Watching the Wall: March
Posted Thursday, March 4th, 2010 | 0 Comments »Prayer draws us into a deeper intimacy with God. The conversation with God is not always pretty; sometimes it’s raw, filled with anger, pain, and agony as we cry out in disbelief over senseless loss. Other times it’s filled with gratitude and contentment, like a child resting in his mother’s lap. And sometimes’ it’s filled with asking, because we believe that nothing is impossible with God.
Each month we are invited to set aside the first Friday of the month to ask specifically for the needs of Bethany and the community. As we ask God to do what we could never do on our own, let us give him the glory for how he is working in and through us in all of the communities that we represent.
Pray that all who attend Bethany will desire, above all else, transformation that comes through repentance and commitment to Christ. Pray that God would speak to each of us through the sermons on Sunday, and that we would respond with obedient hearts.
Pray for us as a congregation as we seek to be intentional in developing a Rule of Life in the areas of prayer, Scripture reading, generosity, and service. Pray that we would each commit to specific practices in these areas that will prepare our hearts to receive what God has for us to be and to do.
Pray for those who are involved in the search for new ministry staff: Worship Ministry Director and Children’s Ministry Director. Pray that God would guide the right person here for each position, and that they would be confirmed by consensus among the search committees. Pray for those who have stepped in as interim directors – Chris Gough and Jean Ballance – that God would guide and strengthen them to continue to lead their respective ministries.
Pray for the preparations for Easter, that we would be welcoming hosts for the visitors that will be here on Easter Sunday, and that each one who comes will encounter Christ in a new way.
Pray for those in our congregation who are grieving the loss of loved ones. Pray that God would comfort them and be present with them in their sadness. Pray also for those in our congregation who are struggling with illness. Pray that God, the Divine Healer, would restore their health and fill them with his strength and comfort.
Pray for those in our congregation who are between jobs and looking for work. Pray that God our Provider would meet their needs and guide them to a new position where they can use their giftedness for him. Pray that God would fill them with his peace during this time of uncertainty.
Pray for the short-term mission trips coming up this month. We will be sending teams to the Lummi reservation and to Macedonia. Pray that God would protect these teams, and that he would accomplish great things in and through them as a result of these trips.
Pray for our Tabitha Ministries. Pray for the women who spend the night at our church; may they feel safe and cared for by the many volunteers who staff the shelter. Pray also for those who staff the Food Bank and host the Community Dinners. Pray that we as a church community will continue to develop ways to build bridges to the surrounding community.
Pray for all of the ministries of Bethany, that they would be sourced and directed by the Spirit of God, so that in all things He would receive the glory and thanks.
Blessings,
Nancy Eckardt
