Last Sunday, April 29th, our Interim Youth Minister, Grant Riehle-Moeller, shared his heart for the youth ministry. He and the youth, along with its leadership, are praying for 21 days (starting April 25th) which will conclude on May 16th. During these 21 days he has asked them to pray about people who would be blessed to have a stronger relationship with God. As they pray about these people, their needs and the unique relationships the youth have with them, Grant is also asking them to listen to how God leads them to respond.
When we pray to God He always hears us and always answers. Sometimes we don’t take the time to listen or like the answer we receive, but it is always there. Over the next 21 days the youth will be extra attentive to hear God’s answers, and by God’s grace, be bold to follow where He leads. In short, this came about as Grant was seeking direction himself. God, answering Grant’s prayers, led him to James 5:15: “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” It is no coincidence that May (month 5) 16 is the date that ends this 21 days of prayer that were started by James 5:16.
In James 5:17 the author describes the prayers of Elijah that caused the rain to stop for three years and then start back up. This rain started with a cloud no larger than the size of a hand (1 Kings 18:44) and eventually led to a mighty storm to nourish the land after a drought. Grant came before the congregation to challenge us to pray with the youth and for the youth, that this dream to dwell in prayer might grow out from the youth group and nourish the whole congregation. Maybe our whole county…
Will you join us in 21 days of prayer for the community as we seek God’s will above our own? Pick a time (many of us are choosing noon) and pray. If you can, identify some people or causes to pray for, maybe our high school youth and their new leadership. Think about people who might be blessed to know God or know Him better. Seek how God might have you respond, might have our congregation respond. Listen well every day as we watch this cloud grow into a mighty shower that we might be blessed to be a blessing to those around us!
Of course, prayer doesn’t stop at 21 days. Maybe this will start a new and healthy habit! But our intentional effort as a congregation will culminate on Pentecost Sunday May 20th where we will celebrate how God is doing ministry through us around the globe! Please be sure to join us when we celebrate with Deaconess Caitlin Worden de Ramirez from Peru and Pastor Walter Ramirez from Plano!
