“Pray without ceasing” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

When our church leadership put into words the vision we felt God had for us for the next four years, we knew that prayer had to be central. So we designated the first day of every month as a day of prayer.

A challenge to growing our prayer life is to move past the list of requests - as important as they are - to include a focus on the relationship that prayer embodies. Just today I heard Carey Nieuwhof state that “Prayer is not a button to push but a relationship to pursue.” With that in mind, I would challenge us as we go to God this day to yes, bring all the petitions and requests, but also to sit with God and simply, deeply relate to him. Relate to him as redeemer, as father, as the one who loves you, as the one who desires to love others through your life, as the one who invites you to partner with him to make his name glorious throughout the earth.

We have heard in recent Sundays about the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Oh that we would take time today to relate to the One who is our Advocate, Counselor, Helper.

What would happen in our lives, in the life of the CNaz family, in Cortez, in the world if we made that the goal today?!

Ok, you may be thinking, “Sounds grand, Pastor. But how do I do that IRL?”

I would answer - make a space. Whatever that means for you in your day today - make a space. Does it mean ducking out of the living room/TV time and spending some time with the door closed in your bedroom being quiet before the Lord? Does it mean walking after dinner tonight to talk with him and listen with him? Does it mean going over to the church to sit in the sanctuary or prayer room? Does it mean cracking open that new blank book and starting a prayer journal? Does it mean noting the names of God on index cards and planning to sit with one each day? Does it mean beginning the journey of listening to God? Does it mean . . . fill in the blank. But make space today for this relationship.

It’s THE one that matters most!

Praying beside you this first day of June,

Pastor JanElle

PS Let me know how this goes for you!