How do we pray when we have a big event coming up? Do we pray differently than when the time comes for the event to actually happen? What matters most as we anticipate something like a day of serving? Of course we want to pray for safety, for cooperation, for good connections to be made, for God to be glorified... really once I start thinking about what we could pray for, it feels like the list is endless. So many ways to pray.
Maybe though, part of the power of prayer is that each of us tend to think of different things. Each of us has a slightly different perspective. As we all offer the prayers that come to mind, each one is perhaps like a piece of the puzzle, and they are all needed. It's yet another way that the Body of Christ can function like a body - one body, with many parts. Each of the prayers we pray can be like one part. So they all matter.
Maybe it's not so much that I need to come up with the one right and "best" way to pray. Maybe what matters is simply that I pray, knowing that whatever I have to offer is the gift of myself praying the prayers God gives me to pray. And what makes them beautiful is that they are the living out of me fulfilling my part in the Body of Christ.
What is on your heart to pray? When you think of Serve-a-Thon, does something come to mind to pray for? Don't assume someone else will pray for that thing. It may well be it came to your mind because you are the one who is to be offering that prayer. It may be the prayer God gave you to pray.
As you can see, Serve-a-Thon is kind of the big thing on my mind to be praying for these days when it comes to things happening in the ACSD community. But honestly, I believe this principle of praying as a community applies in all kinds of situations. Is there a big thing happening within your family? Or your neighborhood? Or your church? Even if there is just one other person praying with you, the two of you together each have something to offer. Something unique. Something powerful.
So whatever perspective you have to offer in prayer, bring it with joy, knowing that no one else will pray exactly like you will. And that is part of what makes it beautiful.
During these last weeks leading up to Serve-a-Thon, I am collecting prayers from people throughout the ACSD community. If you would be willing to offer a prayer (however short or long you'd like), you can click here to share it or record a voice memo and email it to me at cwarner@alliancechristian.org.
Here is one of those prayers that I invite you to pray along with me...
Dear Lord, please bless those who serve you. Those who call upon the name of Christ for clarity of that which you have called them to. Those who are part of the Serve-a-Thon for clear guidance for the mission you have laid out for them. Give them strength to persevere in that calling and fulfill your wishes. In Jesus name, Amen
~ shared by Duncan DeVore, WCA Parent
Thanks for taking the time to read this blog and pray for Alliance Christian School District! Lord willing, I plan to publish a new blog post weekly on Wednesdays throughout the school year. Feel free to subscribe (at the bottom of this page) if you'd like to be notified each time a new blog post has been published. We also have a prayer team that is always open for new pray-ers to join. If you'd like to learn more, email me at cwarner@alliancechristian.org.
~ Carrie Warner, ACSD Prayer Team Coordinator
Soli Deo Gloria
To God alone be the glory
