Community Prayer...

Last night at our monthly community prayer the focus was definitely outward and missional.

We summarized Ezra and got great encouragement from the fact that God moved the hearts of Kings to accomplish his purposes for Israel (e.g. building them a temple).

Ezra tells us that through God's hand AND the involvement of 3 Kings, the work was accomplished.

(6:14b) They finished building the temple according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia.

Later, 3x, Ezra tells us that b/c of God's hand the King contributed to the work, a skilled laborer was provided, and they found protection on their journey.

(7:6b) The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him.

(8:18) Because the gracious hand of our God was on us, they brought us Sherebiah, a capable man, from the descendants of Mahli son of Levi

(8:31b) The hand of our God was on us, and he protected us from enemies and bandits along the way.

With confidence, dependence, and trust we prayed for God to open doors in our community to share the message of Jesus... to bring many walls down that stop people from embracing the message of Jesus and the presence of the church... and to give us favor with our city as we strive to dig roots into our community so we can be God's living and local presence.

Lots of other prayers came out:
- for a coffee visit with a friend who's religious background often keeps her from God
- for a new relationship being built with a new mom in the community
- for someone who feels persecution from her co-workers b/c of her faith (this can actually happen when you shine the light of Jesus at work) - specifically that every time she prays for those who persecute her, God will soften the hearts of people around her. (check this out for an encouraging word from Jesus)
- for our work places, that God would use each Christ follower to be His living and local presence
- for the process Westside is in looking for new space in the West Island... that God would move the hearts of Kings (i.e. city officials)

As always, Community Prayer helps me and others grow in the practice of prayer and a greater dependence on God.