Pray More.

This morning at our men’s bible study, one of the guys said something that I wanted to share with you all:

we should pray more.

Good advice. Wise. Needed. True.

But let me tell you the context…he was talking about it, not just in general (though praying more in general would be a good idea too!), but specifically, in terms of our upcoming summer gazebo worship services down at the harbor.

If you don’t know, we’ve got two more Sundays in July (including the QBM this Sunday…see below) – and then it’s on to August, where for 4 out of the 5 Sundays – plus September 7 – we’ll be taking our Sunday worship service outdoors to the gazebo. We’ve done it for 2 summers in a row, and it’s been a great experience so far.

It gives us a chance to take the church outside, and into the world. It gives us a chance to be more of a witness in the community. It gives us a chance to declare the good news of Jesus within earshot of people who might be walking their dogs, playing on the playground, or traveling the Hudson Trail. It gives us a chance to engage with folks who might never step into a church building. It gives us a chance to give a different experience of what the church can be like. It gives us a chance to connect with folks we would never connect with otherwise. It gives us a chance to share the life-giving love of Jesus with those who might not know it or have experienced it before.

And so, we should pray for it.

That was his wisdom – and I think he’s exactly right.

And so that’s what I’m asking you to do today, and then hopefully, through September 7:

pray for the gazebo services. 

What can you pray for, specifically? How can you pray? I’m glad you asked. 

Here’s some ideas:

• Pray for that person who is struggling right now to find their way to the right gazebo service.
• Pray that (even just) one Come & See invite card would end up in the right hand.
• Pray that Jesus’s reputation would be made greater because of us.
• Pray that the weather will be favorable.
• Pray for the person who has quit church but is feeling called to Jesus still.
• Pray for our volunteers to be filled with the Spirit.
• Pray about how you might volunteer.
• Pray that our kids’ invitation to their friends will bring out more and more families.
• Pray that our dog ministry, bagel breakfast, and prayer-stop (details to come) will bear fruit.
• Pray for the person who desperately needs to know that the church can be life-giving to discover that in and through us.
• Pray for that person who needs to hear that Jesus loves them to hear that message in a way that connects with them.
• Pray for our witness in town.
• Pray for the Spirit’s powerful presence.
• Pray that people would come and see Jesus.

Please commit, daily, to praying for the upcoming gazebo services – for at least one of these listed above.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18