Prayer

Focus on Prayer

May, 2010

By the Spiritual Life Committee

We know our Father wants us to come to Him in prayer and that this is an important aspect of our relationship with Him. When something is this important -- this vital-- it is natural for us to dedicate ourselves to it.

However, Roy Lawrence (advisor on prayer to a British bishop) comments that sometimes, in our dedication to prayer, we may begin to think of it as hard work -- as "striving." Lawrence urges us to realize that prayer "has more to do with resting than with striving." He reminds us of Jesus' invitation to "Come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest." Lawrence asks us to consider the passage in John 15 in which Jesus presents the image of a vine and branches. The branch bears fruit not by striving or agonizing, but simply by abiding and resting.

These are lovely thoughts. They reassure us that prayer need not require great striving on our part --- but rather, a peaceful time of drawing near to our Father -- of resting in His presence, of abiding in His love.

Sandra

Prayer Focus for May:

For hearts that draw near our Father in childlike prayer, content and restful in His presence.

Spiritual Life Prayer Group

Meets in the Prayer Room

Sunday, June 6

at Noon

Requesting Your Continued Help

One of the desires of the Spiritual Life Committee is to maintain weekly contact with persons within our congregation who are unable to be at church for extended periods of time and also with those who are dealing with serious health concerns.

We ask for your continued help in making us aware of who these people are within our church family. The 2010 committee members are listed below. Please feel free to contact any of us if you know of someone within our congregation who should be included in our weekly contacts. We appreciate your input into this part of our ministry.

2010 Spiritual Life Committee:

Kelli Cosner

Lora Hesson

Carolyn Riddle

Bonnie Smith

Sandra Sullivan, chairperson

Please click here to send your prayer request to the church.
You don't need to state the nature of the request if you do not want to.
If a prayer request has been answered, or the need no longer exists,
please forward the notice to the church office at the above link.

By the Spiritual Life Committee