PRAYER MATTERS
Romans 8.14-17 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
One of our pups absolutely, positively, hates loud noises. Where we live, the fireworks around this time of year are continuous for a few days straight and the night of the 4th is loud. Like, really loud. Our home is close to the park where the fireworks take place, which is lovely for the humans. We have a fantastic view right from our backyard. But our oldest pup – it’s a nightmare. Her anxiety takes over and she is unconsolable. We have worked with our vet, tried the tips & tricks, you name it. She is so overcome with fear that her adrenaline kicks in and she is determined to find a way to get away from all the scary booms.
Our hearts break for her. We hold her, and whisper to her that it’s almost over, you’re safe, we’ve got you…we want her to know we’ll protect her. But she doesn’t understand.
God has these moments with us. Places we experience fear. Times when we are unconsolable, ready to run, unable to trust that He is protecting us. He is holding us, sheltering us, whispering in our ears, I’ve got you.
Does it break His Father heart, too?
I wish I had the answers. For my sweet pup. For those times my friends and family (and me!) are going through the dark times, when our instinct is to fight or flee. I have a dear friend who prays the Psalms. Another who turns up her favorite worship songs. I know a man who goes into his prayer room and gets on his knees before the Lord.
We have weapons, spiritual weapons, we know we can use in these moments. We also, thank God, have friends and church family who will pray on our behalf. Intercede. We, as prayer warriors, get to do just that for these many, many praises & prayer requests each week in our Prayer Letter. Thank you for your prayers and for sharing your faith. We will help each other get through our “fireworks” moments together, hemmed in by the grace and goodness of Christ Jesus.
With a grateful heart,
Ericka
Romans 8.14-17 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
One of our pups absolutely, positively, hates loud noises. Where we live, the fireworks around this time of year are continuous for a few days straight and the night of the 4th is loud. Like, really loud. Our home is close to the park where the fireworks take place, which is lovely for the humans. We have a fantastic view right from our backyard. But our oldest pup – it’s a nightmare. Her anxiety takes over and she is unconsolable. We have worked with our vet, tried the tips & tricks, you name it. She is so overcome with fear that her adrenaline kicks in and she is determined to find a way to get away from all the scary booms.
Our hearts break for her. We hold her, and whisper to her that it’s almost over, you’re safe, we’ve got you…we want her to know we’ll protect her. But she doesn’t understand.
God has these moments with us. Places we experience fear. Times when we are unconsolable, ready to run, unable to trust that He is protecting us. He is holding us, sheltering us, whispering in our ears, I’ve got you.
Does it break His Father heart, too?
I wish I had the answers. For my sweet pup. For those times my friends and family (and me!) are going through the dark times, when our instinct is to fight or flee. I have a dear friend who prays the Psalms. Another who turns up her favorite worship songs. I know a man who goes into his prayer room and gets on his knees before the Lord.
We have weapons, spiritual weapons, we know we can use in these moments. We also, thank God, have friends and church family who will pray on our behalf. Intercede. We, as prayer warriors, get to do just that for these many, many praises & prayer requests each week in our Prayer Letter. Thank you for your prayers and for sharing your faith. We will help each other get through our “fireworks” moments together, hemmed in by the grace and goodness of Christ Jesus.
With a grateful heart,
Ericka
from the week of June 30
Praises
- We are grateful for Pastor Curt’s extended time of leadership at Grace!
- Thank You, God, for putting people in our lives that share the love of Jesus.
- Starry Starry night was more fantastic than ever – we are blessed by those sharing their musical gifts!
- Praise God for answered prayer. He is faithful to be with us in our storms and with His love He answers every prayer.
- Praise God for this day, for our new pastor Gregory and for Curt and Kathaleen whose selfless service has prepared us for this time of transition. We are grateful for the past and excited and hopeful for the future.
- May we all be following the Lord! Praise God for Curt and praise God for Gregory.
- Praise God for a full church on Sunday (it isn’t even Easter or Christmas!) and for the time to worship with each other. God is good!
- Thank You, Lord, for uniting us in one service today.
- Grateful for Starry Starry Night. The music makes me think of what Heaven might be like.
- Father God, You have my thoughts, You have my heart.
- Praises!
- Praises for the hard work of our Pastor Search team. Thank You for Your time and service – may it all come to fruition.
- Praises for this opportunity to hear from Gregory.
- Lord, thank You for being with B and guiding him back to health!
- I praise God for this full church and that we were together with You, Lord!
- Praise the Lord for the blessing of J and G – they are my heart.
- God is with us in our waiting for answers for healing!
- Isn’t forgiveness so incredibly freeing and healing… Jesus shows us the way, we need to make the move. I am grateful to be forgiven and to have the opportunities to choose to forgive.
- A is grateful for her grandson who will be born in September.
- C is healing, thanks be to God!
Prayers
- Prayers for C who is having heart tests.
- Prayers for our friend who has cancer.
- Healing for S, wisdom for her doctors, travel mercies as they head to Seattle for testing. Lord, bring Your healing and peace.
- Please pray for all T’s needs and wants with love and luck. Thank you.
- Please pray for our daughter K who had a job interview and hopes to be moving to the next step.
- I pray for my friend that her recent biopsy is not cancer.
- Please pray for medical issues for P, strength and peace for N, and continued prayers for L who needs a job and patience for the wait.
- Please pray for S and family as they received news of a close family member suffering a massive heart attack.
- Prayers for K as they deal with some tough decisions that will be healthy for their quality of life, but difficult to enforce without the help of their friends/family.
- Prayers for those grieving and dealing with loss – Lord, please comfort them. For those facing death – may their minds be clear and may they be filled with God’s love and knowledge of a life with Christ, now and forever.
- Prayers for all those across the world facing death and destruction. Lord, grand them peace.
- Lord, S asks that You continue to give her strength and wisdom as she prepares to meet with her siblings. Soften their hearts, Father God.
- Please pray for all war conflicts in the world, especially for small children & their parents in Gaza. I am overwhelmed with grief.
- Prayer for sister D, for my brother-in-law, and for us to have a safe trip and a safe 4th.
- Lord, L still needs a job and it is becoming crucial. She trusts in Your timing, Lord.
- Prayers for G’s salvation, may she know and love Jesus as her Lord and Savior. May God break through her resistance to Him and free her what binds her here on earth.
- Praying for healthy minds, healthy bodies. We ask healing for Achilles and knee issues, and straightening of a spine!
- Continued prayers for our son and daughter-in-law and their family. Lord, bring healing to our son!
- Praying for Pastor Greg and family. What a privilege to have them with us in worship this morning.
- CC is asking prayer for her husband who has cancer and is in tremendous pain. We ask healing for all who are facing some kind of illness, Lord bless them, heal them.
- Healing for both C and S who are working with doctors to determine heart issues.
- God’s wisdom and direction for D and husband as they enter into a new season of life and experience health concerns. May their conversations be gentle, loving, and seasoned with hope.
THANK YOU FOR PRAYING FOR OUR CHURCH AND CAMP STAFF:
STAFF: (Pastor) Curt McFarland; (Family & Children’s Ministry) Sarah Huck; (Student Ministries) Kara Brown and Jahzeel Garcia-Figueroa; (Preschool Director) Becca Mailand; (Preschool Teachers) Amber Miller and Amiya Aparicio; (Childcare) Elise Bukowiec, Gracie Miller, Maddie Miller, Jennifer Brice, and Grace Johnson; (Media/IT) Deb Meyers; (Business Manager) Tammy Nunley; (Building/Grounds/Custodial) Dan Barela, John Yolo, and Marcus Barela; (Administrative Assistant) Ericka Clark; (Worship Leaders) Jason Wickson, Nathan Gross, and Jon Waite; (Intern Director) Larissa Belknap; Interns: Linda Camarillo and Alexandria Moran.
GHORMLEY STAFF: Joel Whitehead, Richard and Kim Hayland, Mark James, Anneliese Eastridge, Austyn Chenowyth, David Killings, Taylor Miller, Jeff Sansburn, Elliot Daly, and Kaden Schmidt.
CAMP GHORMLEY BOARD: Joel Whitehead, Rich Milhorn, Mark Baldwin, Tony Klein, Amae Merrill, Jeff Arkills, Suzanne Marinace, and Jeff Scott.
STAFF: (Pastor) Curt McFarland; (Family & Children’s Ministry) Sarah Huck; (Student Ministries) Kara Brown and Jahzeel Garcia-Figueroa; (Preschool Director) Becca Mailand; (Preschool Teachers) Amber Miller and Amiya Aparicio; (Childcare) Elise Bukowiec, Gracie Miller, Maddie Miller, Jennifer Brice, and Grace Johnson; (Media/IT) Deb Meyers; (Business Manager) Tammy Nunley; (Building/Grounds/Custodial) Dan Barela, John Yolo, and Marcus Barela; (Administrative Assistant) Ericka Clark; (Worship Leaders) Jason Wickson, Nathan Gross, and Jon Waite; (Intern Director) Larissa Belknap; Interns: Linda Camarillo and Alexandria Moran.
GHORMLEY STAFF: Joel Whitehead, Richard and Kim Hayland, Mark James, Anneliese Eastridge, Austyn Chenowyth, David Killings, Taylor Miller, Jeff Sansburn, Elliot Daly, and Kaden Schmidt.
CAMP GHORMLEY BOARD: Joel Whitehead, Rich Milhorn, Mark Baldwin, Tony Klein, Amae Merrill, Jeff Arkills, Suzanne Marinace, and Jeff Scott.
1 Corinthians 15.57 “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”