American Reformation Church Prayer Journal 76
ARC Prayer Meeting:
This past Sunday, American Reformation Church was blessed to worship God in Spirit and Truth and also hear the ministry of God’s Word from my son, Micah Thomas. Micah and his bride, Bella, have been an intricate part of establishing ARC and getting it up, running, and fully functional. Most of their works are done behind the scenes where no one sees, except God. He will be faithful to reward them openly for their diligent service to Him and others.
Sunday, Micah stepped out of the shadows into the light of public ministry. He got behind the pulpit and gave our church much heaven. His message entitled “Pitted against Purpose” is based upon his upcoming book on the subject of purpose called “Unlost.” My wife, Kendra and I, have assisted him a bit in this writing and pray it will be a blessing to many.
The book targets two audiences. First, it is written to this generation of those who are lost, wandering in the dark wilderness of relativity, searching for meaning, truth, and purpose. It is also written to Christians who may be saved, but still lack a sense of a God-ordained purpose in their lives.
Micah brought out three main pits that people fall into that circumvent purpose in their lives. First, is the pit of deception. This is a man-pleasing spirit valued by men, but can distance us from God. Second, is the pit of sin that pulls you a part and renders you disabled to fulfill your purpose in God. Third, is the pit of destruction, where not only you and your purpose is being destroyed, but you become an agent of destruction to destroy others and their purpose.
How does this message tie into developing our prayer life? There is much in every way. In the Bible, prayer and purpose are intricately linked. Prayer is presented as a means to discern God's will. Prayer is meant to align one's life with His purpose. This secret place of prayer is where we find meaning and fulfillment. Through prayer, we seek surrender, guidance, strength, comfort, provision, protection, and a host of other needs allowing us to understand and live out God's intended purpose for our lives.
Sadly, so many treat prayer as a routine ritual or religious formality, but it is a dynamic process that connects us with God. We are invited to come boldly to the Throne of Grace to receive mercy and grace in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Prayer enables us to discover, embrace, and live out the purpose the Lord has for our lives.
We look to the Master who taught His people to pray as the glorious example of this truth. Agonizing in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was caught in the cross hairs of God’s will and purpose. Thank the Lord, He fought that inward battle and won the victory. Not only did He win it for God’s plan of redemption in the earth, but also for our personal salvation. Jesus decided on God’s purpose for His coming to earth, through extremely painful and costly.
Jesus stated, “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour” (John 12:27). He crossed that difficult line with these immortal words of prayer, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).
If the Lord needed prayer to fulfill God’s will and purpose for His life, how much more the sons of Adam and the daughters of Eve?
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