New mercy for the morning
Last weekend we ended our services with a call to come forward for prayer. I was surprised by the number of people who came forward asking our pastoral team to pray for them. It was humbling and encouraging to kneel beside many in this congregation and pray for very real needs. I was surprised that all different ages and stages of life came forward, young and old, families and individuals, visitors, and longtime members. We prayed for people experience brokenness in relationships, people longing for loved ones to come to faith, people experiencing serious health concerns… the list goes on and on. We prayed with people who weren’t even able to utter a specific request, and simply wept while kneeling on the stairs.
As I prayed, I was surprised as it felt like the Holy Spirit was filling me, directing me, giving me exactly the words to pray over people. Again, I was humbled and encouraged. I was surprised that at the end of the service, the Wood Wall became a place of prayer as more people came back for prayer. It was a beautiful weekend.
This week as we have heard reports back, I’ve been surprised to hear reports of already answered prayers. I’ve been surprised to learn about breakthroughs, and that the words that were prayed over people were exactly what the needed to hear.
I have been surprised at how surprising this has all been for me. I know that we are a congregation that needs prayer. I know that we are a congregation that are willing to come forward for prayer. I knew many of the people I prayed for and knew the needs they were coming with for prayer. And I know the work of the Holy Spirit. I know that God answers prayers. So, why I am always so surprised when things like this happen?
One of my favorite verses in all of Scripture is Lamentations 3:22-23, “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” I feel like these moments of surprise are like those new-every-morning mercies. People coming forward for prayer are reminders of the Lord at work. God answering prayer is a reminder of his steadfast love. All of it reminds me of his ongoing faithfulness. Every time I have those moments where I can’t help but say, “Wow! God is doing something here!”, I am reminded of all the other times that I have said that. I am reminded of all the times that God has been faithful. And I have a renewed confidence that he will continue to be faithful! I also have a renewed desire to commit myself to prayer so that I can see those mercies each day.
I wonder how God has been at work in your life this week. Maybe you were one of those people who have a story to share of God answering prayer. Maybe you are one of those people that need to call on our faithful God and ask for prayer (little hint…we are all those people). We pastors would love to keep praying with you, and we would love to hear reports of how God is answering prayer. I’d like to invite you to continue sharing those prayer needs with us and share the reports of God at work too. You can do that right now by submitting a prayer request below.
You can also join us on Sunday, June 11, at 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary for a prayer and worship gathering.
Lamentations 3:24 says, “’The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’” Let’s continue to be a people who put our hope in our faithful God who brings us new mercy for each day.
Pastor Julie