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There are those times in our lives when we find ourselves standing in the need of prayer. As individuals and families, we find ourselves standing in the need of prayer when we face transition and trials as well as the everyday challenges of life. As a church, we find ourselves standing in the need of prayer each day as we answer the call to be the Body of Christ in today’s world. We also stand in the need of prayer when we face particular challenges.
As a congregation, we are facing a particular challenge as we stand today in the need of prayer. A week ago Wednesday, Reverend Amy Fritts, our Pastor to Students, shared with our young people her family’s decision to move to Texas. This past Sunday, she read her letter of resignation at the close of each of our worship services.
As we face this time of transition, there are a number of ways that we need prayer. I am listing the ones that have come to my mind. If other concerns come to your mind, I hope that you will share them with me so that I can add them to my list. As we consider how we need to be praying for our church, I want to ask you to make a list of specific concerns so that you might be reminded daily of the needs of our congregation.
Prayer Concerns:
The Fritts Family. Pray for them as they prepare to move. Pray for Josh as he transitions to a new school. Pray for McKenna and Garrison as they leave behind their Tennessee home. Pray for Amy as she leaves behind young people she loves.
Also begin praying for those to whom Amy will minister in Texas. She is not leaving us to answer a call to another church, but to move closer to her parents. Nevertheless, Amy has been gifted and called by God to the ministry of the Gospel. I am confident that new avenues and opportunities for her to serve our Lord are in her future.
Pray for our young people. Many of them are deeply attached to Amy. For some, she is the only youth minister they have ever known. Pray for them as they grieve her departure. Also pray that the Holy Spirit would begin to prepare their hearts to receive the Pastor to Students that God has for us.
Pray for the committee that will be responsible for leading the Pastor to Students search process. As a church, we have not yet assigned that responsibility, but it is certainly not too early to be praying for those who will serve us in this capacity.
Pray for that person that God has prepared to come and love our young people.
Pray for me. I am on a youth retreat this weekend. On second thought, you better pray for them.
Joy and Peace,
Ed
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