Pray for God's Church

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

Last Sunday we had a treat in worship.  St. John member, Hunter Richards, preached on the assigned Epistle lesson, Romans 8:28-39.  Not only was I blessed by Hunter’s sharing of God’s word, but I had many people share with me how good a job Hunter had done and that they too were blessed.

 

Hunter has just finished his vicarage, his year of internship, on the long educational road to being certified as a pastor.  Next May Hunter will graduate after 8 years of college and seminary and should receive a call to serve as pastor in a church.  But, Hunter is not the only St. John member finishing their studies to serve in God’s church.  Brittany Arlow has just finished a year of internship in Florida as a Director of Christian Education (DCE).  After another year of schooling she will be available to serve the Lord in a congregation.  We are truly blessed to have two young people from St. John who will serve in the church to bring the good news of Jesus to others in the coming years.

 

But, did you ever consider what the church will look like in which Hunter and Brittany will serve?  Our country is changing rapidly.  The change in our country is also affecting the church and the way God’s church does it’s ministry.  But, we shouldn’t be surprised.  Jesus promised that His church would endure (Matthew 16:18), but He also promised hatred and persecution for God’s people as they do God’s work.  (John 15:18 ff) 

 

Matthew 6 is just one example of where Jesus teaches His people to pray for the church and it’s work.  This section of Scripture is what we now call, “The Lord’s Prayer.”

9 "This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’” (Matthew 6:9-13)

 

Have you thought recently that the prayer Jesus taught us is as much a prayer for His Church and the work of the church as it is for each of us individually?  We don’t pray, “My Father”, we pray “OUR Father.”  We don’t pray “Give me my daily bread,”  we pray “Give US today OUR daily bread.”  When we pray this prayer Jesus taught us we are praying for all Christians and for God’s work among us.

 

And, when we pray, “Your kingdom come” we are asking God to spread the good news of Jesus, to spread faith, and to spread forgiveness and eternal life throughout the world.  We are praying for God’s church and the work God has given His Church to do.  But the work of sharing that we are all sinners in need the Savior God has sent has always been difficult.

 

Thank you, Hunter and Brittany, for being willing to serve Jesus in His Church.  We will continue to pray for all Christians as together we serve the Lord.  And, we will specifically pray for each of you.

 

A Child of God, Praying for God’s Church,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Here is a picture of Hunter and Brittany after worship at St. John from Christmas 2013.  https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/6042633067331152785?banner=pwa

 

P.P.S.  Here are some pictures from recent fishing trips with members and friends.  https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/6042629097376762289?banner=pwa

 

 

 

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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’    I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have.  (I am always adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message. . . Or, if you know someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me their e-mail address.

 

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