Prayers for Preachers

People often ask me how they might pray for me.  Such inquiries are a kind blessing and encouragement.  Here’s a great place to start:  10 Reminders for Preachers (think of this as “10 Prayers for Preachers”!).

 

And as you pray for me, know that myself and the other elders are praying fervently for you – Eph. 1:15-23; 3:14-21.  How grateful to God we are for you, and the privilege of serving you for your joy (2 Cor. 1:24)!

 

All for the glory of our Good, Great, and Chief Shepherd (Jn. 10:11; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 5:4),

Greg

Committing Afresh to Prayer

As another year commences, let me encourage you to commit yourself afresh in Christ to “rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, and giving thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”. (1 Thess. 5:16-18)

 

And as you “pray without ceasing”, what more powerful way to pray for yourself, and your brothers and sisters in Christ than to follow the pattern of Paul’s prayers in Eph. 1:15-23 and Eph. 3:14-21?  Ask God to help you increasingly understand the meaning of all Paul is praying about in these passages, and ask Him to bring these things to pass in your life, and the lives of others, for His glory!

 

Very practically, I encourage you to pick a regular time each day, perhaps for 15-20 minutes, and pray through the church directory.  Additionally, our weekly prayer guide is a helpful resource for praying about your brothers and sisters at RCG, and for many people beyond RCG.

 

May the Lord help us all to be diligent in these matters, even as He has exhorted us to 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…”.  (Eph. 6:18)

 

Praying for you, and with you,

Greg

In the Gift of His Son

With Paul’s prayer in Eph. 3:14-21, he is asking God to powerfully enable believers to live by faith in the fullness of all He is and has given in Jesus Christ.  Paul prays with great confidence and expectation that God will do abundantly more than all that could be asked or imagined.

 

Through this Christmas season and beyond, please know that myself and the other elders (Smokey, Gary, Chuck, and Tim), continually pray for each of you at RCG in this way.  And we pray with the same assurance as Paul, knowing that God is faithful to all His purposes and promises in Christ.

 

May your joy be multiplied as you consider afresh God’s great love in the gift of His Son, and all the blessings that are yours in Him.

 

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.  (Gal. 4:4-7)

 

Merry Christmas,

Greg

The privilege of prayer

“…in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.”  (Eph. 3:12)

 

The privilege of prayer for God’s children is a privilege flowing from His adopting, redeeming love in Jesus Christ.  How unspeakable the assurance that, through faith, we have ongoing boldness and access with confidence in the presence of our heavenly Father!

 

Thus, far from being a formalistic, ritualistic exercise, true prayer is a joyful disposition of heart that is constantly seeking God.  F.B. Meyer, in his warm and helpful commentary on Ephesians, hits the right note:

 

Prayer assumes a new complexion as soon as we properly appreciate God’s Fatherliness…. The first thought of a little child in any need is Mother, Father. There is instant movement of eyes, and feet, and voice, towards the one dear source of help and comfort. And so, when we have learnt to know the Father, as revealed in Jesus, our heart will be constantly going out towards Him….Of course there will be times when we shall deliberately bow our knees unto the Father; but there will be many more when we shall have access to Him in a swift-winged thought, a tear hastily brushed away, a yearning, an [exclamation], a loving, restful glance of mutual understanding. Strange that we make so little of these wonderful opportunities of access to the Father!”  (F.B. Meyer, Ephesians: A Devotional Commentary, Kindle Loc. 68)

 

Oh beloved, are you living in confidence of the access our Father has given you to Himself in Christ?  Are you “constantly going out towards Him” in prayer, assured of His love and care for you in Christ?  What great, living hope we’ve been called to, and what great spiritual riches we’ve been lavished with!

 

Praying for you, and with you in this hope,

Greg

The Basis of Our Identity

We so easily lose sight of our identity in Christ!  How quickly we can forget who we are before God, and who we are in this world.  Temptations abound for us to look to things we see as the basis of our identity:  our abilities, our circumstances, our background, our relationships, our accomplishments, our approval/acceptance from others, etc.  And depending on how we subjectively evaluate these very murky indicators, we’ll either be puffed up with arrogance, or crushed with despair.  Such living by sight leads to an endless identity crisis!

 

How much better (and right!) to base our identify fully on who God is, what He has done for us in Christ, and what He has called us to in Christ!  In short, how much better to live by faith in God, and in all the spiritual blessings He has lavished on us in Christ.

 

Such a call to live by faith is at the very heart of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.  He wants believers to understand the glory of God’s provision and purposes in Christ (Eph. 1-3), and to live accordingly by faith in these great truths (Eph. 4-6).

 

Dr. P.T. O’Brien, in his excellent Commentary on Ephesians, observes that Paul…

 

“…writes Ephesians…with the intention of informing, strengthening, and encouraging [believers] by assuring them of their place within the gracious, saving purposes of God, and urging them to bring their lives into conformity with this divine plan of summing up all things in Christ (Eph. 1:10).  Paul wants to ‘ground, shape, and challenge’ his readers in their faith.  In other words, the main purpose of his letter is ‘identity formation’”. (pg. 57)

 

Beloved, is your identify being formed through faith in God’s revealed word, or through the things you see and experience in this fleeting world?  May God ever strengthen us in this walk of faith – for the glory of His great name!!

 

Praying for you, and with you to this end (Eph. 1:15-23; 3:14-21),

Greg

The Great Sufficiency of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the great sufficiency of His people!  Even as He lovingly ordains troubling circumstances, so He abundantly supplies for all His people’s needs, all the time.  His comforting words are always true and timely:

 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”  (John 14:1)

Beloved, consider how lavishly Jesus provides for His people:  through His holy love (Jn. 13:1), through His cleansing sacrifice (Jn. 13:8-11), through His resurrected life (Jn. 14:18-20), through His humble example (Jn. 13:17), through His truthful words (Jn. 14:23-24), through the indwelling Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:16-17), through His heavenly peace (Jn. 14:27),  through His untouchable joy ( Jn. 16:20-22), and through His eternal glory (Jn. 17:22-24).

Because of the great sufficiency of Jesus Christ, we who belong to Him can confidently sing:  I Have a Shelter!  Jesus is all we need.  May He indeed be all we trust.

Praying for you, and with you,
Greg

The Importance of Prayer

The importance of prayer in the lives of God’s people cannot be overstated.  God has designed prayer to be the vital means by which His power is appropriated for the daily demands of “walking worthy” as His beloved children.  In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul models the importance of prayer (Eph. 1:15-23; 3:14-21), and he exhorts the ongoing practice of prayer (Eph. 6:18-20).  Prayer is indispensable!

 

Dr. James Rosscup, from The Master’s Seminary, has written an excellent article entitled “The Importance of Prayer in Ephesians”  (you can find it here).  I’ve mentioned this article before, but it’s so good I want to commend it to you again.  Dr. Rosscup highlights how prayer is inseparable from victory in spiritual warfare (Eph. 6:10-20), simply declaring:  “The closet is crucial to the combat.”  (pg. 69)

 

Beloved, prayer is a great gift and kindness from our sovereign God!  Even as Paul was incentivized to pray in view of God’s rich blessings in Christ (Eph. 1:3-14), we should be as well.  And as we keep growing in the individual and corporate practice of prayer, so we’ll sing with King David:

 

Blessed be the Lord,

Because He has heard the voice of my supplications!

The Lord is my strength and my shield;

My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;

Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,

And with my song I will praise Him.  (Ps. 28:6-7)

 

Seeking Him with you, and for you,

Greg

Sharing in this Ministry through Prayer

Lord willing, I’ll be departing for Haiti in just a few hours (the evening of 4/22).  I leave with all of you – God’s people at RCG – very much on my heart, and in my prayers.  More and more, the thanksgivings and supplications of Paul in places like Eph. 1:15-23 and Eph. 3:14-21 reflect my affection and longings for each of you.  What a joy and privilege it is to share life together in Christ in this local church, and also to partner together in the advancement of the Gospel to other places…like Haiti.

 

How thankful I am for your prayers for my family and me, that God would sustain and provide for His purposes in our lives.  As I’ve mentioned numerous times, though I’m the one making this trip to Haiti, all of us together are sharing in this ministry through prayer, giving, and support.  And without a doubt, prayer is the most essential part of each one’s involvement!  Just listen to how the Apostle Paul solicited and gave thanks for the prayers of God’s people regarding the advancement of the Gospel through Him:

 

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. (2 Cor. 1:11)

 

18 …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, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Eph. 6:18-20)

 

Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. (2 Thess. 3:1-2)

 

Beloved, we are involved in relentless warfare of cosmic, spiritual proportions (Eph. 6:10-20).  May God give us grace to stand firm in His strength, ever walking worthy of the great spiritual blessings He has called us to in Christ.  You’ll continue to be in my prayers while I’m away, trusting our Good Shepherd to faithfully care for your souls (Ps. 28:6-9).

 

With love and affection,

Greg

 

P.S.  See you on May 10, Lord willing!

Pray for the Ungodly

Have you ever found yourself troubled, frustrated, and perhaps downright angry at the godlessness of the world we live in?  We see rank evil in every area of life:  government, entertainment, education, and our society in general.  And maybe you’re not just bothered by godlessness in a general way, but perhaps there are some specific ungodly people that really get your dander up.  These are folks you either know, or know of, who just seem to really make your blood boil.  What kind of attitude and response should Christians have to such people –  unbelievers who seem to multiply wickedness?

 

The Holy Spirit answers this question quite directly in 1 Tim. 2:1-6.

 

1First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.    

 

In short, we should long for, and pray for the salvation of ungodly people.  And we should do so because God desires ungodly people to be saved.  Imagine:  ungodly people just like you and me before God saved us.  J. Ligon Duncan keenly observes:

 

“Paul is just sketching out for us once again the basis of the world missionary enterprise. We as Christians must long to see the world come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ; and if we don’t, then it is perhaps an indication that we have not understood in our own hearts the wideness of God’s mercy and the depth of His grace. But when you realize the wideness and the depth of His grace towards you, you want every person to know God savingly, as He by His grace has caused you to know Him.”  (J. Ligon Duncan, A Call to Prayer, sermon on 1 Tim. 2:1-7, 07/25/2004)

 

Beloved, there are lots of ungodly ways to respond to ungodliness.  But the godly way, the right way, the God-glorifying way is to PRAY for the salvation of ungodly people.  And as we pray, to also be faithful in sharing the Gospel with those God brings in our paths.

 

Because Christ lives, and is returning,

Greg

Greetings from the Shepherds Conference

Greetings, brothers and sisters.  As you know, myself and 10 other men from RCG are currently at the Shepherds Conference in Los Angeles.  Thank you for your prayers!  We’re being encouraged with the preaching of God’s word, and the fellowship of literally thousands of like-minded men.  It is a blessing to be here – a blessing we pray will “spill over” to you and many others.

 

If you haven’t already, I encourage you to check out the live-stream of the main sessions (there are 4-5 each day).  Here’s the website:  http://www.shepherdsconference.org/.  As you’ll see, video of earlier sessions is also beginning to be available.  With the sessions not concluding until Friday evening, there’s still a lot more to go.

 

Thanks again for your prayers – 2 Thess. 3:1-2!  We’re all looking forward to getting home to Sacto, and seeing you this coming Lord’s Day.

 

Grace,

Greg

All-Out Commitment to Prayer

Sadly, with increasing frequency and intensifying horror, the world is becoming all too familiar with the barbaric activities of ISIS.  As you know, most recently this evil group videotaped the beheadings of 21 Egyptian Christians on the shores of Libya.

 

Dr. Thom Schreiner provides some biblical thoughts and perspectives about this tragic event, and the broader reality of persecution against Christians.  While we in the west are generally disconnected from the brutal animosity that Christians in so many other parts of the world face,  we nonetheless need to be sober and alert.  We need to faithfully pray that God would comfort, strengthen, and embolden our suffering brothers and sisters.  We need to likewise faithfully pray for ourselves, that we would be bold and strong in living and witnessing for Christ – come what may.

 

Beloved, we know “…we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places”. (Eph. 6:12)  We also know God has made full provision for us to be “…strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might”.  (Eph. 6:10)

 

And so, in the all-sufficient protection of the whole armor that God has given us in Christ (Eph. 6:11-17), He calls us to an all-out commitment to prayer:


“…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, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.  (Eph. 6:18-20, ESV)

 

Praying for you, and with you, as we seek to walk worthy of our calling in Christ,

Greg

God’s Work Among Us: Elder Affirmation

As revealed in Eph. 1:3-14, the eternal plan of God, for His glory in Jesus Christ, is far more comprehensive and significant than anything we could ever imagine or dream of!  It begins in eternity past with the Father’s electing grace (vs. 1:4-6), and will culminate in eternity future with everything in heaven and on earth being united in Jesus Christ (vs. 9-10).  Amazing!  Everything that happens in the here and now is intimately connected to God’s eternal plan, as He sovereignly “…works all things according to the counsel of His will…” (Eph. 1:11).  What true comfort and hope this gives to God’s people!

 

All these glorious truths help us understand our identity and calling as His people…the church!  The very existence of a local church like River City Grace, comprised of many redeemed, blood-bought souls, is evidence of the powerful outworking of God’s plan among us.

 

This coming Lord’s Day, in our morning Corporate Worship service, God’s work among us will continue to unfold in our affirmation of Tim Ingrum as a new elder at RCG.  Following many months of prayer, evaluation, and interaction, we believe that God has raised Tim up to co-labor with the other elders in shepherding His people in this local congregation (Acts 20:28).   It will be a time to give thanks, and soberly rejoice in Jesus’ shepherding care for us.  It will also be a time to commit ourselves afresh to praying for, and encouraging one another within God’s eternal purposes (Eph. 6:18-20).

 

Beloved, be praying particularly for Tim as he embraces the office and responsibilities of eldership.  Likewise, be praying for his wife Willie as she serves beside him in this calling.  Pray they would walk faithfully and wisely in God’s will (Eph. 5:15-17), and continually be filled with God’s Spirit (Eph. 5:18).    (This recent blog post, Advice for a New Elder, will further inform and encourage your prayers!)

 

Because Christ lives, and is returning,

Greg

How to Read the Bible: A Matter of Stewardship

Following my post in this column last week, I learned of this helpful article (thanks Sharon Lowery!):  Do’s and Don’ts When Reading the Bible.  These are very helpful encouragements, reminding us that more important than simply reading Scripture, is the vital question of how we read Scripture.

 

Given that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16) and also that all Scripture clearly and comprehensively reveals Jesus Christ (Jn. 5:39-40; Lk. 24:27), it behooves us to approach scripture in the right way, with the right heart.

 

Beloved, we live at a time in history, and in a part of the world, where God’s word has never been more available.  Let alone the opportunities for our own reading, study, memory, and meditation, but we also have access to countless resources in hearing the word of God faithfully preached and taught.  This is indeed a great privilege, and also a great stewardship.

 

So may we be devoted and diligent to grow in faith by feeding on God’s word, both individually and corporately.  And may we be faithful stewards in proclaiming God’s glorious word to others!

 

Because Christ lives, and is returning,

Greg

Thanksgiving from the Elders

From the Elders:

 

What a great blessing, joy, and privilege it is to serve among you all in Christ’s work at RCG!  Our thanks to God for you, and prayers to Him on your behalf, follow the example of Paul:


15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might… (Eph. 1:15-19)

 

May God continually be glorified as His grace and truth in Jesus Christ abounds in all of us, and overflows through us to more and more people!

 

Happy Thanksgiving,

 

Greg, Chuck, Gary, and Smokey

Indispensable Prayer

Prayer is indispensably central to the fulfilling of God’s purposes for His people.  This truth is passionately modeled by Paul twice in his letter to the Ephesians (1:15-23; 3:14-21).  Paul’s own example adds meaning and weight to his explicit exhortation at the end of the letter:

“…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, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Eph. 6:18-20)

Beloved, in view of this, I encourage you to read The Importance of Prayer in Ephesians (also here), by Dr. James Rosscup, retired faculty member at The Master’s Seminary.  This 15-page article is not a quick read – give yourself at least an hour.  But it will revolutionize your prayer life, for your joy and God’s glory, if you lay hold of these powerful truths.  Highlighting lessons from Paul’s two prayers for the Ephesians, Dr. Rosscup observes:

“Each intercessory labor exhibits features that Paul pled for before God. They are key items on his ‘prayer list.’ Both prayers reveal facets of paramount import for Christian living. They are also examples of how all Christians can make their prayers relevant in spiritual matters, whether for personal needs or for other Christians.  The intercessions exemplify a passionate concern for spiritual progress…His burden is for them to be vitally concerned over spiritual matters. It is not for a physical relief from a broken arm, a new job, or sleep as a solution to insomnia. Though the latter burdens are also very important…the life-shaping issues that Paul makes prominent should gain the pervasive place in their prayers.”

Amen – may it be so increasingly for all of us!

Praying for you and with you, with much thankfulness,
Greg

As We Begin “Ephesians”

With great joy and expectation, I’m planning to begin preaching through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians this coming Lord’s Day.  What a glorious portion of God’s Word this is, revealing the fullness of believers’ identity and calling in Christ, and the practical implications of how we’re to walk worthy of that calling.

 

The central message of Ephesians is heralded by Paul early on.  In Eph. 1:9-10, as Paul recounts the unsearchable riches of God’s blessings in Christ, he declares that all of this is “…according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth…”.

 

In his excellent commentary on Ephesians, P.T. O’Brien observes:  “This text provides the key for unlocking the glorious riches of the letter, draws together into a unity many of its major themes, and enables us to gain an integrated picture of the letter as a whole.”  (The Letter to the Ephesians, Grand Rapids:  Eerdmans Publ. Co., 1999, pg. 58).

 

Beloved, as we plan to “camp out” in Ephesians for many months to come, let me  encourage you in a couple of ways:

 

  • Be regularly reading Paul’s letter to the Ephesians – both on your own, and/or with others.  With only 6 chapters, there are numerous ways you could plan to do this.  The key is to try and saturate yourself in the context and thought of the letter, which will greatly aid your understanding and application.
  • Be regularly praying the prayers of Paul in Ephesians (1:15-23; 3:14-21) – both for yourself and for other believers.  If you’re not sure about the meaning of these prayers, keep praying and reading!

 

May God do among us “…far more abundantly than all that we ask or think…”, for the glory of His great name in Christ!

 

Grace upon grace,

Greg

John 14:11-14

11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.

12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. (ESV)

Prayer for the Shepherd’s Conference

As many of you know, the annual Shepherds’ Conference takes place this week at Grace Community Church in Los Angeles.  It begins on Wednesday morning, and concludes Friday evening.  Myself, Chuck Meadows, and Gary Francisco will be joining about 3497 other men from around the world for this unique opportunity.  Through numerous general and seminar sessions (see the schedule here) the Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4) will be caring for our souls through His Word, in the power of His Spirit, and within the rich interaction that all present will have with one another.  In so doing, He’ll be all the more equipping us to faithfully minister when we return to the families, churches, and communities in which He has sovereignly placed us.

 

So please be in prayer that God would indeed use this time in great ways for the glory of His name, the building of His Church, the advancement of the Gospel, and the joy of all people.  Pray that it would not only be a refreshing and transforming time for all present, but that any blessing we receive would have a continual ripple effect on countless people through us for the sake of Christ.

 

All of you will be on my heart and in my prayers, with much gratitude to God for the privilege sharing life in Christ with you, and proclaiming the “unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph. 3:8) among you.

 

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.  (Eph. 3:20-21, ESV)

Continue in Prayer…

As news regarding the tragedy in Newtown, CT continues to saturate the media, I want to encourage you to continue in prayer for the Lord’s provision and purposes in the lives of all who have been impacted.  In particular, keep praying for the pastors and members of Newtown Bible Church.  God has given them a unique and difficult context in which to minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the families, community, and first-responders of Newtown.

 

Likewise, be alert and responsive to opportunities the Lord brings your way to share the hope of the Gospel with those you interact with.  Many questions and burdens are on people’s minds concerning what happened last Friday – may God give us all grace, wisdom and boldness to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15; Col. 4:5,6; 1 Pet. 3:15).

 

Because He lives,

Greg

Pray for One Another

God has made abundantly clear in His Word that His children are to love and serve one another (Jn. 13:34,35; Phil. 2:1-8). Growing and excelling in such love, by His power and for His glory, is absolutely non-negotiable.

Assuming you are passionately pursuing loving one another in the love of Christ – which is one of the most fundamental evidences of truly being born of God (1 Jn. 4:7,8) – have you considered the importance of PRAYER as a key expression of love for others? Hear this exhortation from God, through Paul, in Eph. 6:18:

“…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…” (ESV)

Beloved, this is a divine, authoritative command – we MUST PRAY for one another! And we must do so according to God’s will, zealous for God’s agenda and purposes in one another’s lives. This is exactly what Paul exemplified in his prayers for the Ephesians (Eph. 1:15-21; 3:14-21). Are we learning to pray this way for each other??

I often talk with believers in our church who don’t know how they should be ministering to others. Here’s my first response: begin by praying specifically and regularly for every member of RCG! It doesn’t matter if you know them well or not – you can pray for them according to God’s will! Practically, why not be committed to praying through one page of our church directory each day, and just keep doing this on a daily basis? Begin praying in this way for others, and you’ll discover countless other ways to minister!

God does amazing things as we pray for one another, not the least of which is transforming our own selfish hearts to His purposes and care for His people. As we genuinely pray His will for our brothers and sisters in Christ, we begin to think and act differently toward them. We begin to really care about their lives, about their circumstances, about their souls. And all to the glory of our Great Savior and Lord!

Oh beloved…pray, pray, pray for one another!!!