The Prayer That Changes Everything Is The Prayer That Changes Me

Dear Friend,

Do you want a powerful prayer experience?  

Do you have a powerful prayer experience?

(Before you answer this question in the affirmative, I would ask you to consider and compare the scope of God's power and the extent of your experience of it.)

When was the last time you prayed and saw a sea parted? When was the last time you prayed and saw the sun stand still? When was the last time you prayed and saw the dead raised? When was the last time you prayed and saw a national revival?

When was the last time you prayed and saw the power of God? When was the last time you dared to pray for something so big it could only be explained by God at work?

And when was the last time you prayed - sincerely prayed, prayed with all your heart and might - but it seemed like your prayer bounced off the ceiling? When was the last time you gave up on prayer because it felt like it didn't really matter? It felt like God is going to do what God is going to do and my prayers are pointless?

This week we are going to look at a passage of scripture on prayer that convicts me and my prayerlessness (Ephesians 3:14-21). It's implications scare me. It scares me to think about what I haven't prayed for, but could have. It scares me to think about what I haven't seen - not because of God's limited power, but because of my misguided desires and agendas for God.

I hope you will read it. And I hope that God's word will speak to you in a fresh way - maybe even a life-changing way - that revolutionizes and revitalizes your prayer life!

I am praying for you and for me and for what God is going to say to us!


Warmly in Christ,

Pastor Gary

Seeing People The Way Christ Does

Dear Friend,

What do you say or do for a friend facing the possibility of cancer, a parent with an adult-child addicted to drugs, a friend who has lost a loved one to suicide, or someone who is in real danger of losing their home?

When Jesus looked at people, He saw their heartaches, fears, shame, and disappointments. The Bible says this about Jesus,

“When he saw the crowds, he felt deep concern for them. They were beaten down and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is huge. But there are only a few workers. So ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers out into his harvest field.’” Matthew 9:36-38 (NIrV)

Some people think of church as a place where you have to look good so all the good people will like you. That’s why a lot of people have given up on the church. For Jesus, the church is for people who are hurting, lonely, afraid, and confused. It is a place where you can find a “Shepherd” for your soul who is deeply concerned about the things that concern you…the things that leave you feeling beaten down and helpless.

When we see people the way Christ does, we will be moved with the same compassion that moved Christ.

Jesus said, “The harvest is huge. But there are only a few workers. So ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers out into his harvest field.”

Warmly in Christ,

Pastor Gary
1 Corinthians 15:58