What is on your heart? What wakes you up in the middle of the night?
We come to Christ’s table with thanksgiving and joy for what God has done for us and for his continual invitation to God’s grace, love, peace, joy, healing, and hope. We are united when we come to the table; one with God and one with each other. Unity is good and pleasing in the sight of God. As we take the bread and the cup, we can experience God’s presence in Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit.
Experiencing God’s presence can seem a unrealistic dream for those of us currently experiencing suffering. But take heart! Through the research of experts and the words of the scripture, we are reminded that praying with one another leads to answered prayers and healing. In Testing Prayer, Dr. Candi Brown, a scholar who researched and studied answered prayer, mentions that people who have experienced answered prayers more than doubled when they shared their prayers and asked others to pray for them as opposed to “keeping it to themselves.” The words of the Bible remind us that, “If any among us are suffering, they should pray….pray for one another so you may be healed” (James 5:13, 16).
Weary and carrying heavy burdens, we come to Jesus, seeking God in prayer, knowing He will give us rest (Matthew 11:28). On this Holy Communion Sunday, Stephen Ministers and members of our Prayer Team are ready to share God’s love and grace with you in prayer. If you have any prayer concerns or would like to receive a prayer for your loved ones, we are here to pray for you and with you. It is beautiful and powerful when God’s children come together in unity and share our burdens with each other. I believe that’s a sign of healthy church.
Our prayer team is privileged to pray with you today. It is our desire to be faithful, living out in action the words from James and Matthew, we are not merely trying to be or appear more spiritual. Faithfulness is about action – on the part of those seeking the Lord, and on those willing to join alongside those needing healing in prayer. All prayers are confidential. May the Holy Spirit stir our hearts and minds with courage as we come to receive God’s grace through the ministry team. Amen.
Rev. SueLee Jin