Tag: prayer

Guiding congregational prayer

Post author By pastorkelvin
Post date June 20, 2012

Over the last several weeks, there has been more than one occasion for our church to join in united prayer as a congregation in various different ways. Some of them have been ways that we do not see very often. I thought it might be helpful for me to address in a blog article some of the practices that were in evidence as we prayed together.

Praying for Eric and Magda

This last Sunday, we had the privilege of praying for Eric and Magda and family as we commissioned them for short-term mission service in Romania. As pastor, I asked for many to gather around them in front at the altar rail as we laid hands on them and prayed for them. One might ask, “Why do we lay hands on them?” The short answer is simply that it was done that way in the book of Acts. For example, when Barnabas and Saul went on their first missions trip the Bible says that the church at Antioch laid hands on them. “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off” (Ac 13:2-3 NIV). IN the NT, the laying on of hands is also done in conjunction with prayers for receiving the Holy Spirit and prayers for healing. Since a successful missions trip can only happen as the Holy Spirit empowers, it was natural also to lay hands on them as we prayed for the coming missions trip.

As we prayed for Erica and Magda I suggested that we all pray out loud at the same time.

Tags laying on of hands, leadership, pastoral ministry, prayer, united prayer

Journal

In the Word in a New Year

As a new year begins, I always take time to deliberately pray about and plan for my personal devotional life in the coming year. I use the New Year as a time for revamping it so that personal time alone with God does not get stale. Intentional change keeps it fresh and meaningful. Sometimes gifts that I receive are helpful hints. This year I received a book of weekly devotionals called Living by Faith written by a friend from college, David Venable. David was principal of a large Christian school in the Philippines for many years. We have kept in touch through Christmas letters. I plan to read it as part of my devotions this year. I’m looking forward to it.

This year I also believe it is time for me to return to sequential Bible reading—that is reading straight through books or sections of Scripture. I think everyone should do this some years. If you can average 3-4 chapters per day you can read the Bible through in one year. Those not familiar with the timeline of the Bible either need a Bible handbook to help them place the books in history or they might try reading a chronological Bible—a Bible with the texts arranged in historical order. This past year I read Scriptures associated with the devotional book I was using. They were chosen topically. But the key thing is to have a plan for being in Scripture each day. The Holy Spirit works through Scripture to shape our Christian lives.

I find it meaningful to mark in my Bible too. I use children’s color pencils for highlighting and I use pens to make notes as well. I love Bibles with wide margins so I have a place to write. I have noted dates I have prayed through a Scripture for a family member; Scriptures I received as promises on particular occasions; outlines from Bible studies or from sermons I heard; and scribbled notes on a Greek word I looked up, to name a few kinds of notations. It adds immeasurably to my future studies of those same passages.

As I look into 2012 devotions, I think I also need to do more with planning my prayer time.

Tags Bible reading, daily devotions, prayer

Forward Look Journal

October messages planned

In an article written before hurricane Lee, Atlantic magazine had already called 2011: the year of the disaster. Even without the difficult economic times of our year, and the sobering reminder provided by the 10th anniversary of 9/11, the natural disasters of the year have given us all pause to think. I feel led during the month of October to examine the writings of an ancient prophet who spoke to Israel in a time following a natural disaster. The series will begin October 9 and is called the Power of Prayer. The prophet’s name was Joel. October 2 is World Communion Sunday so together with Christians around the world we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper then.

Date	Sermon plan	Scripture
Oct 2	Message: In the Name of Jesus – because of relationship, according to his character, made possible by his provision	Heb. 10:19-25; John 16:23-28
Oct 9	Start a new series from Joel called: The Power of Prayer. The first message: Speaking in a Day of Disaster	Joel 1:1-2:11
Oct 16	Rediscovering the sacred assembly	Joel 2:15-27
Oct 23	Personal repentance: What is it? Pastor Eric preaching	Joel 2:12,13
Oct 30	The valley of decision	Joel 2:28-3:21

Tags disaster, joel, prayer, repentance, sermon series, sermons

Journal Joy Notes Who Am I

Green Lakes Walks

Post author By pastorkelvin
Post date September 20, 2011

My wife and I so much enjoy walking at Green Lakes State Park. Green Lakes is such a gift to all of us. Monday morning was a beautiful early fall day for such a walk. Yes, I know it was technically still summer, but here in Kirkville the feel definitely changed to fall a week or so ago. The smell in the air, the crisp mornings with fog hanging over the corn field across the road from my house, the alternation of clear blue days and soggy gray ones; all tell us that it is September.

Walking and praying go together

Even though Monday was perfect for walking, not many people were out so I was mostly left to my own thoughts. I love to pray aloud as I walk and I did. Holding a conversation with God while meandering on a woodland trail is refreshing at multiple levels. I’m relaxing; I’m breathing fresh air; I’m getting some exercise. I’m also unloading my cares to God and listening for his Spirit’s still small voice of counsel in return. I’m participating in the spiritual work of intercession for others too. There’s something about being out in nature that rejuvenates us all. There’s something about personal times of prayer that does the same. Doing both together is like working a team of horses, the result is more powerful than the sum of the parts.

I’m a nature observer

Another joy of Green Lakes hikes are the nature observations. Being a bird watcher, I’m always on the lookout for rarer birds, especially pileated woodpeckers which are not really rare at Green Lakes. I didn’t see one Monday, only a hairy woodpecker. But, this past summer I saw a male scarlet tanager, one of the few times I have seen one of those in my life. However, it is not just birds that get my attention; I also look at the ferns, the fish, and the fungi among other things. Okay, so I’m a nature nut. I have numerous guide books and sometimes actually look at them too. I prefer to think of myself as simply a good observer.

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Tags Green Lakes, joy, prayer, walks

News Commentary

Why we should pray at the 9/11 event.

Post author By pastorkelvin
Post date September 15, 2011

http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2011/09/09/bloomberg-sundays-911-ceremony-a-civil-not-religious-occasion/

I do not agree with Mayor Bloomsburg that there should have been no prayers at the official 9/11 remembrance time.

Ken Klulowski wrote: “Bloomberg’s sad exclusion of all prayer and clergy from the 9/11 ceremony is also illustrative of something much broader: political correctness increasingly means intolerance and exclusion of Christians from public life in our society. We see this in bans on prayer at veterans’ funerals in Houston, as well as in criticism of Governor Rick Perry’s day of prayer event.” (from <http://www.frc.org/op-eds/excluding-prayer-from-911-memorial-compounds-the-tragedy-of-that-day>)

I personally believe that exclusion of Christian clergy from public events such as the 10th anniversary of 9/11 is a violation of the rights
of the vast majority of Americans who are Christians to freely practice their religion. To artificially restrict what
would naturally happen; that is to have the religious leaders of the majority express prayers on behalf of the majority, is to truncate the rights of the
majority to express their faith. The truth is that we cannot get away from choosing a faith. What we are doing in America is enshrining a
faith called atheism in our public events. The public exercise of a particular faith does not of itself persecute a minority. The public exercise of a faith in a natural way does not of itself establish a religion, it simply expresses it. This is what the First Amendment protects.

Tags 9/11, first amendment, freedom of religion, prayer

Americana Journal

A Prayer on 9/11/11

Post author By pastorkelvin
Post date September 11, 2011

We prayed this prayer in our services this morning for this 10 year anniversary remembrance of 9/11.

Our heavenly Father, source of our strength, protector of our homeland, ultimate giver of all prosperity; to you we come on this anniversary of one of the greatest tragedies in the history of our country. We come humbly; confessing our unworthiness, our failures as a nation to follow your laws and uphold your values. Yet we come to you, because we know you are the ultimate source of life, and blessing, and protection.

On this day we remember again the families of the victims of 9/11. Undoubtedly the remembrances of this day open tragic memories which only you can heal. May your comfort and encouragement be theirs as we pray for them.

We come to you also today on behalf of current public servants whom we remember especially on this day. We pray for firefighters, police, ambulance personnel, and homeland security workers. We ask that you would give them strength, wisdom, spiritual guidance, and divine protection. We pray that you would grant them success in their work. Thank you for their selfless sacrifice as they serve us working for public safety.

Our Father, we remember today also on this 10th anniversary of 9/11 that ever since that day our country has been continuously at war. We are reminded to pray for our soldiers wherever they are. We pray especially for those in Iraq and Afghanistan that they may sense your presence daily and be shielded by your power. We plead also for the leaders of our country that they may have wisdom to guide our country out of war and into peace.

We seek your face for your blessing on our country. Above all others our country has been blessed. Thank you for the safety that you have granted to our country in the last 10 years. Thank you for the prosperity that we enjoy. Thank you for the privilege of freedom of worship. We pray that you would help us so to live that you would be pleased to continue to bless our country. May our moral example and spiritual passion strengthen the fabric our nation Help us to preserve our freedoms; and help us to be able to pass to those who follow us a nation that is even stronger than it is today.

We pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, King over all nations, AMEN

Tags 9/11, patriotism, prayer

Americana Forward Look Journal

September sermon series to be called Preserving America

Post author By pastorkelvin
Post date September 7, 2011

I’ve been planning our September service emphasis to go along with the 10^th anniversary of 9/11 which we are all marking this next Sunday. Most of us remember exactly where we were when we first heard the news of the devastation caused by the terrorists’ depraved acts. The tragedy moved us all to greater prayer and increased awareness of our collective spiritual needs. Suddenly prayer and patriotism were close companions. Had we known at that time the 10 years of war and trouble which the enemy’s actions have precipitated, we would have been even more dedicated to prayer than we were. Yet, unfortunately, such openness to God and dedication to prayer have not been maintained or nourished in most of our cultural landscape. Instead we have seen unprecedented decline in moral values and an increasing chasm between government and faith. Now the occasion of this 10 year remembrance provides a time for us to regain our perspective; to once again call upon God on behalf of our country, and to draw closer to Him for ourselves as well. I am praying that this series will help us to regain our spiritual fervor.

September sermon series – Preserving America
Date	Title	Text	Key Question
Sep. 11	Remembering	Ps 37	Who does God say inherits the land?
Sep. 18	Recommitting	1 Tim. 2:1-8; Titus 3:1-8	How do we live in a post-Christian America?
Sep. 25	Protecting and Preserving	Eph. 6:10-24	How do we protect and preserve America?

Tags 9/11, prayer, sermon series

Forward Look

New Midweek Study Series Planned

Post author By pastorkelvin
Post date February 8, 2011

Prayer Team leader, Larry Nemitz, and I have recently chosen a new series for Wednesday evenings. Intercessors’ Group had completed their series, When You Don’t Know What To Pray, and needed another. The title of our new study is `The Biblical Way of the Cross,’ a series of meditations on the last week of Jesus’ life. Since Lent was fast approaching this seemed very appropriate.

What is the series about?

Continue reading “New Midweek Study Series Planned”

Tags Intercessors' Group, Lent, prayer, Stations of the Cross

Church Leadership Journal Joy Notes

My Results of Fasting and Prayer through Pray & Act

Post author By pastorkelvin
Post date November 1, 2010
2 Comments on My Results of Fasting and Prayer through Pray & Act

I have been participating in the national Pray & Act emphasis led by Jim Garlow and Chuck Colson. October 30 marked the formal end of this forty-day fasting and prayer effort on behalf of sanctity of life, sanctity of marriage and religious liberty. While some key leaders such as Jim Garlow were on a liquids-only fast for the entire 40 days, everyone was asked to fast in some way as health requirements and God’s leading dictated. Daily emails and attached video clips have edified and inspired participation.

Prayer & Action

My fasting commitment was one 32-36 hr fast (water/apple juice/tea only) per week. I have completed that and have decided to continue it until the week before Thanksgiving. I have not talked about my fasting, but have decided I needed to write about it for an example. Other actions included signing the Manhattan Declaration, praying much in public and private about marriages and our country, becoming more knowledgeable on political candidates, blogging about issues such as sanctity of life and sanctity of marriage, standing up in the annual Life Chain demonstration, speaking for the causes in public messages and prayers, and voting with them in mind tomorrow, God willing.

Deeper Renewal

I have found some things happening that I did not expect from my prayer and fasting commitment. First, I have felt a greater closeness to God in prayer and a stronger identity with his cause in the world. At the same time, I am hungry for more of Him. Second, I have found myself praying more at times that were not particularly scheduled times of prayer – just talking to God about the issues on my heart – crying out to him for needs that came to my attention or that were impressed upon me to pray for. Third, I noticed as I and we as a congregation and people across the nation prayed for God to uphold the sanctity of marriage in our nation, God moved mightily during these forty days to expose deep needs in marriages in our own church. We felt the fruit of this overall effort. I have had multiple opportunities for counsel and correction. These are opportunities for me but especially for the couples involved. That is one reason I am continuing the fast. I see the need for much more healing of relationships by God’s power. I believe this period of prayer and fasting was a big part of why these breakthroughs are happening. God is answering prayer for the sanctity of marriage.