From the Prayer Corner - Prayers as Praise

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We all know the world seems crazy right now. As we face a global pandemic together, replete with worry, job loss, school closings, both sides of the political aisle arguing and blaming, fears for our health and the health of our loved ones, and more...our hearts can feel heavy and burdened.

 

But, although it may feel strange, the most important thing we can do right now, or in the middle of any crisis, is to praise God.

 

Psalm 18:1 tells us the heavens declare the glory of God, the skies display His craftsmanship. It says day after day they speak, and night after night they make Him known. This season of Spring also declares God’s glory in the beauty of nature coming alive again.  Our greatest strength in times of uncertainty is God. So, to find freedom from anxiety, stress, worry, and feeling overwhelmed, we can begin our prayers by praising things we know to be true of God.  Plus - Scripture tells us repeatedly to PRAISE GOD!!

 

Surely we all have our own personal lists of things we can praise God for – He is our Father, our Creator, our Rock and our Refuge; He is our Healer, our Comforter, our Shepherd and our Guide. But here are some specifics from scripture:

 

Praise God for His glory and might. (1 Chronicles 16:28)

Praise God for His wisdom and power. (Daniel 2:20)

Praise God for Jesus. (Ephesians 1:6)

Praise God for His unfailing love. (Isaiah 63:7)

Praise God for His peace.  (I Kings 8:56) 

 

God’s Word says that He inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3 KJV).  It’s amazing to think that God, in all His fullness, inhabits and dwells in our praises of Him.  When times are difficult, and someone asks, “Where is God in this situation?”, we can know that God is found in our praises.  Offer praises to Him in your prayers today!

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(Portions taken from an article by Anne Peterson, Crosswalk.com)

Wednesday Morning Prayer – 8:00am-8:30am 

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Prayer is a powerful way for us to receive the grace of God in our life. As we pray God moves. God moves in response to our requests. God moves closer to us in relationship. God moves on our hearts so that we more deeply experience his love. These are powerful things we don’t want to miss as a church community. Come join your pastors every Wednesday in the sanctuary, as we set aside time to pray to our God. Make the effort to come before work! Come as a way to jumpstart your day!  

Join the Email Prayer Team! It’s easy.  Here’s how:

 

Contact Lora Stafura in the church office at  lstafura@bakerstownumc.org  or

Cathy Dambach hwdambach@consolidated.net, or Heather Brown hlrdab@hotmail.com and the monthly prayer list will be emailed to you. Occasionally we also have weekly urgent requests that are sent out as well. Thank you!

 

 “Nothing tends more to cement the hearts of Christians than praying together.”  

- Charles G. Finney