We Live What We Pray

 

 

 

 

 

WEDNESDAY  CHURCH

on the Internet

 

 

(This is your mid-week Christian power

surge with Pastor Mike Fonfara, D.Min.)

 

 

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Pentecost Season, Week 4

 

 

 

Hello, friends.

 

Our prayer content says a lot about us. For some, prayer means a desired shopping list of blessings. Others pray with thanks for blessings received. Also, many pray giving God total control of their lives. In reality, we all pray these ways and other ways, too.

 

The way we pray reflects our personalities. We live what we pray about. Our prayer lives reflect our daily living!

 

 

Today's Wednesday Church praises God for divine patience, love, mercy, and generosity in accepting every way and every concern that we pray about.

 

Thank you for joining me in Wednesday Church!

 

Pastor Mike Fonfara, D.Min

mefonfara@gmail.com

 

 

 

OPENING THOUGHT ...

 

Your prayer life molds your spiritual life

which molds your whole outlook on life!

-- Pastor Mike

 

 

 

WORSHIP SERVICE ... 

 

 

THE GATHERNG 

 

Seekers, let's gather in God's presence.

Faithful, let's gather to praise God.

Disciples, let's gather to receive new life through worship.

Everyone, let's gather to connect with God, our life's power!

 

 

 

WE CONFESS OUR SINS AND RECEIVE NEW LIFE 

 

Creator God,

 

Create within us a holy life. Make us aware of the sin that keeps us from living holy lives. Please forgive us of that sin and strengthen us to reject evil's power. In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, lead us to life anew as redeemed citizens of your kingdom.  Thank you for your mercy.

 

Amen.







 

 

 

 

  

 

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE        Philippians 4:6-7

 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, presents your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

 

 

 

MESSAGE

 

Personal prayer has neither specific formulas, rules, nor rigid structures. It is dynamic and not static. Every Christian prays differently according to present needs, circumstances, and moods. Therefore, how we pray reflects how we are living.

 

We must develop prayer habits that open authentic conversations with God. The Apostle Paul provides wise advice in the above Scripture from Philippians. Do not be anxious. Have full trust in God's providence. Be thankful that God loves the whole creation. Present our concerns honestly. Enjoy the peace that the loving God gives to His people. These are great suggestions.

 

The above are great characteristics for Christian living. Trust, thankfulness, honesty, and peace are great life habits

practiced by Christians like us around the world. Therefore,  we live what we pray!

 

This being the case, we must pray in ways that honor God and portray righteous Christian living.

 

-- Pastor Mike

 

 

 

CLOSING PRAYER

 

Almighty God,

 

Prayer is a privilege. We are thankful and honored to reach you when we pray, O God. Please fill us with the Holy Spirit's influence as we pray. Fill us with hope of better living regardless of our circumstances. Fill us with joy as we praise your holy name. Fill us with inspiration to live spirited lives all of our worldly days until we shall reside in the mansion for eternity.  

 

Amen.

 

 

 

BENEDICTION

 

Let us go forth into the adventure of life

living Christian, praying Christian,

and serving Christian.

So be it true!

 

 

 

("Souvenir Strip Mall on Mt. Sinai" by Pastor Mike)

 

 

 

SACRED MISCELLANY ...

 

 

Quotes about prayer are many, varied, and entertaining. The following quotes act like mini-sermons. Read them and see which ones get you thinking about your own prayer life.

 

Please let me know your favorite. Mine is number six.

 

1. "The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays."

-- Soren Kierkegaard

 

2. "Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts."

-- Mother Teresa

 

3. "The more you pray, the less you'll panic. The more you worship, the less you worry. You'll feel more patience and less pressured."

-- Rick Warren

 

4. "We tend to use prayer as the last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense. We pray when there is nothing else we can do, but God wants us to pray before we do anything at all."

-- Oswald Chambers

 

5. "I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer."

-- Martin Luther

 

6. "Lord, make me a blessing to someone today."

-- Jan Karon

 

7. "The wise man in the storm prays to God not for safety from danger but for deliverance from fear."

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

8. "Your prayers for someone may or may not change them, but it always changes you."

-- Craig Groeschel

 

9. "We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties."

-- Oswald Chambers

 

10. "He who kneels the most, stands the best."

-- Dwight L. Moody

 

 

 

That's all for this week's Wednesday Church. Come back next Wednesday when a new Wednesday Church will be posted by

5 a.m. on Wednesday, June 26th. 

 

Please let your family, friends, and neighbors know about this blog. The easiest way to get the word out is by "sharing it to Facebook." Simply click the "f" box at the end of your message. If you prefer, you can give the blog address - www.wednesdaychurch.blogspot.com  Let's grow this ministry together. Thanks again for visiting Wednesday Church on the Internet!

 

 

Pastor Mike Fonfara, D.Min.

mefonfara@gmail .com

 

 

  

 

("Sailing on the Nile" by Pastor Mike)