Thursday, January 5, 2017

Praying God’s Use of Me in My Church – Day 4

 (submitted by Kerry Patton)
 And Jesus said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they were amazed at Him.
Mark 12:17
For My Service to the Church, O God… May Your Will Be Done
So here is an odd use of a scripture.  Mark 12:17 is usually employed as an encouragement for presenting one’s tithe to the church.  Give your appropriate tax to the government, but also give your appropriate tithe to the church.  Render unto Caesar, and render unto God.  Right?  But I’m sitting here thinking about time and energy.  Oh my gosh…our lives are so busy with rendering our energy and time to the responsibilities of this world.  How many hours at work?  Is it 40?  Is it 60?  Is it more?  Then there are responsibilities at home.  The grass has to be mowed.  The kitchen, the cooking, the laundry.  Quality family time needs to fall in there somewhere…  And what?  You need someone in the church nursery?  In the youth room? On the mission trip?  Serving the poor at Center of Hope?  HELP!!
Who was it that said… “If the devil can’t stop you, he’ll work to burn you out.”  Truth.  It is balance that we seek.  We are looking for God’s management…His will to be accomplished in our lives…in every realm.  Today, we pray that his will be accomplished in our use in the church.  There is danger in both being under-employed as well as being over employed in His service at the local church.  We need wisdom and guidance.
We asked members of our Prayer Advocates team to contribute prayers as examples of how they ask for God’s will to be fulfilled being used in the church.  As you read their prayers, may the Holy Spirit of God inspire you and lead you as you pray for God’s will to be done in your own life. 

From Alan Myers:
“Father, You have designed Northside as a body of believers and each of us is important in helping the body to function. Burden me with the need to serve with the gifts you have given me.”
From Judy Myers:
“Allowing a bit of humor here I would pray for more time in a week to travel back and forth to Weatherford from Granbury and for God to make a “quick bridge” from Granbury to the church.  When we first thought about joining that was one of the reasons we hesitated, would we have time to spend in working at the church considering the distance.  At first I tried to do it on my own and found I was there more than at home, doing foolish things like running a cake all of the way to Weatherford wasting valuable time I could be in prayer at home for the situation when others were more than willing to bake a cake.  It didn’t take long for God to reveal to me where He wanted me to serve instead of where Judy wanted to serve.  I pray that God will continue to use me in our church but that I will be still and wait upon Him to show me where He wants me to serve.”
From Robin Moore:
“God you know that I want to be used of you in my Church and with my church family. Lord you know the problem that I have getting to church due to my work and hours. Thank you God for the prayer group that I am in and praying for those in need. It’s great to know we can all pray together and stand in the gap for others that are hurting or suffering. Thank you Lord for the internet that I can worship in between my work duties :) and I can be a part and sing and praise with the others. You are an awesome God. Amen”
 From Laura Patton:
“Heavenly Father, for our church, I ask for Your hand of wisdom and protection be on all the ministers and staff.  That You would bring healing, health, strength, rest, vision, wisdom, creativity and depth of relationship to all those who lead and guide our church.  That You would fill each of us with passion and purpose for doing Your work.   May our church be a place of healing and hope for the broken and hurting.  May our hands and feet be Your hands and feet.  May we listen for You in every song, sermon, Bible Study and child's laugh.”
From Kerry Patton:

“Almighty God, what a privilege it is to be a part of a loving church family.  And you have raised up talents within each of us to make certain that your body functions effectively and efficiently.  Let me never be underemployed, O God.  Make me always at the ready to serve in whatever capacity you ordain.  Let me be your hands, your feet, your voice to those who walk through our doors and sit in our classes and services.  Use me to lead, or follow, or sweep…and in whatever I am employed, let me serve you with gladness and joy.  Help me never be too busy to be still, and make me never to stable to not GO when you instruct.  Use me, and use my family.     In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

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