The Power of Prayer
/Greetings in the Name of Jesus,
E. M. Bounds wrote this as the opening to his book, The Power of Prayer. “We are constantly on a stretch, if not a strain to devise new methods, new plans, new organizations to advance the Church and secure enlargement and efficiency for the gospel.” Bounds wrote this challenging statement in 1910. Interesting. Not much has changed.
Bounds continues with this challenge, “What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better organizations, or more novel methods. The Church needs people whom the Holy Spirit can use – people of prayer, people mighty in prayer. The Holy Spirit does not flow through methods, but through people. God does not anoint plans, but people of prayer.”
As I read this powerful book, I was struck by the truth of the tension between methods and the power of prayer and the anointing of God’s Spirit. The Church needs methods and plans. But these methods and plan are anemic and even empty without the foundation and dedication to prayer. Please join Amy and me to strive for God’s anointing through our connection in prayer. Prayer makes the difference.
This Sunday is our Blessing of the Backpacks and Back to School Prayer Walk. It is our Sunday to pray over the children and administrators in our community for the coming school year. It is going to be a great Sunday as we celebrate and pray over the students, schoolteachers, and all others who serve our schools.
I will be preaching on the power of God’s blessing and how we are called to share God’s blessing with others. The Bible teaches us that we need to be open to receive God’s blessings. Then… the more we give away these blessings, the greater the opportunity for greater blessings.
I am very excited about this worship service. Invite as many families as you can to come receive the blessing of God’s presence as the school year begins.
Other items:
Next Sunday, August 17, at 1:00 pm, we will dedicate the flower bed expansion on the north side of the building. This area was funded in memory of Ruthie Masterson. Please join us for this meaningful time of remembering one of our saints.
On the south side of the building, you may have noticed the cell tower going up. The construction is almost complete. This project will provide additional income to the church’s ministries.
We have collected $3,645 to support the immediate needs and recovery efforts in flood-affected areas in the Hill Country and Rio Grande Valley. Thank you church for your generosity for those in need.
See you Sunday.
Pastor John Allen