The 29 Day Challenge: Prayers for Waco

Photo Credit - Mark Stevens

These two songs have been on my heart today, as I pray for our city. In the midst of the brokenness, the poverty, the hurt, there is light in the darkness; there is hope; there is GOOD news. I've been praying that God would open my eyes that I may see where He is at work, that I may see those around me, that I may love as He loves.

You're the God of this city
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You are

You're the light in this darkness
You're the hope to the hopeless
You're the peace to the restless
You are

Greater things have yet to come
Greater things have still to be done in this city
Greater things have yet to come
Greater things have still to be done in this city

- Bluetree, God Of This City
from the album God Of This City

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity.
Give me your arms for the broken-hearted
Ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see.

-Brandon Heath, Give Me Your Eyes
From the Album What If We

"Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'" – Matthew 9:37-38

"Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you. Pray to the Lord for it, because as it prospers, you, too, will prosper." - Jeremiah 29:7

About The 29 Day Challenge
As part of a series of messages on praying, Pastor Dan Yeary recently challenged us to set aside the next 29 days to pray faithfully and to intentionally seek God’s will for our lives and our church. As we continue to seek a pastor, we are praying for God’s direction & favor for our pastor search committee and that God would meet us, individually and collectively, at the place of our deepest need. I have committed to the 29 day challenge, to pray daily with my church and to seek out how I can more fully join in His work in the coming year. I plan to capture the journey and share some of my reflections along the way. Visit the full 29 Day Challenge series here.

The 29 Day Challenge: Day Three

Heading in the Same Direction

As part of a series of messages on praying, Pastor Dan Yeary recently challenged us to set aside the next 29 days to pray faithfully and to intentionally seek God’s will for our lives and our church. As we continue to seek a pastor, we are praying for God’s direction & favor for our pastor search committee and that God would meet us, individually and collectively, at the place of our deepest need. I have committed to the 29 day challenge, to pray daily with my church and to seek out how I can more fully join in His work in the coming year. I plan to capture the journey and share some of my reflections along the way.

One of the larger themes in my life has been the desire to join with others in God’s work, to be headed in the same direction with those with similar passions and purpose. There have been times in my life when I was fine living on my own and going off in my own direction. But that path is a lonely one. God created us for community, He created us to need each other, to value each other, to share life together in Him.

Last week, I had a dream, a dream that I was on a long bus ride full of other people headed in the same direction. It was authentic community. We were laughing and enjoying each other’s company on this long journey. It felt like family, letting down our guards and being our authentic selves as we prepared for the work ahead of us. Each of us was getting off at our appointed places, different stops along the way. Several people would get off in one city; a couple of hours later, others would get off in another place. We were all excited about the work that was ahead. And decisions had to be made – where was I called to get off? Who was I called to join? We were all part of one family, but we all had different functions, different places and different tasks that awaited us. We were all cheering each other on, because ultimately none of us could stay on the bus. I wasn’t sure where to get off. But I knew it required a choice, and I knew it was an important choice, not to be made lightly.

What a metaphor! As I continue to pray through the direction God is leading, I am reminded that I was not created to stay on the bus. As wonderful as the bus is, there are times that God calls us to step out into the messiness of the world around us and to join Him in the work that He is doing. I need to pay attention to the signs where God is leading, so that I know which stops to take, which tasks are mine to do. It is easy to get comfortable, sit back and enjoy the ride. But God has called us to more, to be busy about the work that He has ordained for us and to step out in faith at the appointed time.

I am praying today about where God would have me contribute more fully in my church. I have been content with my class and my life group. Yet, I think at times, I have been comfortable on that bus. And maybe God is calling me to do more, to find new ways to serve at church and to contribute to the larger body. There is much going on, many opportunities to contribute. But what is the best? And what role is God calling me to play? I continue to pray.

The 29 Day Challenge: Day One

Adjustments Needed

Today marks 29 days to Commitment Sunday at my church. This morning, as part of a series of messages on praying, Pastor Dan Yeary challenged us to set aside the next 29 days to pray faithfully and to intentionally seek God’s will for our lives and our church. As we continue to seek a pastor, we are praying for God’s direction & favor for our pastor search committee and that God would meet us, individually and collectively, at the place of our deepest need. I have committed to the 29 day challenge, to pray daily with my church and to seek out how I can more fully join in His work in the coming year. I plan to capture the journey and share some of my reflections along the way.

Each year, I attend the No Need Among You Conference sponsored by the Texas Christian Community Development Association. Each year, I come away with a sense of the kingdom work going on all around us, transforming lives & communities with the Gospel, the Good News of hope, love, truth for a hurting & broken world. Each year, I leave with a sense of wanting to do more, to be more fully involved in what God is doing. Each year, I leave with questions about what that looks like for me in my current position and with the skills that God has given me.

This year, though, as I left wrestling with those questions, I had the sense that there are adjustments I can make, that I need to make, to join God more fully, to be in the center of His will for my life. But, I remain unsure of what those adjustments are, and I don’t have a clear vision for what that looks like.

During these 29 days, I want to pray specifically through those questions as it pertains to my work. What adjustments do I need to make to be in the center of God’s will? How can I walk more fully in the calling that God has placed on my life?

“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” – Frederick Buechner

Lord, Guide my steps. Illuminate my path. Lead me in your way, today. Amen.