|
2011 Prayer Support for Mission V. 2; N. 32
|
|
|
|
MISSION HIGHLIGHT
Eritrean Evangelical Lutheran Church 2010 LINC Houston is working through Zion Lutheran Dallas to reach the Eritrean population. Website |
|
|
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
Father, Your Son sent the 72 on the road, into the communities to bring news of Your reign in the universe and to the hearts and minds of your people. Give to us the resolution that reflects such determination in our own communities and neighborhoods for You lived, died, and rose again that we would bring the Gospel all the way to then ends of the earth. Give to us the courage to follow as You lead, where ever that would take us, for You live and reign, now and forever. Amen.
Reading Luke 10:1-24; Psalm 147
Reflection
"...and do not greet anyone on the road." Luke 10:4
Seems kind of unfriendly, doesn't it? When Jesus sends out the 72 as His ambassadors, He instructs them not to greet anyone along the road. What?! Don't say "hello" to people along the road? What harm is there in that? In fact, isn't being warm and friendly a prerequisite to being able effectively to share the Good News with someone?
Experts disagree about whether the instruction was given because Middle Eastern greetings of Jesus' day were elaborate and time-consuming. But all agree on this: the instruction was given because the mission is urgent. The 72 were not to be deterred by anything-even good things-in accomplishing their mission to spread the Gospel.
That message is for us, too. We are not to be deterred-the mission of reaching people with the Good News of God's love in Christ is urgent. People are dying without knowing Jesus! Don't let anything stand in the way of the mission, not even good things. Stay focused!
Jesus stayed focused. We read about that last week. "Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem." (Luke 9:51) Literally, "Jesus fixed his face to go into Jerusalem." You have likely seen that sort of intensity before-in the face of an athlete moving toward his goal or a musician performing a piece of music. Jesus' resolution to go to Jerusalem would take him to His death. But he would not be deterred in His mission: our salvation. He died so that our names would be written in the annals of heaven (v. 20), so that the Father might be fully revealed to us (v. 22).
So focus your prayers this week on those we are urgently called to reach. Don't be deterred! And focus your prayers in gratitude toward The One who was not deterred in reaching us.
By Rev. Jon Braunersreuther
MMF Area D, Texas District, LCMS
Pray (As you pray include . . . people who don't know Christ; people who will plant & witness; include people who pray. In addition, pray that the land be quenched with rain and that opportunities to bring God's love to individuals and communities impacted by the wildfires not be missed by God's servants.)
Benediction
"Peace be unto you . . . again, Peace be unto you; as the Father has sent me, even so send I you." AMEN.
|
|
| Note: Those items that are in bold italic are newly added to or timely emphasis items |
|
Pray that the members of the Texas District embrace the mission.
Lord, As fears grow concerning local, state, and 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. Amen.
|
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 Vicars and Call Candidates as the Lord leads them and their families for work in God's Kingdom. |
|
For Rev. Vijay Gurrala, LINC Houston, Our Redeemer Evangelical Church and University of Houston Student Ministry.
For Rev. Paul Hoemann, Lutheran Student Fellowship - A&M University.
For your Pastor.
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.
For New Workers in the District.
|
|
|
Pray for New Missions -----
|
|
For the Holy Spirit to guide the formation of Abiding Word Lutheran Church in Gonzales
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. For St. John Cypress as they look for their next mission start. |
|
The development of the "Uvalde Great Commission Outreach," in Uvalde through Del Rio.
For Redeemer, Austin to 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 WOBLO TX as they begin the adventure of bringing God's kingdom into darkness.
|
|
|
For Steve Sandfort, Mission Planting Vicar at Crown of Life, Colleyville and the launch team for Edge Community Lutheran, NW Tarrant County.
For the continued development of mission in the northeast corner of Area A and Candelaria in the Southwest.
For Epiphany, Pearland as they continue to develop their multi-site ministry.
For Mission Liberty Hill
|
|
|
Pray for Continuing and Key Events -----
|
|
|
The FiveTwo network across the world
For congregations to make bringing Christ to communities their top priority
For strong fellowship development among like minded witnesses
|
|
For Ramiro Guierrez and his family in the New Hope ministry. That leaders would be raised up for the surrounding community.
|
|
For Beto and a Church Plant that God would guide to the start of prayer groups and Bible Studies in the community.
Thank God for the approval of the I-360 visa application for Beto.
|
|
For congregations in Area A as they look to develop missional hearts.
St Paul, Ft Worth / The Summit at Aledo as they search for direction concerning their next Multi-Site Mission location.
|
|
For Parent Ministry in the Spanish-Speaking Church Plant in Carrollton, Farmers Branch, to break through the apathy to grow, and that parents and children grow in their relationship.
|
|
For ongoing connections with AVID teachers: Becky, Teal, Liz, Lindsey, Christina, Camille, Richard, and Cindy.
|
|
For POBLO and a new Ethnic Mission Plant in partnership with Our Savior, Rockwall.
For the search for Director for LINC San Antonio
For Missional Worker Training in Area C
|
|
For LINC NT work in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD and for protection of the children during summer vacation, especially from drugs and pregnancy.
|
For the Ten new church starts in Area B. For a new intern to help run SALI in the 2011-2012 school year. |
|
Circuit Seven and Wichita Fall Mission Initiatives. That mission culture be developed.
For High Plains Mission Network development.
For the 2011 Professional Church Workers Conference to be held in Klein, TX October 16-18. that the Mission of God be foremost in the heart and mind of presenter and participant alike.
For 10% of the Baptized members of TxDistLCMS to pray for mission
|
|
For SALI as they move out into other school districts as well as for the new Early College High School Parent Nights at Brookhaven College.
|
|
|
Pray for Congregations to grow in their discipleship response to the Gospel including their financial support for kingdom work. For Stewardship Resources click here. Pray for the U.S. Budget Process for 2012 and for the strengthening of our economy in the US and around the world for the continued resourcing of the Mission.
|
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 Worker Training in the Texas District, click here.
|
|
Blessings,
Rev. Steven Misch
Texas District, LCMS
806-433-4536 |
|
|
|
|
|
