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  Message From Doug… 
                          "A Time to Pray"


  "This, then, is how you should pray :
"'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.' NIV
Matthew 6:9-13 

       Every Sunday morning at 8:30am a group of prayer warriors from our church gather for a time of prayer. Over the years I have witnessed a powerful movement of the Spirit of God through this time of prayer. Our worship service has been empowered, lives have been changed, people have been healed, and those who are hurting have been greatly encouraged through this fellowship of believers who agree together in prayer.                                                       

     Prayer is a spiritual tool that Jesus has given us to use that I believe goes sorely neglected. My wish for you this Lenten Season is for you to experience this marvelous gift of the Spirit that Jesus invites us to make use of. Let me challenge you to pray every time you are tempted to do something wrong by the devil. I can’t help to believe that if every time the devil tempts you he knows that you are going to turn to God and pray, the tempting will soon stop. I also believe if every time you begin to feel discouraged you turn to God in prayer that the spirit of discouragement will soon flee from you. There is power in prayer in the name of Jesus.

    Some will say “How do I pray?” Jesus has given us the perfect model of how to pray in the Gospel of Matthew starting at verse nine. When you pray, think about each line and its meaning and ask questions like “What does this say about my relationship to God” and “What does this say about my relationship to others?” Let the Holy Spirit lead you in your thoughts and prayer. Most importantly be attentive and be listening for the still small voice of God as your prayers are answered. There is no better time to develop a discipline prayer life than the Lenten Season. It is the time that Jesus himself spent time in deep earnest prayer with his Father in heaven.

     We will begin the season of Lent on Wednesday February 22nd with an Ash Wednesday Service at 6:30pm. The Chancel Choir will sing, there will be the Service of Word and Table, and there will also be the Imposition of ashes for those who would observe this remembrance of Christ. Please plan to join us as we begin the celebration of this high and holy season.

Love in Christ,

Pastor Doug 

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Our Mission at First Church is to present Jesus in positive and loving ways, help people grow spiritually as disciples, and make the world a better place by relieving suffering.