On this rainy Friday afternoon, I’m impressed with the need to pray for you, both individually and collectively. Below is my prayer for you, as well as three “Week In-Review” news items that I believe will interest you and benefit your walk with Jesus Christ.
My Prayer For You…
Oh grace-giving and faithful Father in heaven,
Thank you for loving us with the depth and unblemished quality of love that you would send your Son Jesus Christ to buy us back from the marketplace of sin and death. I praise you for bringing us into new life through Your Son and giving us a living and assured hope for eternity. Thank you for pouring out abundant and unstoppable grace on our lives, so much that our hearts overflow with gratitude to You and love toward others.
I ask that You, by the power of the Holy Spirit, would prepare the people of Mayfair for action on Your mission. Guard us against the temptations and allurements of the world system. Keep our teachers and leaders grounded in purity of life and doctrine. Continue to progressively develop us into people that reflect the life of Jesus Christ. Unify us in mind and heart and mission – to the praise of Your glorious grace. Amplify the message and mercy of Your Son Jesus through our interactions at work, among friends, and within our neighborhoods.
I pray that You will focus our mind’s attention and our heart’s affection on the hope of eternity so that we live today on the path of Your agenda, rather than our own ambition. Open our eyes to see past our busyness to the lost, hurting, and empty lives around us. Open our hearts to ache with compassion for the masses who are outside of your love, light, and life. Open our hands to reach with mercy to help the needy with the money, food, or clothing You have given us to use for Your name, not our gain.
As we gather on Sunday to worship You…
May our singing bring you delight,
May our praying be honest, not trite, and
May our teaching bear fruit in life…
To you, our Father, through Jesus Christ the Son, and by the power of the Spirit, I pray this prayer, Amen.
Week In-Review
- This past Wednesday marked the passing of Billy Graham at 99 years of age. In an age of scandal and compromise, he remained faithful to his family, Christ, and the simplicity of the Gospel. By God’s grace, He finished well. While we would likely differ with him on some points, there is no doubt that He was used by God to draw millions of people to faith in Christ. Here’s what he said we should think when we hear this news: “Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.” I encourage to read Dr. Russell Moore’s piece on the life and legacy of Bill Graham: Billy Graham Bore Witness for 99 Years.
- Last week I wrote an article containing my pastoral reflections on the tragic school shooting in Parkland, Florida: “My wife and I are in deep sadness over the death of 17 students and teachers in Parkland, Florida at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. We’re also grieved by the fact that the gunman, Nikolas Cruz, had a long history of mental illness and had been diagnosed with autism. Reports show he regularly faced rejection from classmates and neighbors. Every part of this story is incredibly sad and heart-wrenching. But while many will weigh-in to talk about political, legal, and psychological factors, I want to go back to a foundational issue, which is actually theological…”. continuing reading by click HERE: Shun the Violence.
- 75 years ago yesterday, a brother and sister were murdered by Hitler’s regime in Munich, Germany for standing up for Christian truth and justice. 18 year-old author, Sara Barratt writes, “They risked and lost, fought and failed, but not without leaving a lasting imprint. Their names were Hans and Sophie Scholl. . . . they formed the White Rose, a student-led resistance movement…. May their spirit live on in our generation, as we—to quote Sophie—’stand up for what [we] believe in, even if it means standing alone.’ ” Continue reading their powerful story HERE: The Incredible Story of Hans and Sophie Scholl
See you Sunday, Mayfair Bible Church family! Pssssst… We’re kicking off the 9:30am service with a baptism!
In Christ Alone,
