Friday, July 5, 2013
CALL TO PRAYER: 5 summer prayer action steps
PALATINE, Ill. (BP) -- We've entered the dog-days of summer (July and
August) -- this often oppressive and sweltering time of year that
coincides with traditional summer slumps in church attendance as
families scatter for summer vacations and other summertime activities.
But our need for prayer is never greater. Here are five suggestions to make your dog days of summer sparkle with spiritual freshness:
Family table time -- Ask each church family to use at least one family meal each week to pray for their neighbors, whether those who live nearby, people they work with or fellow students. Keep a log of the names and needs of those the Lord leads toward in prayer. During a Sunday morning service in August, ask families to come prepared to share their prayers and God's responses.
Schedule a church picnic -- Before the festivities begin, ask every family to form a circle and to pray (facing inward) for the church, its spiritual health, its ministry vision and its evangelistic effectiveness. Reverse positions to face outward and pray for the community, its needs, its leaders and the church's influence on it.
READ MORE at Baptist Press
But our need for prayer is never greater. Here are five suggestions to make your dog days of summer sparkle with spiritual freshness:
Family table time -- Ask each church family to use at least one family meal each week to pray for their neighbors, whether those who live nearby, people they work with or fellow students. Keep a log of the names and needs of those the Lord leads toward in prayer. During a Sunday morning service in August, ask families to come prepared to share their prayers and God's responses.
Schedule a church picnic -- Before the festivities begin, ask every family to form a circle and to pray (facing inward) for the church, its spiritual health, its ministry vision and its evangelistic effectiveness. Reverse positions to face outward and pray for the community, its needs, its leaders and the church's influence on it.
READ MORE at Baptist Press
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