I spoke last Sunday about the importance of investing time with the Lord every day. It’s not a have to, but a get to! It is absolutely essential to grow in our relationship with Christ. Christian author and missionary, Andrew Murray, writes in his devotional, Teach Me To Pray: “For the believer, taking time each day with God’s Word and in prayer is indispensable. Each day we need to wait upon God for His presence and His love to be revealed. We must understand we have no power on our own to maintain our spiritual life. We need to receive daily new grace from heaven through fellowship with the Lord Jesus.”

Just as we individually need time daily with Jesus, so we need time with other Christians, as well. That’s one reason we gather for worship, study, service and prayer. We are stronger together than apart. We learn from one another and encourage one another, as well.

Pastor Jim Cymbala of Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York City wrote a book entitled, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire. We are reading it together as a church staff and discussing it each week. It tells the remarkable story of a church transformed by prayer in the heart of New York City. The stories of changed lives are nothing short of miraculous. Their secret? They meet together weekly for prayer on Tuesday nights, crying out to God.

Several weeks ago, we began meeting every other Tuesday night for "Prayer and Praise" in the sanctuary of First Church. We meet from 6:00pm to about 7:30pm. There is no set agenda. We worship and then we gather at the altar for prayer together. Some pray out loud – others silently. We agree with one another in prayer. Persons lead out in song or praying scripture back to the Lord. We sometimes conclude with a song or praying for specific needs of people present. This past Tuesday was especially sweet and powerful.

If you’ve “missed the memo,” please accept this invitation to join us on Tuesday, October 2, for our next "Prayer & Praise" gathering. It’s on a want to not a have to basis! Come be blessed as we seek God together!

Yours in Christ,
Mark