Dear Church Family,
Good day and greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior.
I want to thank those who sent notes of thanks for these updates, those who have sent prayer requests, and all of you for praying over these matters.
It is a blessing to know that all week long we meet before the mercy seat, though we may not meet here. It is interesting to think that when we pray, others we know and love may be praying too, or perhaps, have just finished praying. Or that when we finish our prayers, another of our church family begins his or hers: Melanie Sawaya says, “Amen!” Just as Barb Robinson says, “Dear Lord…” And while she’s praying, up comes the voice of another of our little family, and Luke Anderson or Ezekiel Wagner, or Christian Sinding, or one of the other children starts calling on the name of the Lord.
I think it is encouraging to think about our prayers in that way.
Paul tells us, by the Holy Spirit…
Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
What a blessed bit of instruction that is, and what a precious promise. The value of this promise is beyond measure, and millions of Christians can attest to what a blessing it is to have this command and promise from the Lord, and the blessing it has been to them.
I came across this beautiful poem today in the book I have been reading online for the children. I didn’t include it in my reading but thought I would share it here.
I leave it all with Jesus,
Then wherefore should I fear?
I leave it all with Jesus,
And He is ever near.
I leave it all with Jesus,
Trust Him for what must be;
I leave it all with Jesus,
Who ever thinks of me.
I bring it all to Jesus,
In calm, believing prayer;
I bring it all to Jesus,
And I love to LEAVE it there!
Each tear, each sigh, each trouble,
Each disappointment,–all
I love to GIVE to Jesus,
Who loves to TAKE it all.
There are so many things to leave with Him right now, and obviously our economy and what sort of nation we will be when all of this is said and done is one of those things.
Bonnie and I hope that you are well, and we pray for you every day. We pray about your health, your jobs, your needs, and our church and its operations both now and in the future.
Every day, we find it a great blessing to find our minds and thoughts guarded through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Father in heaven, we come as Your people throughout the day, to bring our praises and our burdens before You in Jesus name. How thankful we are to know that You, the one true and living God, hears our prayers in His name.
Lord, we thank You that in the midst of all the dire news and the troubling rumors that fill these days, we have the powerful and engaging promises of Your Word.
Help us, Lord, to rest in Him who loved us and gave Himself for us, and let us come with boldness, bearing one another’s burdens before the throne of grace, and may we rejoice together in that help which we find in the time of need.
Here now these our prayers in Jesus name, and answer according to Your own perfect will—this grants us such peace in Christ—Amen!
