On Sunday, we began the second part of our series, Disciples of the Cross. Over the course of the summer, we have been exploring the “why” of discipleship. Examining Christ’s call to the disciples, we have heard Jesus calling to us. Watching Jesus’ disciples learn from him, we too have been learning. With that firm foundation, we will begin to learn the “what” and the “how” of being Jesus’ disciples. To do so, we begin with prayer. As we watch Jesus live into the Kingdom, we watch as he spent time in prayer (Mark 1:35 and Luke 12:1).
As we discovered on Sunday, God doesn’t need your prayers. His majesty isn’t improved; his plans are not perfected because you pray. Instead, God begins to shape you and change you when you pray according to the petitions that Jesus taught in the Lord’s Prayer. We become like him as we pray: “Give us a portion of what you have, Lord Jesus. May we know your Father’s love as our own; shape us by your kingdom; teach us the freedom of his will being done in our lives; show us the gratitude of daily bread; forgive us as we forgive; defend us from every foe.” As we enter the last week of July, maybe August and September are creeping a little closer than you’d like. Instead of worrying and stressing about it, draw closer to God. Cast your cares upon him, seek his wisdom, worry less and pray more. God will take care of you!
Learning to pray with you,
Pastor Culynn
To prepare for worship on Sunday
(August 4), you are invited to read:
Psalm 40:16-17, Matthew 7:7-10