Dear friends in Christ,
I was recently re-reading Forward Movement’s first publication from 1935. On the last page, there’s a powerful prayer “For Zeal.”
Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ came to cast fire upon the earth, grant that by the prayers of Thy faithful people a fire of burning zeal may be kindled and pass from heart to heart, that the light of Thy Church may shine forth bright and clear; through the same Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lord knows, our church could use some zeal! Our challenges are many, the needs of the world are great, and the transformational Gospel of Jesus is breathtaking.
After I fervently offered this prayer, I remembered a conversation a few weeks ago, when someone said that the first step of church growth is praying for the church to grow.
Then, as today, I wondered whether we pray for our church often and fervently. So, my friends, let us pray for our church. Pray for wisdom, strength, courage, love, mercy, blessings, growth, and even zeal.
Let us pray…
Yours faithfully,
Scott Gunn
Executive Director
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