m2c 2011 prayer initiative

2011 Prayer Support for Mission V. 2; N. 04

Ministry on the Border,
Cristo el Salvador, Del Rio

Since 1973 Rev. Gary Martin has served as a missionary in Del Rio, Texas. He served Grace, Lutheran until 1983 when he planted Cristo el Salvador in Del Rio. He has trained lay workers to bring the Gospel across the border into Mexico. You may email Pastor Martin by clicking here.

Invocation

O God, in You alone there is hope, in You alone there is joy, in You alone there is peace. Use the children You have called to bring the same message of hope, joy, and peace to the world, to the glory of your only Son, Jesus. Amen.

Reading Luke 1:57-80; Psalm 51
Reflection

The text seems, without context, utterly routine. So natural: a mother gives birth, another Jewish boy is circumcised. Commonplace. As routine as daily prayer.

But things are not as they seem.

So the church in the Daily Office of Matins sings the Benedictus , the prophetic song of Zechariah. By this in all the daily routine of our lives we are reminded there is more. The God who can so easily disappear in the routine, the natural, the commonplace of our lives, becomes the Living Center of life, All in all.

We sing the Benedictus because we live by the prophetic Word. The "inscripturated" Spirit speaks to us the Word of Eternal Life and the mute sing and shout, "pray, praise, and give thanks."

The Holy Spirit alone can do this. He is the "Lord and Giver of Life" who gives us the One Who is the Life and then bids us to pray and prophesy with all boldness in His Name. Now the Royal Priesthood (I Peter 2:9)in the High Priest Himself share the role of prophets, priests, and kings. As Church Militant this is done nowhere more profoundly or importantly than in prayer for the mission of the Church for the sake of the world directed to the God Who is the God of saving grace and mercy in the Christ, the very Sun from heaven, Who would bring light and salvation to the whole world.

And we daily sing, "you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High..." Words fulfilled in the life of John the Baptist; yes, once in the history of salvation. But more. By the Holy Spirit given in Holy Baptism, words to be applied to every son and daughter of the Most High! This is holy vocation in the holy living of the royal priesthood, those in mission sent by the Missionary Spirit. Come Holy Spirit, fill us and let us prophesy all the glory of the One Who is the Life and would give Life to all as You bring Him to us, Lord and Giver of Life!

Pr. Steve Morfitt

Pray
(As you pray include . . . people who don't know Christ; people who will plant & witness; people who pray. )

Benediction

Go now, in confidence, knowing that you have been sent to offer the most expensive gift in all the universe, Jesus. Amen.

Note: Those items that are bold italic are newly added items to the prayer page

Pray that the members of the Texas District embrace the mission.

Pray for Missionaries and their Families -----

For the Preparation of new Church Planters who are ready to enter into this challenging and difficult ministry in Texas and throughout the nation

For the Center for Us Mission CPAC. Pray that men and their families are raised up for vital church planting in our church body.

For the unseen workers in neighborhoods and communities in Texas and around the world.

For Dr. Johnson Pette, LINC Houston Chaplain Methodist Hospital

For Mr. Joshua Smith, Arlington POBLO Lutheran Student Center, UTA

For your own pastor

For church planter coaches and those being coached

Pray for New Missions -----

For the Holy Spirit to guide the formation of Abiding Word Lutheran Church in Gonzales, Texas

For Hope Lutheran, Marble Falls, planted in connection with Genesis, Buchanan Dam

For Grace Community Church (Pakistani / Indian)

For Mission Marble Falls as it launches worship.

For Redeemer, Austin to strategize and implement childcare outreach.

For St. Paul, McAllen as they investigate a new start with SMP Vicar Mr. Andrew Perry

For the development of mission in the northeast corner of Area A and Candelaria

For St. John Cypress as they look for their next mission start.

For Epiphany, Pearland as they continue to develop their multi-site ministry.

For Mission Liberty Hill

Pray for Continuing and Key Events -----

For congregations to make bringing Christ to communities their top priority

For strong fellowship development among like minded witnesses

For Missional Worker Training in Area C

For the search for Director for LINC San Antonio

For Hope, Lubbock as they discern their next mission step

For the Circuit Four Convocation in March, focusing on college ministries at the many campus' in West Texas.

For the Ten new church starts in Area B

For continued support for LINC

For POBLO and a new Ethnic Mission Plant in partnership with Our Savior, Rockwall.

St Paul, Ft Worth / The Summit at Aledo as they search for direction concerning their next Multi-Site Mission location

For 10% of the Baptized members of TxDistLCMS to pray for mission

For workers as they gather together that the Mission of God be foremost in their discussions and that such resides in the hearts and mind's of each participant.

For Jan 17-19 Circuit Counselors Retreat

For Jan 27-29 Early Childhood Educators Conference

For Congregations to grow in their discipleship response to the Gospel including their financial support for kingdom work.

Message to Partners -----

Thank you for your prayers. They are vital to the health and movement of the God's people. Of course God's kingdom comes on its own but in these petitions we pray that they come also to the heart of every man, woman, and child with whom we have contact. Don't be shy about inviting fellow disciples to be a partner in prayer!

To read more about the Texas District Prayer Initiative click here.

Blessings,

Rev. Steven Misch
Texas District LCMS
806-433-4536