Hi Faith Family,
Praying you are well and happy today!
Praying is something we all can do. When we go through difficult times, perhaps we have a clearer view of the high value of prayer. It certainly seems as though we sure have much about which to pray.
A wise senior who has lived over 7 decades on this earth recently told me that he has never seen times like these in his lifetime. Many people are hurting during this financial crisis. These tough times hit everyone in some way.
Many of you have heard that the economic downturn has had a dramatic impact on our church body, as well. Due primarily to an individual and a foundation which are unable to give planned gifts, over six million dollars planned for ministry is absent. The Synodical Council, which is like the church council for the church body, met last weekend for planning ministry with less funding. Cuts will be coming. The Board for Home Missions received a special grant of 1 million dollars from the Church Extension Fund, but will still be making cuts. Our mission effort is funded through Home Missions. The Home Missions Executive Committee will be meeting this Friday and Saturday, prioritizing every mission effort.
I don’t intend to make this devotion too self-directed, yet with all these discussions forthcoming, the Lord saw fit to send me a call to serve Saint Mark congregation in Leesburg, Florida. Yes, we have opportunity to pray about many things. What is tremendously comforting is that God invites us to pray about all things and promises that he hears and answers our prayers. Through James, God additionally engages us to come to him in prayer with this message: The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
I invite you to pray. I invite you to pray to your loving God who has sent Jesus who was tempted in every way we are, yet He never sinned. Through Christ’s perfection and sacrifice on the cross, you are right with God. Because of this, God invites us to approach him through prayer . . .
with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
I also respectfully ask you to pray for me and for our congregation at a crucial time. I am asking for your powerful and effective prayer to our loving God, who has all things in his hands. Please pray for the Lord’s strength and guidance for all the leaders in Home Missions as well as the leaders at Peace In Jesus who will be meeting tomorrow night.
God’s richest blessings on your week,
--Pastor Dan