A Call to Prayer: The Elders’ Fall Retreat Friday-Saturday Nov. 12-13, 2010

Prayer works. I’m not always sure how. My inconsistency to this central humbling task reveals that I don’t always trust in its power – or more to the point, in the power of God to whom I would direct my pleas. To pray is to be dependent. To acknowledge need is to admit weakness. I inherited from Adam a curiosity – no, in honesty a deep and not fully understood intense drive to secure the blessings of God on my own efforts. God wants me to admit my need and turn to Him. So in short, when I’m not praying, my growth is hindered.

Intercessory prayer is also powerful, not just because God is petit

ioned, but because it invites us to experience dependence upon one another, which in turn encourages greater mutual dependence upon our mutual Father. We simply don’t grow Spiritually when we are alone.

The apostle Paul consistently encourages the church to pray for each other, including his leadership and ministry. He instructed Timothy to pray for those in positions of authority (1Tim. 2:1-2). How much more so should we pray for the shepherds of our flock?

Twice a year the elders meet for extended times of discussion and planning for the church’s direction. The annual fall overnight retreat is taking place this weekend from Friday Nov. 12-13. At last year’s fall retreat we identified four strategic areas of ministry development and focus for the year: Worship service (cross-generational variety and involvement), Small groups, a cross-ministry discipleship model, and communications. (You can read the summary from the 2009 fall elder retreat posted on our website by clicking here.)

This year we gather to evaluate our progress and seek the unifying wisdom of the Spirit on a few new issues including attention to our leadership structures and development, and a small group ministry plan.

Would you please take some time throughout the remainder of this week to pray for our elders? Consider praying through the lofty characteristics identified for church elders in 1Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:7-10 – that we may grow in and exhibit these with joy. Prayer for unity along with the very heart of Christ for His father’s glory (John 17:20-26).  The writer of Hebrews clarifies the elders’ daunting task of watching over souls, for which we will be held accountable (Heb.13:17). We cherish your and need your intercession.

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.
Heb. 13:18