Church, it’s time to pray…SPECIFICALLY that is! We’re half way through the year and there is so much ahead for us. I believe that we serve a faithful God who answers prayer. 1 John 5:14 says, “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” I believe that God will hear our prayer as we begin to move forward the rest of 2012. We need to take more ground in specific areas and I’m asking everyone in Grace Avenue to pray these things into being. God knows our needs and has always been faithful. Let’s pray in faith knowing that He will provide!

5 Things To Pray For:

1.) People With A Pioneer Spirit

Remember, Grace Avenue is not just a “church plant” it’s actually being pioneered from the ground up. God has been faithful to bring people who understand that there is work to be done not just on Sundays as people serve, but throughout the week as we grow together as a community. The “Love-Serve-Give” saying in our church is a lifestyle we try to impart to others as we follow Jesus. He said in Luke 10, “the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few….pray that God would send out the workers into the field” PRAY that God would continue to send “workers” (musicians, children’s workers, ushers, prayer warriors, faith-filled leaders, etc.) with a pioneering spirit and attitude to help lift the load.

2.) Meeting Place Of Our Own:

The movie theater is a blessing on Sunday, but it’s also the only time we can use the space. Any other special event or meeting has to take place in venues that we rent. Our last DNA night had 80+ adults in attendance! So we need more space! Whether it’s in the form of a building we rent temporarily or a permanent location, we need to pray for the area of town God wants us in, the space needed, the finances to cover the cost, the work needed to make it useable, etc. PRAY that God would provide space for main service, storage, children’s ministry and parking areas.

3.) Office & Storage Space:

Jannelle and I have used our home the last couple of years as well as the homes & garages of our team to store supplies, boxes, equipment as well as do meetings, counseling & teaching. We’ve gotten too big as a church to do that. Our home is already out of space for storage and office wise we need a place where we can meet with people. PRAY that God would provide office & storage space for us.

4.) All Current & Future Financial Needs

There are significant financial needs that must be met for Sunday services to happen & weekly community to take place. It takes a lot of money to do what we do as a church. Aside from that there are things that we must save for, plan for and invest for as a church. Good financial stewardship will keep us on track but God provides through His people and Grace Avenue still needs to grow significantly in this area. PRAY that everyone would do their part in being generous towards our future with their tithes & offerings.

5.)The Unity Needed To “Go & Grow” Together

One of our core values is unity. Psalm 133 says “Wherever there is UNITY….God commands His blessing.” As Grace Avenue GOES (moves forward week after week) & GROWS (people’s lives growing spiritually) we must pray for unity. GOING & GROWING forward stretches everyone and creates room in people’s lives for offense, distractions and petty arguments so that our eyes are focused on us and not the vision & mission. Even Jesus’ own disciples encountered this amongst themselves! PRAY for God to establish & keep unity between the people & the leadership as we GO and GROW together.

Love, Daniel & Jannelle