At Faith, September means the kickoff of so many great ministries. During this month our GO ministry will start heading out on Tuesday evenings to share the gospel of Jesus with people in our community. On Wednesdays, students from Kindergarten through 8th grade will be at Faith being strengthened in their relationship with Jesus. On Thursdays, college students will be gathering in the Loft to forge a deeper friendship with Jesus and other college students. And all throughout the week, small groups will be meeting for friendship, Bible study and prayer. All of that is just a small snapshot of the many great ministries that are beginning this month.
But this blog post isn’t primarily about the great ministries that are launching at Faith: it’s a reminder to pray. You see, as a church, we have been called by Jesus to do something that only God can do. After all, salvation and spiritual growth are gifts from God. We are what we are by his grace. Effectiveness in ministry is a gift that we receive, not a reward that we earn. In other words, all that we long to take place in the lives of people is a good gift from a gracious God.
So as we step into a new ministry year, let’s pray. Let’s ask God to move and work in our midst. And let’s ask with eager expectation, because we know God listens and responds to the prayers of his people.
Here are a few ways to intentionally pray for ministry at Faith in this coming year.
Attend the monthly prayer nights. The prayer nights for this fall are September 8, October 6, November 3, and December 1 from 6:00 – 7:00pm. They happen at Faith in the foyer. So just show up with a heart to seek God’s favor for the church that you love.
Sign up for prayer updates. Every week, we send out prayer requests from people at Faith. If you would like to receive those requests or if you have something you want your church to be praying for, send an email to prayer@faithchurchfc.org.
Each day pray for one person at Faith. This could be a ministry leader, a pastor, a friend in your small group, or someone you just met on Sunday. Who it is doesn’t matter as much as the daily discipline of asking God to bless, protect, and guide the people at Faith.
Here is a quote that I’ve been meditating on personally as our church is gearing up for another great year of ministry together: What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better methods, not new organizations or more novel methods, but men [and women] whom the Holy Spirit can use — men [and women] of prayer…The Holy Spirit does not flow through methods, but through people. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but people who pray (E.M Bounds).
If you have some creative ways to pray for ministry at Faith this coming year, let us know. We’d love to hear from you.
Charlie Sandberg has been a member of Faith for 13 years.
At Faith, Charlie serves as the Teaching Pastor. He loves helping people know and love Jesus by teaching the Bible.
Charlie is a Colorado transplant from Minnesota who enjoys writing, reading, running and time with his family.