In almost all of St. Paul's New Testament letters, he begins with a standard Salutation and then launches into a Prayerful Doxology or a Prayer of Thanksgiving. Paul was wise to know that we should always begin in prayer.
Prayer is vital, and Vital Congregations are always Places of Prayer.
I was recently talking with a congregational leader about long, drawn-out, and difficult Church Council meetings. She shared, "Our meetings are always contentious and sometimes they drag on for 2 to 3 hours. This is not how I want to spend my evenings. My job is stressful enough". I asked about the amount of time the Church Council devoted to Scripture and Prayer. The response, "With such a full agenda, there just isn't time to add 1 more thing." But what if that "1 more thing" (prayer) is just the thing this Church Council needs? Prayer is vital, and Vital Congregations are Places of Prayer.
Here are 5 questions to consider:
1. Do all of your congregational meetings begin and end in prayer? Including the Trustees / Property Committee Meeting?
2. Do you regularly pray for your pastor, deacon, and congregational leaders?
3. Do you have a Prayer Team that meets regularly to pray for the joys and concerns of the congregation, community, and world?
4. Do you have a Sunday morning Prayer Team that prays with the pastor and worship leaders?
5. Do you promise people that you will pray for them and then follow through on that promise?
Prayer is vital, and Vital Congregations are always Places of Prayer.
A Few Comings and Goings
On Thursday, August 24, the staff of the Northwestern Ohio Synod will be gathering for Discipleship Conversation.
On Saturday,
August 26, the Ohio Candidacy Committee and Candidates will be gathering for a 1 day retreat at Camp Mowana in Mansfield, Ohio. I will be leading worship and holding a workshop on prayer.
On Sunday,
August 27,
I will be worshiping with the people of God and Pastor Chris Young at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Marblehead and St. John Lutheran Church in Lakeside.
