Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. --1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
Read Pastor Jim's Monthly Newsletter Message
July 2008
A Call to Prayer
Have you ever been driving down the road and suddenly become aware of a siren and flashing lights behind you? Perhaps it's an ambulance rushing an injured patient to the hospital or a police officer hurrying to the scene of an accident or a crime. What do you do? No matter how busy and focused you were previously, you immediately, albeit temporarily, set aside your agenda and move to the side of the road to allow the emergency vehicle to quickly pass. It's interesting how abruptly our attention can shift to the crisis at hand. It is equally interesting how rapidly we can return to our forgoing concerns, rarely giving so much as a backward glance to the aforementioned "interruption".
It is, therefore, with some apprehension that I proclaim the following announcement. Sound the alarm; we desperately need prayer! Has anyone else been paying attention to what is happening all around us? Lives are continuously being destroyed by sin! I read it in the newspaper or on the internet, and I listen to it on the news. I see precious eternal souls shattered by Satan and his forces as they succumb to addictions, greed, lust, violence and a multitude of other vices. It is happening in our area, our nation, and our world. Is there any hope? What is the answer? What can we do?
"Then Jesus told his disciples... that they should always pray and not give up." --Luke 18:1
Frankly, we can't get frustrated and simply give up. The world needs us and our prayers! We must, as God's people, renew our commitment to pray to him for the needs of people both near and far. We must together sound the alarm that the evils society faces cannot be overcome by human effort. It will take divine intervention to truly turn this depressing situation around. And that means prayer! So turn on the siren and flash the lights; prayer is desperately needed right now!
I urge you to join with me in setting aside a time every day this month to pray for hurting people everywhere. Somehow the blinders must be taken off our sleepy eyes that we may see and sense the deep pain of the suffering masses all about us. Throughout the month of July, the sermons will emphasize the need for and the power of prayer. Let me invite you to take advantage of the many opportunities we offer for corporate prayer, such as the 9:00am Wednesday morning prayer time in the sanctuary or the Sunday School and Worship services. God help us all to take seriously this call to prayer!
