2011 m2c texas prayer initiative 2.13

2011 Prayer Support for Mission V. 2; N. 13

MISSION HIGHLIGHT

Lakeway, ACTS

ACTS Church is growing in its outreach efforts northwest of Austin, infiltrating the community with Christ's love.

For the Website click here.

If you would like to contact Pete Mueller, click here.

Do you know people who would like to make a difference in the world?

Invite them to become an m2c Missional Prayer Partner. Forward them this link. click here!

Invocation

Gracious Father, as we consider the context of our business, quiet our hearts and our minds before You that You would lead us into wisdom, light, and life. Lift us above our discouragement and point us to the comfort of Your mission (for it is always our joy and delight to serve You) that You and You alone be seen in all we do and say. In the precious name of Your Son, our Lord, Jesus. Amen.

Reading Luke 5:12-28; Psalm 136

Reflection

The Greatest Miracle of All!

"March Madness" is the title given to the NCAA national basketball tournament. It is a good description for the two weeks of basketball because no one knows what might happen. Teams that should not have any chance in winning against bigger and better teams, upset a few favorites. The unthinkable happens all too many times during the tournament.

The unthinkable happens many times in Jesus ministry on earth and continues to happen today. Luke 5: 12-28 tells us of things that were happening in the early ministry of Jesus. People were being healed of diseases and demons were called out of people thereby freeing these people from the enslavement caused by diseases and demons.

A man who is covered with leprosy is healed, and Jesus tells him not to tell others about his healing. Mark's Gospel reports that this man went about telling everyone what Jesus had done for him. As a result, more and more people were coming to Jesus to be healed of their diseases.

One would think that Jesus' popularity among the people would be regarded as a good thing. Jesus, however, knows what his mission is and is not going to let popularity hinder his mission. Right in the middle of this chapter in Luke, after the miraculous catch of fish and the healing of many, Luke reports, "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." What a profound insight! To keep his focus on his mission, Jesus found time to fellowship with his Father through meditation and prayer.

Right after this verse on prayer and solitude, Luke records very clearly the mission of Jesus. Jesus has come to the earth to forgive sins. For the Pharisees, it was unthinkable. Only God could forgive sin, and they did not recognize Jesus as the Son of God. Through the healing of the paralytic Jesus declares that he forgives sins and that his mission is to forgive the sins of the world.

The people's response is better than the response of the "March Madness" fans. "We have seen remarkable things today." The healing of the paralytic and the proclamation that Jesus forgives sins is far better than anything this world offers to us. The greatest miracle of all is that our sins are forgiven by Jesus.

Rev. Ken Hennings, President, Texas District, LCMS

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

Benediction

May God be the source of your peace and courage today now and all day long. Amen.

Note: Those items that are in bold italic are newly added to or timely emphasis items for the prayer page

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

As fears grow concerning world events, make Your presence known, through Your church and through Your people in such a way that Your hand of grace would be seen calming hearts and minds ultimately drawing all people to Yourself.

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 missional workers in neighborhoods and communities in Texas and around the world whose hearts would reveal Christ to the world.

For Mr. Irfan Wilson POBLO TX, Our Savior Church of All Nations, Rockwall

For Mr. Chase Jacobs, SoulThirst, The Station, Denton

For your own pastoral leadership

For church planter coaches and those being coached
For those preparing for the ministry, that they recognize the heart and desire of Christ in every ministry to which they are called.

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)

Rev. Ed Benarsi and Pakistani worship at Our Savior, Austin on Sunday evenings. Pray for effective outreach and God's blessings on this new beginning.

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 St. Peter, Roanoke as it becomes a Texas Dist Church Planting Training Partner

For Mission Liberty Hill

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

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

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

Thanksgiving for God's movement in and through the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Makane Yesus.

Pray for Continuing and Key Events -----

The FiveTwo Wiki Conference on June 21-23, 2011

For congregations to make bringing Christ to communities their top priority

For strong fellowship development among like minded witnesses

For Hope, Lubbock as they discern their next mission step

For the Ten new church starts in Area B

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

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

For continued support for LINC

For the search for Director for LINC San Antonio

For Missional Worker Training in Area C

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

Pray for Congregations to grow in their discipleship response to the Gospel including their financial support for kingdom work. For Stewardship Resources click here.

Message to Partners -----

Even though changes on these lists may be subtle and infrequent, do not be discouraged in your prayers and do not conclude that things are not happening. There is active mission movement in the Texas District. Perseverance in prayer is one of the characteristics of this ministry, as I am sure you know.

I assure you that your prayers are being heard and are greatly needed. There is movement in the body of Christ in Texas and around the world. Thank you for your persistent prayer support.

This publication is made available for your encouragement in prayer ministry and prayer support for Mission 200 of the Texas District, LCMS. Reflections are authored by missionaries and leaders in the Texas District whose heart is to bring the Gospel to people who do not know Jesus Christ.

If you have questions, comments, prayer requests for planting, or if you are looking for information concerning church planting in your community, you may email your Area Mission and Ministry Facilitator:

Steven Misch | Paul Krentz | Mike Newman | Jon Braunersreuther

Mission 200 (M2C) is the effort of Texas District Congregations to start 200 new Word and Sacrament Ministries by 2017, the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. The Texas District prays that a mission movement can grow in Texas.

For more information and resources for mission planting in Texas go the m2c website by clicking here.

For information about Missional Work Training in the Texas District, click here.

Blessings,

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