Women's Ministries Weekly Prayer Circle
You have my deepest thanks for looking to this webpage for the prayer needs of Grace Church Women's Ministries. These requests are emailed weekly to those who have asked to be included and are updated on the website. Please contact me at sraia@atgrace.com if you would like to receive the Prayer Circle emails. I truly believe that growing in grace is growing in dependence on our God. Thank you for joining me in this expression of that dependence.
-Sue Raia
Women's Ministries Director
Grace Church Eden Prairie
Eden Prairie, MN 55347
952-224-3118
August 21, 2008
My Dear Prayer Circle,
After my little epiphany last week about stop signs, all the street signs I encounter have now taken on new meanings! It’s made my commute go a lot faster as I see them and consider what the Lord might want to say to me through them. Is there an area where I have not come into submission and need to YIELD? Do I need to be reminded that there is only ONE WAY or am I trying to DETOUR around His perfect plan for me? Is He trying to fill some holes in my understanding or build some new strength in me in my personal CONSTRUCTION ZONE? Let me challenge you, if it’s not too distracting, to let God speak to you through the signs you may see along the roadway. I don’t want to over-spiritualize here but just to remind you that He is always speaking if we have ears to listen.
Join me in praising Him today for:
- The Prayer Summit last Saturday. What a precious time of worship and prayer together and time alone with the King. Details fell into place well; Kimberly did a great job of leadership with Karen and Cathy adding so much in their support of her. Most importantly women really felt they had heard from their God. Another big praise!
- The Women's Ministries Expo last night. It was such a delight to see women of all ages and stages gathering, chatting, and exploring the opportunities for the fall. Susie Larson was a terrific speaker with a great message and her being with us was totally His doing. Praise Him!
- Registrations for all our fall ministries and leadership positions being filled. It was exciting to see 13 registrations for our new working women’s group, Refuel, just last night.
- A new offering this fall for women who desire to work in the Tuesday morning Children’s Program and also take part in a study. The new live study being taught by Jennie Coughlin will include the chance to meet Mondays with the entire Bible study leadership team, be part of the discussion of that week’s study of Philippians led by Jennie and then serve on Tuesdays, receiving a CD of Jennie’s lecture to listen to at home. (Please let me know if you might be interested in this opportunity.)
And please pray with me for:
- Eileen Anderson, wife of Jeff Anderson. Jeff is Dave Gibson’s right hand man and handles all of the logistics for our missions trips. He’s also a huge supporter of Women's Ministries. Eileen was in the office almost every day preceding the Peru trip helping with details. Upon our return from Peru, she was discovered to have a large abdominal mass. Surgery Monday revealed an invasive cancer requiring a total hysterectomy, and the removal of portions of both large and small intestines. Most of the cancer was removed. She is in a great deal of pain now and we pray that God would bring her comfort, healing and strength.
- The preparations for fall ministry kick-offs. Now we begin with registrations and planning for the ministries that will all begin in September. We trust our faithful God to give direction to every detail so that each offering would glorify Him and not just be another event on the calendar.
- The Moppets program and Children’s Program that continue to be in need of workers. We know He has chosen the women, we just need them to hear His call.
- A personal request. Sam and I will bring our youngest daughter to college in California next Wednesday. We’re going a couple days early to shop for all the things she’ll need and get her settled in the dorm at Azusa Pacific in LA. We pray that God would give us a wonderful time together and that we will all embrace the beginning of this new chapter.
With great thanks for the huge part you play in Women's Ministries here at Grace Church,
Sue
August 15, 2008
My Dear Prayer Circle,
As I look out my window I see the stop sign at the corner and it caused me to pause and think about how valuable it is. Having just returned from Peru where stop signs, lines on the street and other traffic controls are merely suggestions, I really appreciate our American system. Though we weren’t driving in Lima, the chaos on the streets was unbelievable. It’s a reminder to me of the value of stopping…before I move into my day, before I undertake a new task, before I open my mouth. Timing is everything. I need to come to a complete stop. I need to evaluate what’s coming...from every direction. And only proceed when I see that the way is clear. That may sound overly cautious. But I’ve seen what happens when a stop sign isn’t taken seriously…whether in Peru or in my life. Horns honk. Accidents happen. And chaos abounds. Today I’m treasuring stop signs!
Join me in praising God for:
- The wonderful memories of the Peru trip and the heart eager to return.
- Great meetings this week with ministry leaders as we prepare for the fall.
- The Advisory Council meeting last week that gave very helpful direction in many areas.
- Sharon’s efficiency and extra hours devoted to preparations for tomorrow’s Prayer Summit.
And please pray with me for:
- The Prayer Summit and all who will attend. We ask God to touch each woman in His own special way that they might find this day with Him to be the highlight of their summer.
- For Kimberly, Cathy and Karen as they facilitate, that they would be in unity and hear directly from Him.
- For the Women's Ministries Expo on Wednesday night. We have no idea how many to expect but again are trusting God to do His work in that evening. We pray for Susie Larson, our special speaker, that she will challenge us to be “uncommon women”.
- Leadership needs in many areas for the fall…especially in the Children’s Program and Moppets Program.
Thank you, my dear sisters, for carrying this ministry with me to the Throne Room.
Hope to see you tomorrow at the Prayer Summit. Registrations are taken at the door but no meals can be provided.
With thanks!
Sue
August 8, 2008
My Dear Prayer Circle,
It’s hard to believe that I have actually been to Peru and am back sitting at my desk. In some ways it seems like a dream. But the memories are very vivid and the faces of the people of Peru remain before my eyes. If you have been on a mission trip you know how hard it is to relate to others exactly what you experienced. All I can say is that God was there at every turn, guiding our plans for each day, giving us wonderful joy and unity as a Women's Ministry Team, and touching the Peruvians through us.
A couple of Scriptures capture some of what went on: Psalm 113:7 “He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap…” Lima is a dessert (I didn’t know that) and everything was dirty and dusty in the slums where we were ministering. The people may have remained in the dust after we left, but we trust that their spirits were lifted and ultimately they will be welcomed onto streets of gold.
And in Psalm 36:7 “How priceless is your unfailing love. Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.” As I mentioned, the Women's Ministry Team was assigned to work with the medical team most of the week. Part of the very intentional plan of our medical work there is using doctors and med students as our translators. We were paired up with these young men and women both on the buses and in our ministry, so as we rode to and from our venues we built relationships with them and when we were at our venues they translated the gospel for us as we shared. At one Bible study, a young woman doctor was translating the testimony of one of our women with tears in her eyes. These are young people at the highest level of society in Lima and this is a brilliant way to reach them. We are trusting God to keep these relationships strong, that we might return one day to see the fruit of these seeds among the “high” classes of Peru.
Please join me in praising God for:
- His all sufficiency in our work in Peru. He truly did watch over our coming and going.
- The privilege of living in the USA. In spite of what many may say, “there’s no place like home.” We take so much for granted.
- Details of ministry while I was away were all handled beautifully by Sharon and the support team that remained behind.
And we come before Him asking:
- That He would get me quickly back into the tasks that lay before me.
- Him to bring exactly the women of His choosing to the Prayer Summit and for the leadership of the Summit (Kimberly DeVries, Cathy Wassenaar and Karen Anderson) to hear directly from Him as they lead.
- That the details of the Expo would be under His control. Never having done this before, it seems overwhelming.
- For the 10 -12 women needed to staff the Children’s Program each week on Tuesday morning. This is becoming a critical need as the days pass. More workers are also needed for the MOPS program on Thursday mornings twice a month.
- That God would draw the women He has prepared into small group leadership of the morning and evening Bible studies.
“Thank you” certainly doesn’t seem enough to tell you how much your prayers have meant to me and Women's Ministries each week. It is so clear that nothing would be accomplished without your prayers.
God bless you all!
Sue
July 24, 2008
My Dear Prayer Circle,
Well, here I am with only two days until our departure for Peru. I confess lots of nerves as I prepare to step out in new territory. I know He is truly working to stretch my trust in Him as sufficient in ALL things. And He continues to remind me that everything is under His control. One of my biggest worries has been the airport stuff. Being the “Travel Captain” has kept me in the dither of “what-ifs” as I’m responsible for the team members on our flight getting there and back safely and efficiently. And so today I am reminded in one of my favorite Psalms – 121 “The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Why does it surprise me that He’s “reading my mind” and knowing just what I need to hear from Him? What a gracious God we serve!
So join me in praising Him today:
- For being omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent and MORE than sufficient while still ministering in such gentle ways.
- For the safe arrival of Pastor Dobbs and family.
- For a great meeting with the Prayer Summit Team planning our one-day Summit, August 16. We’re trusting Him for another very special day with our King.
- For our last Peru team meeting on Sunday and the packing of our extra ministry bags. PTL we were able to get all the supplies in extra bags without any overweight pieces.
- For details for the Expo which continue to fall into place.
And we ask the Lord together for:
- Safety, health and fruitful ministry in Peru for every member of our Grace Church Team and especially for the Women's Ministries Team.
- For Sharon and rest of the staff that remains behind…there aren’t many!...that they, too, would find our God sufficient for all their needs.
- That many women would set aside August 16 as a day fully dedicated to our Lord.
- Continued needs in the childcare areas Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
Your prayers always mean so much to me but especially now! We are in the exact same time zone as MN so as you think of us throughout the day you can imagine what we might be doing. The Grace Church website will have regular updates and prayer requests.
In awe of His grace,
Sue
July 10, 2008
My Dear Prayer Circle,
I hope you all had a restful and relaxing 4th of July holiday. Wasn’t the weather beautiful? How blessed we were!
We were with friends during the weekend and at one meal time prayer one of our friends thanked the Lord for our freedom and independence and then said “and now Lord we declare our total dependence upon you.” What a perfect thought on a weekend when we focus on all we have been set free from…to remember that we now can, by an act of our will, commit ourselves to being a bondservant of our God, totally dependant upon Him. And what security there is in that. If we are enslaved against our will, we will always fight against the restraints, but when we choose dependence we have great joy as a servant of our Lord. If you have a moment, check out all the references to ‘servant’ in your concordance. I know it will bless you as it did me.
So let’s begin with praise for:
- Our freedom to be dependent on our Master.
- A great meeting with the Prayer Summit Planning Committee. Things are falling into place for our second annual “Day with the King”.
- The first meeting of our Working Women’s Steering Committee. God has assembled a wonderful group of godly women with great ideas and insights as we launch this ministry. Special thanks to the Lord for Alyson who has been so gifted in organization and is so dedicated to this ministry.
- A terrific message at our Staff Prayer this week about “setting our minds on things above” as we prepare for the arrival of Pastor Dobbs. We were challenged by Brian Vaughan’s father-in-law, a pastor in the area, to “calibrate” ourselves to the direction of our new leader; that is up to us to adapt to him as God’s chosen leader, not his responsibility to adapt to us. We are excited to come under his leadership even though it may mean change and adjustment on our part.
And join me in praying for:
- The Peru Women's Ministries Team dinner at my house on Saturday. Please pray that our hearts would continue to be knit together and that we would encourage and build one another up.
- Sharon as she handles the mountain of administrative details for August events and fall planning. It can be so overwhelming. Pray that everything will fall easily into place for us.
- Continued recruitment for Children’s program workers and discussion group leaders.
- Many new women to register for our one-day Prayer Summit. Last year there were so many who had not experienced a Prayer Summit and were so blessed by setting aside “A Day with the King.” May God especially call those He knows desperately need this day with Him.
- Details for the Women's Ministries Expo. Any time we try something new, I get a little anxious.
- Pastor and Cheri Dobbs and family who will be in town July 19. Let’s continue to lift them up and pray for their transition. Click here for a note from Barb Rengel, one of the members of the Pulpit Committee, that some of you may wish to respond to.
Thanks so much for your prayers! I depend on them.
Be blessed today,
Sue
July 3, 2008
My Dear Prayer Circle,
Thanks so much for your faithfulness in prayer while I was in Michigan. I enjoyed a wonderful time welcoming our beautiful granddaughter, Julia, and playing with her big brother. Mom and baby are doing well and we do praise God for the amazing miracle of life and of healing for our daughter’s C-section.
This week reading in Psalm 31, verse 19 struck me in a new way. “How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you…” It reminded me that sometimes we need to wait for all that goodness He is storing up for us. We know that God is good ALL THE TIME but sometimes we don’t see it or feel it. It’s in those times we just go on by faith, trusting that He is storing up bountiful blessings that He will pour out on us in His time. It was just a year ago that our daughter was enduring the dark days of a miscarriage and now she is holding this bundle of goodness that He was storing up for her all along.
So for those days of “famine”, remember the bounty He is storing up for you to give you at just the right time. He is faithful.
Please join me in praising Him for:
- This great land we are privileged to live in. May we never forget the lives that were given that we may live free. And more importantly, may we never forget the Life that was given that we might live free in Christ. The price for freedom is very high.
- The wonderful gift of Pastor Dobbs and his family that the Lord was holding in His storehouse for us over these last months of waiting.
- Cheri Dobbs who has agreed to be the speaker for our Christmas Brunch in December. What a great chance for the women of Grace and their friends to get to know our new pastor’s wife who has a great heart for Women's Ministries.
- Summer Bible studies. We continue to rejoice that over 100 women are participating in the studies faithfully and enthusiastically. I’m especially thankful for those who have said that summertime is really the only time that they can participate and truly appreciate this opportunity.
- And personally, for my time in Michigan. Not only was it a precious time but I had asked for prayer that changing to an earlier flight would not be more costly…and they actually refunded me part of the fare because of the medical emergency. PTL.
And we pray for:
- Important planning meetings next week for the One-Day Prayer Summit and for the Working Women’s group. We truly desire His wisdom and direction as we move ahead in both areas.
- Final publicity and planning for the Women’s Ministry Expo in August. So much needs to be accomplished now since things will move quickly when we return from Peru.
- For our Women's Ministries Peru Team. I think we are all a little overwhelmed by the fact that is now so close. The plans I originally conceived for what we could do in Peru have been set aside and we will need to be very flexible in following the leadership’s desires for us. We trust God to still use us in ministering His love and compassion to the women of Lima through His plans, not ours.
- Children’s Program and Moppets workers for Bible study and our MOPS program. Pray that God will touch the women He has chosen to minister to these little ones so that their moms can be in the Word.
- Cheri Dobbs. Please remember to lift up Cheri and all that she must be going through as they leave their Florida church and plan for a new beginning here…for the sale of their home, the packing, the planning, the children’s adjustment to leaving friends. Let’s begin embracing her with prayer now even before she joins us in August.
Forever thankful for your prayers,
Sue
June 12, 2008
My Dear Prayer Circle,
How good it is to the see the sun this morning! We had such a violent thunderstorm in our area last night I was sure I’d see damage this morning but thankfully, not so. It brought to mind the wide variety of things the Lord brings our way. Certainly not always days of sunshine, but also not continuous unbroken storms. This has been a hard week personally… you’ve been there, I’m sure. The words of Job come to mind: “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.” (Job 2:10) When Scripture assures us that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him” (Rom 8:28), I believe our greatest good is to be conformed to Christ’s image. That does not come without pain. Have you heard that there is no testimony without a test? So, by faith, we praise our God for the storms He has allowed, praying for no permanent damage, but only growth in Him.
And praise the Lord with me for:
- Additional women joining our Bible studies. How encouraging it is to see women desiring to stay in the Word in the more unstructured days of summer. It’s also wonderful to see how the Lord has put the discussion groups together with women ministering to women.
- Our summer Bible study leaders. What a wonderful group of women we have who are capable, compassionate and dedicated to service.
- A great Women's Ministries Peru Team meeting on Sunday. Connie Dummer of Wooddale gave us some great insights in her very personable style.
- This storm-free day for Sharon’s (our Women's Ministries Assistant) garage sale for the Peru trip. We anticipated the terrible weather that was forecast and this is a gift.
And please join me in praying for:
- Bible study break next week for VBS, that the women will stay faithful to their studies, taking extra time to make applications to their lives.
- Preparations for the August Women's Ministries Expo: publicity, planning, peace.
- Preparations for the August One-Day Prayer Summit…again that all planning and preparation will fall into place.
- For Sharon and her husband, Jay, as they again lead the Grace Church Family Camp the first week in July.
- For Sharon in my absence. Pray that everything goes smoothly and she will have the help she needs to do whatever comes her way.
- And personally, for me and my family. I had planned to leave Sunday for Michigan to be with our daughter and family for her scheduled C-Section on the 17th. She called today and said they plan on taking the baby today. They just determined she’s been leaking amniotic fluid for a week and they need to deliver our little granddaughter. Please pray for safety for mom and baby. Pray that I can get on an earlier flight without extra cost and for my dear husband and daughter as I leave just before our house goes on the market on Monday. Yikes!
How true it is that we never know what the Lord will bring our way in each day. But we continue to trust in His perfect love and sovereignty!
Thanks so much for your faithfulness in prayer,
Sue
June 5, 2008
My Dear Prayer Circle,
I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that our department spent a day in prayer at the Arboretum. In our group time together at the end of our day, Clark instructed us to spend the first 15 minutes of every work day in prayer for God’s direction personally and on our ministry. This was to be separate from our regular quiet time and specifically devoted to His direction for our work. I’ve found this to be a wonderful blessing each day. I began looking in the concordance each day for a verse involving “leading”, chose one, wrote it at the top of my “To Do” list and meditated on it before praying for God’s direction. This week I decided to look under “guide”, which I thought was really a synonym for lead but was struck by the subtle difference. Guidance takes on more intimacy, a more personal touch, side-by-side… while being led makes me think of keeping my eyes on one who is going before.
The dictionary says: “Guide implies intimate knowledge of the way and of all its difficulties and dangers. Lead implies showing the way and often keeping those that follow under control.” I love how Psalm 23 uses both: “He leads me beside quiet waters”; “He guides me in paths of righteousness.” WE praise Him for leading and guiding us as we seek to do His will personally and in our Ministries.
I’m overwhelmed with praise this week for:
- The announcement that we will have a Pastoral Candidate visiting us in only two weeks! Praise God for the diligent work of the Pulpit Committee (especially the women) who have given so many hours in prayer and participation on this Committee.
- Jennie Coughlin who has agreed to be a live teaching leader in one of our Bible studies in the 2008-09 ministry year. This is an answer to my prayers over the last two years and He has given us an amazing, gifted, godly woman.
- We decided that we needed to add another discussion group to our evening study and God again gave me a wonderful willing leader with my first call.
- We have approximately 100 women in our summer studies… almost three times the number we had last year. A couple of the evening studies which we thought we might have to cancel last week actually exceeded our numbers and we ran out of books! He is so good.
- Susie Larson, a speaker and author of several books, has agreed to be part of our Women's Ministries Expo in August at no charge.
And please join me in praying for:
- Our Peru Team training this Sunday on cross cultural sensitivity and the special Women's Ministries Team training with Connie Dummer sharing her experiences both on many short-term mission trips and in her professional counseling of women. Pray that God will give Connie direction in what she will share with us and that we will have listening and attentive ears. It does get to be a long day when we’re here from morning on to 4 PM on Sunday. We pray also that we would all stay in the word and prayer in our spiritual preparation for the trip.
- The wife of our Pastoral Candidate, that she would have peace and joy as she anticipates a possible move and that she would be warmly welcomed by the women of Grace Church.
- All of the women attending our studies, especially those who do not yet know the Lord. We pray also for the women who are leading the studies to be blessed for the time they have dedicated this summer to serve others.
- Preparations for the ministry Expo and One-Day Prayer Summit in August.
- Final details to fall into place for all of our fall studies and especially for the choice of studies Jennie will be doing. We are planning on a New Testament book that she will teach verse by verse. Also please pray that God would guide the calendar of studies and events for 2008-09.
This week’s Prayer Update concludes our second year of joining in prayer for the concerns of Women's Ministries. There have been almost 100 pages of prayer requests over that time. Many of you have been praying since the start as I mark the end of my second year as Director. I am still convinced that God chose such a weak vessel that all praise would go to Him and that the greatest work of the ministry would be done on our knees.
To Him be the glory and to you be great thanks!
Sue
May 21, 2008
My dear Prayer Circle,
So sorry I didn’t get a note out to you last week. As many of you know, we are in the process of preparing our home for sale and the “de-cluttering” has been my after-work preoccupation. But last week I needed to take a whole day off with my daughter in her room to totally empty it before she left town. NOT a small task. But it did prove to me that no matter how overwhelming a task may seem, it can be accomplished one small step at a time! But as I look at the room now, it is as if the life has gone out of it. The shell is still there but everything that is her is gone. Scripture talks about “the earthly tent we live in”…our body. I know you have all looked at a lifeless body when the soul has departed and thought, “It’s just not her any more.” And it isn’t. It sounds trite but it’s been a great reminder that the stuff on the inside is what really matters, what makes us who we are. We need to take care of this tent we live in, but one day we will all leave it behind to go on to our “eternal house in heaven” and He will take care of all the de-cluttering! PTL!
Please join me in praising God.
- Our first networking dinner went great. Several women from Grace attended and the team was very encouraged at the presentation and the enthusiasm of the women who were there.
- The summer training of Bible study leaders went well and we look forward to what He’ll do in each of the studies. Leadership is almost totally in place.
- The first summer study began last week and many are still registering. I praise God for the leadership He’s raised up for the study and their dedication to serve.
- Our Peru trip Women's Ministries Team lunch and evangelism training was very helpful and I’m so blessed to see how the women are growing to love and care for each other.
- A meeting with a woman new to Grace Church. She has so many great experiences and ideas to share and she and Cathy Wassenaar who joined us, are connecting to draw her into the ministries of Grace.
- The plans for fall studies are falling into place and I praise God for the work He has already begun.
- Maria is back to work and we continue to praise God for sparing her life and restoring her to health. It’s wonderful to hear her laughter in the office again.
And we intercede together.
- Our Department will be taking a day away for prayer tomorrow. Pray that we will all be responsive to Him and what He desires for us each in this time. (PTL for the great weather forecast since we’ll be at the Arboretum.)
- We pray for the registrations for summer Bible study to continue, especially in the three smaller studies.
- For Alyson and me as we meet on Sunday to prepare for our first meeting of the prayer/steering committee for working women. We pray His guidance on each step of this ministry and several decisions that need to be made.
- For the Children’s program as they recruit the 6 new leaders needed for Tuesday mornings and MOPS leadership as they, too, look for those who will care for the children in MOPPETS.
Sincere thanks as always for joining me in the throne room.
Have a blessed Memorial Day weekend,
Sue
May 8, 2008
My Dear Prayer Circle,
It’s interesting that the Lord opened up a Scripture to me this week in much the same way as last week. Last week it was a “so that” verse and this week it’s, “in order that.” In 2 Corinthians 2: 11, Paul says he has forgiven “in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” Pastor Clark has said that unforgiveness is at the root of almost all marriage problems and that makes such sense in light of this scripture. If Satan can cause us to hang on to our bitterness and resentment, the wound will fester and spread.
It always feels good when I’m in a situation and can see clearly that it is the enemy at work, not any individual, and I can address my anger at him, determined that he won’t get any ground in the circumstances. We can’t let him outwit us. So when we feel it is our right to withhold forgiveness, just remember whose scheme we’re falling prey to and defeat him with the obedience of forgiveness. I know you’ve heard: “Forgiveness is setting the captive free and finding that the captive was you.” I’ve attached an article that Kip Wahlquist wrote for an e-news devotional at the end of last year. If you’d like to go a bit deeper in this area, it’s very worth the few minutes it will take to read.
Please praise the Lord with me:
- For Him who forgave us first!
- For an excellent training presented by the Jablonski’s to our Women's Ministries Peru Team last Sunday. I know their insights will be very helpful in Peru but I have already been able to use some of what they taught during a counseling session this week.
- For the whole Women's Ministries Peru Team. Part of an email I received today said: “Each week I'm becoming more and more excited for what God will do through us and to us not only during the trip, but also as we prepare.” Our prayers are already being answered!
- For Carol Dannenberg, a missionary to Peru, who joined one of the team members and me for dinner this week. We learned even more about what we might expect on the trip and how best to minister.
- That Maria is now home and well on her road to recovery. It has been such a difficult journey but God has been faithful in that she has endured things she never would have thought she could.
- For last week’s MOPS closing brunch. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and sharing and ALL the childcare needs were covered!
And we pray:
- That God will give us the strength to forgive.
- Tonight for our first networking dinner of women in ministry in the Twin Cities. This is an outgrowth of the monthly meeting of Women's Ministries Directors and Leaders. We pray that it will have great value for all who attend. The speaker will address “Conflict Resolution”.
- For the Global Day of Prayer on Sunday, that we ”will humble ourselves and pray and seek His face” together as His family.
- Tuesday for the training of Bible study leaders for the summer studies and 2-3 slots we still need to fill.
- For Wednesday evening as we begin our 10-week summer study. We pray that God will make a way for everyone He desires to be there to register and commit themselves to this time of study and fellowship.
- For a personal request. I will be on the platform in both services to present a gift to New Life Family Services from the women of Grace in honor of Mother’s Day and I’m really nervous about what I’ll say, how I say it and tripping on the steps J. Please pray for my peace of mind and to get the focus off myself.
Rejoicing with you that we have come together to a prayer-answering God!
Sue
May 1, 2008
My Dear Prayer Circle,
I love it when I’m reading a familiar scripture and something totally new jumps out at me. That happened this morning with 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” Of course, since God is the God of compassion He desires us to be comforted….but it’s more than that. According to this verse, the purpose of that comfort is so that we can minister to others. As we are a channel of His love, so are we a channel of His comfort. As we have troubles which lead to His comfort, it is all to the end that we comfort others. We can’t miss this piece or we’ll just receive His comfort without fulfilling the purpose for which it was sent. So as we gratefully receive His comfort, don’t forget to pass it on.
Joining me in praising Him for:
- Those who have comforted each of us with the same comfort they received from God.
- My sharing on Saturday on “Praying Scriptures” went well. I loved to see the women in small groups really get into the ‘practice’ time as they prayed scripture together.
- The Bible study brunch and appreciation luncheon for the Children’s Program workers went well yesterday.
- Another woman has stepped forward with an interest to lead a summer study, PTL.
- Maria continues to be hospitalized but PTL the clots are not reforming.
And please pray with me for:
- Maria’s full recovery and her ability to leave the hospital soon. It has now been over three weeks. (Her whole journey is shared on www.caringbridge.org/visit/mariaanderson.)
- The final details and registrations to come together for the summer Bible studies.
- This Sunday as Jane and Jerry Jablonski share insights into Domestic Abuse as part of our training for the Peru Missions Trip. It will be at 2PM in the Guest Reception Room and all are invited, whether or not they are part of our Mission Trip. Feel free to come and invite others to this valuable training. Pray for good attendance and that all who need to be there will be.
- Next Thursday evening will be the first of the women in ministry networking dinners. This one wi