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2011 Prayer Support for Mission V. 2; N. 38
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MISSION HIGHLIGHT
High Plains Mission Initiative 2011 A newly formed coalition of LCMS congregations moving out in mission to the Panhandle of Texas. Click here for additional Texas District Mission sites |
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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!
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Invocation
O Father, You so love the world that you want a relationship with every person. O Jesus, You came to be "the Way and the Truth and the Life." O Spirit, plant in us a burning desire to invite people to come get to know Jesus with us. AMEN.
Reading Luke 11:37-54; Psalm 4
Reflection
WOW! Did you read this text? This one you can't skip; you have to go back and read Luke 11:37-54. (I know you might not have read it, because sometimes I take that short cut. This one is a hard saying you need to read and think about.)
When it comes to a winsome manner of sharing the Good News to invite people into the Kingdom - in this text, Jesus goes at it more like the proverbial "bull in a china shop." Jesus nails them to the wall again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again! You think you are tired of seeing "again and again," think about the Pharisees and Experts in the Law. Six times Jesus says "Woe to you."
The Pharisee invited Jesus to dinner, and then his dinner guest launched into a tirade that is aimed squarely at this host. Actually the Pharisee started it, whether he actually said something or just thought it (with Jesus, it's the same). He was offended that Jesus didn't follow the tradition of the Pharisees to ceremonially wash his hands before dinner. While my grandmother might have raised the same issue, this was a completely different empty ritual. It was a piece of legalism that allowed the Pharisees to stay smug in their self-righteousness. Jesus would have none of it, and called them on their hypocritical concern for outward appearances.
Jesus came to speak the Truth and to literally be the Truth from God. What he says to the Pharisees and Legal Experts is absolutely true. So you "speak the truth in love" whenever you can, but sometimes it's necessary to "speak the truth in law" when sin has to be confronted more directly. "And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them." (Ezekiel 2:5)
It's a tough, truth-speaking, prophetic message, but obvious Jesus knew it was necessary. O that they would listen and turn from their ways. Even the people of Nineveh would listen to the Word of the Lord through Jonah (once he finally got there), and turn from their ways. Regardless of the outcome, Jesus had come to speak the Truth and to be the Truth from God. He would tell His disciples "I am the way and the truth and the life." There can be no life without the truth.
If you have some Pharisees and Experts in the Law, it requires much prayer. Pray that the Spirit of Jesus will inspire your thoughts, put words in your mouth, and guide your actions. Then go to let Jesus use you to be the Truth.
Rev. Walt Waiser
Lead Pastor, Peace, Hurst, Texas
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
When the Spirit of the Living God sends you, even on tough assignment, He will provide the courage, and the strength, and the grace to do what He calls you to do. Go then with the conviction that He sends you. AMEN.
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| Note: Those items that are in bold italic are newly added to or timely emphasis items |
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Please add the drought and the fires to your prayers, remembering that there are many who do not know Christ suffering especially at these times.
Lord, use Your Body to bring peace to the world and to communities as they recognize the losses that they have had in these wildfires. We ask that You bring rain to our parched land. But more than this, we ask that You bring all people to a saving knowledge of Yourself, and were You to use us, we would be honored. Amen.
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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.
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Pray for Missionaries and their Families -----
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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. |
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For Mr. Jorge Mosqueda, LINC Houston Hispanic Ministry at St. Mark, Houston.
For Dr. Lou Jander, Prince of Peace Lutheran, Bastrop, Texas (lift up their members as well as the opportunity to share God's grace presents itself over then next weeks and months.)
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.
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Pray for New Missions -----
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For Campus Missions and those serving in those locations across Texas as students return to school.
For Hope Lutheran, Marble Falls, planted in connection with Genesis, Buchanan Dam
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. |
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The development of the "Uvalde Great Commission Outreach," in Uvalde through Rev. Gary Martin.
For St. Paul, McAllen as they investigate a new start with SMP Vicar Mr. Andrew Perry
For WOBLO TX as they begin the adventure of bringing God's kingdom into darkness.
For Epiphany, Pearland as they continue to develop their multi-site ministry.
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For Steve Sandfort, Mission Planting Vicar at Crown of Life, Colleyville and the launch team for Edge Community Lutheran, NW Tarrant County.
For the community celebration in Candelaria at the end of September. This celebration will include Area A mission presence.
For vicar and church planter John David Mull out of St Peter, Roanoke
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Pray for Continuing and Key Events -----
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Pray for the students and AVID teachers.
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For congregations to make bringing Christ to communities their top priority
For strong fellowship development among like minded witnesses
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| For Mission Liberty Hill
For Redeemer, Austin to implement childcare outreach.
For Ramiro Guierrez and his family in the New Hope ministry. That leaders would be raised up for the surrounding community. |
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Pray for the new partnerships between LINC NT and congregations in the metroplex.
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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.
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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.
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For the Ten new church starts in Area B.
Pray for the LINC NT staff
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Pray for a great start with the new SALI teachers in the Metroplex
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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
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Circuit Seven and Wichita Fall Mission Initiatives. That mission culture be developed.
For High Plains Mission Initiative 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
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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.
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Message to Partners -----
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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.
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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.
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Blessings,
Rev. Steven Misch
Texas District, LCMS
806-433-4536 |
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