The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)

Praying alone in your prayer closet is one thing; praying aloud in a group is another. It is an uncomfortable prospect for many. Last week, my small group discussed the reasons for that discomfort. One reason is fear of the common human tendency to evaluate one another. I don’t want to pray aloud if I think others are rating my prayer. She’s not as spiritual as I thought. She’s rambling again! She has a great vocabulary. She sure uses the words “I” and “me” a lot – she’s egotistical. As you have opportunity to participate in group prayer this week, remember that when you pray, your audience is God, not the people you’re praying with. When you listen to another’s prayer, consciously set aside the impulse to critique the “outward appearance” of the prayer and truly join your heart in prayer.

Here are some ideas to get you started in prayer this week:

1. Students from our high school, junior high, and Chinese ministries are hosting an outreach event this Saturday. It will include fun and games, music, food, and a presentation of the gospel. Pray that our students will be bold in inviting their friends and classmates to attend and pray that the gospel message will capture these teenagers’ hearts.

2. Fall FunFest, our all-church outreach, is coming up on October 31. Ask the Lord to provide everything needed, especially willing workers for that evening. Pray that the focus of everyone involved will be the kingdom of God.

3. Several months ago, scientists were predicting a strong El Niño event this winter with plentiful rain. Lately, they have been backpedaling and saying the drought will continue. Praise the Lord that He, not weather forecasters, decides how much rain southern California will receive this winter. Ask Him to provide abundant rain for our parched land.

4. Pray for someone you know who is nearing the end of life. I, for example, am praying for a neighbor with advanced MS and cancer and for my dad, suffering from Lewy body dementia. Ask the Lord to ease their way, leaving it to Him to determine how.

5. Discuss with the Lord Dave’s sermon on truth. Confess to Him the times you have …
· lied directly and blatantly
· told a “little white lie”
· lied by omission
· lied by deflection
· said one thing and lived another
· said one thing but conveyed the opposite by your body language
· promised but failed to follow through
· chosen comfort over truth
Ask Him for strength to win the battle for truth in all areas of your life.

6. Praise God for the provision of two part-time pastors for the Chinese congregation. Pray for Samuel Shi, who will be graduating from seminary in December, and Ben Lin, an older mentor pastor.

7. The joy of the Lord is my strength. Meditate in prayer on the truth of this line from the song “Holy Is the Lord.” What does the joy of the Lord look like? How do we get it? How does it strengthen us? Seek the joy of the Lord this week and thank Him for it.