O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You.  My soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 

(Psalm 63:1, a psalm of David)

On my morning walks I am noticing dying trees.  The cause may be disease or pests, but I suspect the drought is to blame.  I have thought about why some trees survive and some succumb, and my hypothesis is that only trees with deep roots can withstand such a long, unrelenting period of stress.  It’s true of people: Only people with roots that go down deep into God make it through extended times of trial with victory.  But how to grow deep roots?  By consistently soaking yourself in His Word and by talking to Him – and listening to Him – in prayer.  May the Lord deepen your roots as you pray this week!

Here are a few suggested topics for prayer:

1.  Praise the Lord for recent growth in the Chinese congregation.  Between two and four new people have been coming each week.  Some are recent immigrants, some are friends of current members.  Ask the Lord to prepare the newcomers’ hearts to receive the gospel.  The members of the congregation who are active in ministry are feeling thankful, but overwhelmed, by the influx of newcomers, especially since they are without a permanent pastor.  Ask God to raise up more people willing to serve.

2.  The items donated during VBS for Olive Crest and Sheepfold were delivered recently, and the recipients were very grateful.  Olive Crest, which works with foster children, was especially thankful for gift cards to be used for school supplies, and Sheepfold, which ministers to abused women and their children, has taken in several babies lately and appreciated the donated diapers.  The cards our VBS kids made will be distributed to the children these organizations serve.  If your children participated in VBS, be sure to share this follow-up with them and pray for the children of Olive Crest and Sheepfold.

3.  Remember to support the Hovivians, our missionaries in Ireland, in prayer.  They have been in Dublin almost four months now and are officially settled, having unpacked the last box!  They ask us to pray that they will maintain a humble, teachable spirit as they learn a new culture.  Also ask the Lord to show them how and where to form connections within their community.

4.  Pray for the teachers among us – whether in home schools or traditional schools – who are embarking on a new school year.  Ask God to remind them every day of the eternal importance of their work.  Ask Him to fill them up with energy, creativity, and compassion.

5.  Our children’s Sunday School classes (through 6^th grade) will be changing to a new curriculum soon.  Pray that the teachers will find the new, web-based material to be easy to access and use.  Pray that our children will grow by leaps and bounds in their personal knowledge of the Lord as teachers and parents apply the new curriculum.  Please continue to pray that the Holy Spirit will nudge the people He is calling to join the Children’s Ministry team.

 6.  A friend shared a blog post with me about stress and conflict in relationships.  The author pointed out an obvious fact that we all need to be reminded of: Every relationship involves two sinful, limited people, and I am one of them.  Are any of your relationships strained at the moment?  Try praying like this: Lord, start with me.  Examine my heart, my words, my actions, and cleanse me.  Fill me with so much love and grace that it overflows to the person who has hurt me.

In Christ,

Carol Gilbert, Prayer Chair