Hey guys.
What is the most imporant thing you can do for our Sunday gatherings at Hope City?
Practice more? Invite a friend? Practice some more? Yes. Yes. Yes. All important and helpful. But let me tell you what I think would be the most helpful, most powerful thing you could start doing each week as you prepare for Sunday… PRAY!
Think about it for a minute. How many people in our church are likely to think about the upcoming Sunday much, if at all, during the busy, stressful week preceding it? Not too many. So, how many people are likely to be actively praying for the upcoming Sunday? Even less…
As musicians involved in the music ministry of Hope City, we’re probably part of relatively small group of people that are actively considering our upcoming Sunday worship gathering. I want to ask you to find ways to start building a habit of praying for Sundays. They don’t have to be long fancy prayers. Just consistent and sincere.
When you logon to this website to see what’s what – say a short prayer. When you’re about to practice something – say a short prayer. When you’re driving to the church for a group practice – say a short prayer. When you’re on your way to church on Sunday – say a short prayer.
Prayers like:
- Lord, please would you reveal yourself to us in increasing measure, so that our worship response might grow in depth and passion.
- Lord, please would you help Stephen as he prepares this week. Give insight into your Word, sensitivity to the leading of your Holy Spirit, courage to speak truthfully, and humility to speak lovingly and compassionately.
- Lord, please help us to grow in holiness and purity that the words of our mouths might increasingly match the reality of our hearts before you.
- Lord, please overwhelm us with the truth of your glory and our great privilege to come as your children to worship you.
- Lord, please set us free from the things that hold us in bondage and that keep us from walking in your light.
- Lord, please work in our hearts this Sunday to help us love Jesus more in all of our lives
You get the idea…
And I’m convinced that if we pray more during the week, each Sunday we’ll come expecting more, we’ll come depending on God more, and God’s people will be blessed more as he works by His Spirit to answer our prayers.