Paula Blank, Chase Dillard, Jeanie Fuelberg, George Gendron, Naoma Glosson, Mandy Goss, Gina Griffin, Lisa Hanel, Darek Hart, Jeannine Hoke, Brady Holmes, Mandi Hurlbut, Claudia Jensen, Liam Jessin, Suzanne & David Johnson, Alan & Norma Jones, Bret Mansfield, Lon Mathews, T J Mayes, Huey McBride, family of Jack McGaffey, Judith Montross, Cory Monzingo, Barbara Mote, Carrie Naas, Ed & Grace Oliver, Blanche & John Pall, Jennifer Poehl, Edyth Shuhart, Melissa Smith, John Sparks, Barbara Tarrant, Katy Tatum, Bill & Margot Thompson, Joe Vendever, Ann Walsh, Rene Wassinger, MC Wellborn, Lurline Wilson, Charlie Wright, Glenda Wright, Patty Wright Military: Cpl Bridger Bond, 1st LT Clinton Burroughs, Cpl Danny Cecil, PFC Joshuah Feldkamp MP USA, Sgt Dan Fredenthal, L Cpl Cory Haynes, L Cpl Steven Haynes, Robert Hooker, L Cpl Josh Lawton, 1st Lt. Brock Lennon USMC, Lt J G Cherry Lynch, Cpt Jeff Mayes, W01 David Michael, E5 Ryan Miracle USA, L Cpl Edward T Oliver USMC, TSgt Eric Shuttlesworth, PO2 Andrew Straup & the USS Shoup, SSG Zach Ventresca US Army, Cpl Jake Wood USMC
Please pray for our church, the staff, the laypersons, the congregation, and our community. You can see our prayer garden just to the south of the church.
Please contact the office for our prayer list - out of respect, we will not publish names online for prayers. To be added or to add someone to the prayer distribution list, email our prayer list.
He Had Me at “O Lord”
Life is difficult. This noble truth hit home to me recently as I heard accounts of people in our community who were dealing with major traumatic events. In the span of about a week I heard about three families who were dealing with tough, life-changing events that came out of the blue. Hearing the news I felt my sense of security shaken. It’s easy to get complacent with the basic rhythm and order of our lives. Then a young family man with a promising future has a stroke, a mother loses a baby, a healthy person develops a deadly disease. My first reaction is typically shock, “Oh my God, that’s horrible!” Then, there’s a confused, “Why?” which I know I cannot answer. At some point I realize, “This could happen to me or someone in my family.” Shaken, vulnerable, I realize how fragile life is.
Saddened by the things happening to people I knew, I began to pray, “O Lord be with them. May they find your strength and comfort in the midst of their pain and suffering.” My heart was heavy and my mind burdened with worry as I considered what I could do and what might happen to the people in crisis. For days I seemed stuck in this awkward state of confusion and empathy, not feeling any relief or any sense of peace that I was praying effectively.
At about that time, my son Matthew sent me a song that he wrote. Now that’s one thing I’ll stop and listen to. I cherish the songs and poems Matt shares with me. He wrote this one after thinking about some of the high school students he teaches. Picture this, I get Matthew’s song via email and play it on my new iPhone (that’s enough to get me excited right there!). I’m sitting in my truck with my ear phones on. The diesel engine is turned off; my windows are rolled up so I can really listen. The guitar intro starts and I’m filled with anticipation. The melody comes in a quiet steady rhythm. Matthew’s soulful solo voice begins, “O Lord heal her eyes. Lord heal her heart and take the pain that tears her apart. Let her come back now. Let her come back home.”
Suddenly I had a church member in mind – a mother for whom I had been praying who was surely experiencing a pain that was tearing her apart. Matthew’s song became my prayer. I sat transfixed as Matthew’s song continued, “Give her something for her heart to hold. . . Give her your love ‘cause she tries, Lord, to stay close to you. And she prays, Lord, to break through. Let her feel you. Don’t leave her alone. Give her something for her heart to feel, Lord. Give her your love. . . Give her your love.”
The words and melody of Matt’s song perfectly captured what was in my heart. I’ve known for most of my life that David’s psalms were meant to be sung with musical accompaniment, but never have I experienced a psalm so prayerfully. With a grateful heart I said a silent “Thank you!” to God for Matthew, for his gift of song writing, and for the serendipitous way God got me to listen and feel the transforming power of prayer.
Prayer (by Richard Foster): My Lord and my God, listening is hard for me. . . . I need your help if I am to be still and listen. I would like to try. . . . Help me to try now. Amen.
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