B: Begin with Prayer

New Hope is starting to change the world without having to change much in their daily routine. For a year now, we have been practicing the B.L.E.S.S. model, and finding more organic and authentic ways to share our faith where we live, work and play. We started by each making a list of neighbors in our everyday circles, and then we B: Began with Prayer. We've been praying for neighbors and for opportunities to start relationships.

Mary Lee's Story

Meet Mary Lee. Mary Lee started to pray for the neighbors in her apartment building, and for ways that she could start to build relationships. This past Christmas, God inspired action. "I gave out gift bags to 10 of my neighbors at Christmas and heard back from 3 of them. One in particular knocked on my door to give me a small gift along with pictures drawn by their three daughters."

Mary Lee didn't let the momentum stop. "I wrote a thank you note and gave them my cell number, which resulted in the mom texting me back. We have exchanged several texts and had a couple of in-person conversations over the past few months." Trust began to build as her neighbor asked her to hold a package that had been delivered until her family got home.

God continued to create opportunities for Mary Lee to connect with this family. One night, she received a grocery order by mistake. "I would not have had any idea what to do with all the groceries that were delivered to me. But because of this developing friendship, I was able to offer it to this family and it meant that they would have lunchmeat, cheese, eggs, milk, bread, cookies and other snacks to help provide meals for them during the week."

Mary Lee has been greatly impacted by God's movement in this new relationship. "It encourages my heart that if I park my car near their windows, the girls will pull up the blinds and wave to me. I'm also encouraged that three families personally responded to the Christmas gift bags, two of those with names, so I can pray for them specifically. I look forward to seeing how God will continue to develop my friendship with this new family."

Where are you in the B.L.E.S.S. model? God wants to use you to reach your neighbors with the greatest news they will ever hear!