A Neglected Priority
This week, Pastor John hands over the TAGD keyboard to Dave Dussault of Northpoint’s Prayer Ministry.
Each week, our own Dave Dussault writes Prayer Life, NP’s weekly prayer guide. You can get it via email by contacting him at davedussault21@gmail.com, or you can pick up a copy at the Information Center in the Foyer each Sunday.
Here’s what Dave sent out last week:
A Neglected Priority
Brothers, pray for us. – 1st Thessalonians 5:25
They say that if you don’t have your health, you really don’t have anything. Over time, our bodies let us know the cost of living for the moment and letting ourselves go. But spiritual comes before physical, and we are spiritual beings, not just animated atoms.
We don’t just “go to church.” We are the Church—God’s presence and power on earth to reach and save a lost world. Most importantly, our ministers are not there to put on a show and organize activities for us to engage in for amusement.
Those engaged in ministry are our spiritual leaders and guardians, called, gifted, and accountable to God for our spiritual health and growth. Praying for our pastors and those who minister to us at church is an investment in the most important matters in our lives. Set aside some time alone to invest in prayer for those who minister to us, and for their families:
Pastors
John Sloan: Lead Pastor
Brent Whitefield: Missions and Outreach
Scott Williams: Adults and Families
Directors
Terilyn Brown: Children’s Ministries
Geoff Grant: Worship
Taylor Mendoza: Student Ministries
Marti Wiegman: Women’s Ministries
Pray for our pastors’ safety. Ministry is filled with risk—spiritually, socially, and sometimes physically. I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf. – Romans 15:30
Ask God to make them a spiritual blessing to others. God alone makes a pastor’s ministry effective.You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. – 2nd Corinthians 1:11
Ask God to give them boldness and the right words to say in proclaiming the gospel. We are engaged in spiritual warfare, which is far beyond our ability. Ministers need God’s strength. [Be] praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel. – Ephesians 6:18-19
Ask God to use their ministry to build us up in the faith. Seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance and help in your prayers. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit. – Jude 20
Pray for opportunities to speak the truth of Jesus to others. God really does create “divine appointments” to make His truth clearly known to unbelievers. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison–that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. – Colossians 4:3-4
Pray for their faithfulness, diligence, and integrity as they lead you and watch over your soul. The majority of the work of ministry—things like prayer and preparation—is behind the scenes. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. – Hebrews 13:17
For the sake of our spiritual lives and those of our families—for the sake of our future and the hope of earth and heaven—let’s take the time to pray for those who shepherd our souls at Northpoint.
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Prayer for the Week:
Sunday (Church): Pray for Bob Brown, Ministry Assistant, Communications. May God give him and his wife power for ministry, protection from sin, growth in grace, and guidance in life.
Monday (Home and Family): Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and your family anew, with a fresh love for Christ and for your neighbors so you can tell them of His love.
Tuesday (Job/School): Ask God to help people you know of with their concerns and to reveal His love to them.
Wednesday (Neighborhood and Community): Pray for the checkers you see regularly at the grocery store, that God will save them and bless them in Christ Jesus.
Thursday (Our Nation): Pray for revival in the Church and a renewed desire in America for holiness, purity, righteousness, and boldness in spreading the Gospel.
Friday (The World): Pray for boldness and protection for Christians in the Muslim world. Ask God to enable them to be strong in their faith.
Saturday (Praise and Rejoicing): Praise God for your family and friends. Rejoice in God’s design for relationships. Delight in the presence of your loved ones.
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Faith is … valuing your spiritual welfare more than material wealth or physical strength, and your eternal future more than your earthly prospects.
To the praise of His glory!
Dave
The rest of NP News for 10.11.2017 can be found on the “This Week” page at https://www.northpointcorona.org/this-week/