pray it! gentle in our time - ephesians 5:1-20

Ephesians 5:17:  Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.  (NLT)

What a verse.  It's clear.  It's simple.  It's perfect. 

As the gentle children of God, we have to understand what the LORD wants us to do.  Who?  The Lord!  Who?  The Lord!  Who?  The Lord!

In order for us to have that understanding, we have to have the Lord.  We have to be dependent upon Him 24/7.  We have to abide.  Daily presence!  John 15!

How do we pray it this week as we prepare our hearts and minds for Sunday's message? 

Individually and collectively, let us pray for understanding.  Let us pray for clarity and obedience regarding missional impulses that express themselves in acts of gentle kindness and gentle goodness that flow out of our relationship with God. 

God, what is it you are wanting me to do today?  In what way(s) are you calling me to serve?

Don't wait.  Begin now.  If you don't want to ask the question, start there.  God already knows your heart... your concerns and worries and fears.  Talk to God about it.  Avoiding asking God the question probably doesn't stop the missional impulses from creeping into your heart.  But it will likely cause you even more distress!

God moves beautifully when His people obey.  There's gentle power in the life of one child of God who obeys.  Add all those acts of obedience together and there's a different kind of gentle power, displaying beautifully the love of God for all to see.

Dear God,
Please show me (or remind and renew) missional impulses that come from you that you want me to do.  Please show (or remind and renew) PoC together the missional impulses that collectively we can do together in community and fellowship with you and one another.  Please let the world see your kindness and goodness as a result.  Please let us be a light to the world.  Amen.

PoC|Coverage is tonight at 6pm.  Yes, it's dark out.  Yes, it's been a long day.  Come anyway! 

Pastor Celia