by Denise Eaddy, staff member of The City Mission

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The past 40 days have been exciting ones here at the The City Mission.  The staff joined WayMakers in their prayer movement…Seek God for the City 2010 from February 17 through March 28.  WayMakers is a group that serves movements of united prayer for spiritual awakening and world evangelism.

The following is an excerpt taken from Day 38  “Seek God…to gather all people in worship.”  

He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written:  ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations?”  - Mark 11:17 

You’ve only begun to reveal Your magnificent purpose for the earth.  Keep on teaching us so that we blaze with bright hope for the destiny of all peoples.  Make us to be a people so diverse and numerous that we could never fit in our church buildings.  Summon people from every culture, language and race that You have brought to our city.  Call us all to worship You in the Spirit and in the truth as You have so long desired.  Gather us and make Your home with us.* 

  

Father, we pray that the City-Wide Prayer Gatherings at The City Mission will bring the community together in festive praise and that the body of Christ will find unity in worshiping You together. 

If you are in agreement with us, please join us and other local area pastors and ministries of Ohio Partners for Transformation as we petition the Lord.

*This is an excerpt from Seek God For The City 2010, published by WayMakers, Austin, Texas. www.waymakers.org Used with permission.

Effective prayer is prayer that… has and effect. Sometimes we find ourselves saying something like: “Well, I guess there is nothing to do now but pray!”  If we are sincere when we say that, the Lord whispers back: “It is about time you arrived at that place of surrender! Now I will listen.”  The Lord calls us to pray daily, earnestly, persistently.  He calls us to first recognize Him as creator and Heavenly Father, to surrender to His Will and then ask for our daily needs, forgiveness and protection.  He calls us to pray for our families, our leaders, our city.  Are you praying?  Am I?  Are we praying effectively for our city and the multitude of needs? Are we praying for revival and unity?   Are we praying for the upcoming mayoral election? Our new school year?  Are we surrendering?  Are we obedient to his will? Please join us on September 11 at 10:30 for a time of prayer for our dear city and all of Northeast Ohio.  You can register on-line by clicking on the link at the side.

You are likely familiar with the story of Martha and Mary at the end of the gospel of Luke, chapter 10.  Martha is busy.  Very busy. She has and agenda and it is not a bad one – serving others at her house.  She is annoyed, though, that her sister is sitting, not serving.  Listening, not speaking. Waiting, not doing.  Mary goes to Jesus first, to sit at his feet and hear from her Lord. Martha moves with her own agenda first then has the boldness to tell Jesus what to do! How often, in our busy office or home or church, we move ahead and tell Jesus about our agenda.  He says that Mary’s way is better. Mary has the boldness to listen. Read the end of Luke, chapter 10.  Then read Luke 11.  Jesus teaches us how to pray effectively and it begins by sitting at His feet.