Last night our church began a new venture, weekly services on a beachside campus, reaching believers and those who have yet to hear and commit to conservative Christianity. It has taken years, months, days, hours of praying, planning, working, making contacts, and all who attended the first formal service were blessed.
In my book, It’s a God Thing!, John Phelps and his young bride undertake just such a venture. Although this was written independently from our Covenant Presbyterian Church’s opening service last night, it reflects the kind of prayerful consideration of just such a venture. In the book, the young pastor, John Phelps, will begin a series of evening messages designed to bring the gospel to unchurched people in New York City. Here’s the dialogue. Undoubtedly, we should approach every decision with such prayerful consideration, letting God tell us when the timing is right, how to approach situations, and recognizing when it is His motivation and not merely our “good idea.” This is from my book, published in December of 2012.
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“Would you pray with me about this?”
Holding hands, they bowed together before the Lord, John began: ‘Lord, we want to walk in your paths and do your will. Is this idea mine or yours, Lord? Please give us a sure sign of your intent, and help us to know exactly how to execute your leading. Help us not to run ahead of You, but to know your sense of timing.”
Deirdre continued, ‘Lord, help me to be the halpmate you gave to John so he can do your work according to your will. What is my role in this endeavor, Lord? Help me to know which details are Yours and which are mine, and give you the glory for taking me along the route You want us to follow. Make our path clear and use us mightily for your work here. Lord, give us insight, strength, imagination, discipline, and wisdom to know and do Your will. Give us sure and certain knowledge, make the Divine Appointments for us, prepare our hearts and those of John’s listeners, and guide us with format, times, places, and all we need to reach others for your kingdom. We bless you, Lord, for your providence.’
‘Lord,’ prayed John, ‘I praise you for all you’ve done for us, for all you continue to do, and for this lovely wife you’ve given me to share the load. I praise You for Your majesty, Your bounteous love, and your goodness in providing all we could ever want or need. Give us no peace unless our wills rest in Yours. Amen.’
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Getting back to our church’s new venture, I know it has been bathed in just such prayer, and that in God’s good timing, the first service has just occurred. The elders have prayed about this, God has opened this opportunity, and to His honor, we may just have to find a larger venue. Who knows? Last night’s opening service was a blessing to all who attended, and to the Lord be the Glory!
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