does it mean to be church family?  Many things come to mind, but the one thing that is sticking with me these days is prayer.  At one time, if you have made joining the church a part of your journey, you have promised to uphold the church family of Liberty Crossings with your prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.  This is a commitment we all make as we covenant to do life together.

In my experience, as I worked at finding my place in this family, the final four were pretty easy.  I showed up, gave money, volunteered where I saw a need, and shared my faith when led to.  But I must say that intercessory prayer, those prayers said for others, has probably been my weakest link.

I have always prayed faithfully for those that came and asked.  People with problems or circumstances that were challenging many times have requested that I pray for them specifically and it is always my privilege to do so.

But I have not done a good job of praying for the welfare of my brothers and sisters walking through every day life.  So, if it is alright with all of you, I would like to focus this month on creating a discipline in my life of intentionally praying for others.  I believe this is the most important thing I can learn to do in support of my church, and I want to take it seriously.

This is an especially good time for all of you to share your prayer needs.  I will share them with the rest of our community if you wish, or I will just pray for you myself if you would rather remain private.  So if you feel led, please don’t hesitate to call or email me.

Gracious Lord,

I pray today for my church family.  I ask that Your Holy Spirit would move mightily through our congregation and that each one would be filled with an unquenchable desire for Your presence.  I pray that every person would be drawn deeper each day into Your heart and Your vision for their lives.  I pray that our families would place You in the center of their homes, and they would begin to experience Your grace & mercy, Your peace & power, Your love and contentment in powerful ways.

May we become a church full of God chasers- that never give up our pursuit of full communion with You.  Teach us, Father, to love You with all our hearts, minds, souls and strength.

In the name of Jesus I pray,

Amen