Prayer, Evangelism and Worship

The two emphases of Ephesians 4:1-6 are: (1) Take care of your spiritual life (v.1-2)  (2) and take care of church life (v.3-6).     To take care of your spiritual life,   you have to allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate humility , gentleness , patience , and forbearance .   This week, make a choice to pay attention to these characters.  The Lord promises great rewards to those who follow this path.    God grants these characters for the benefit of the church - so that the church is united.  In a symphony, all instruments have to be tuned.  Each instrument tunes to a tuning fork.  Coming together as a church and even for small groups allow us to be fine-tuned together in one direction.  This is despite our differences .   May you have an opportunity this week to share with your small groups about the transformation in your life and how God is uniting his church.  

You are probably reading this thinking, 'finally, a way to get me going in my prayer life."   I hate to disappoint you, but there's no silver bullet in praying.   No novena, Tajima hall, beads or program can enhance your prayer life but your determination to be with God.   John Piper 's observation of how to pray is this:  "I get in trouble sharing to people how I pray - where the solution to their prayer life is their love relationship with God."  The truth is that's where it all begins.    Prayer is your love relationship with God .  "Father, I'm so excited about today.  I want to look out for how you will reveal yourself to me through my situation, the people I meet, and the struggles I face. Help me not to forget you especially when it becomes busy.  I love you."     Prayer is introducing others to have a love relationship with God .  What essential prayers can you do for people?  Is it money, health, and a good life?  Paul in Ephesians