PRAY!
       Prayer and missions—what is the link? Generally speaking, as we examine the scriptures, every time God does something in the salvation history, it is preceded by prayer—not planning sessions—but prayer. For example in Acts 13 we read of the very first missionary journey sponsored by the church. This happened in Antioch. The pastoral staff of this congregation was worshipping and fasting. "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting the Holy Spirit said ‘set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off." (Acts 13:2,3) The result was Paul’s first missionary journey that took the Gospel to Cypress and across what is now Turkey.
       Notice that the first missionary effort of the Church didn’t start in a planning session but from the Spirit’s initiative as the leaders of the congregation worshiped and prayed.
       So it is appropriate and right that as we become more aware of our Lord’s call to do missions through Ablaze that we make a new commitment to prayer. In your small groups this week, make sure prayer has a prominent place in your meetings. Talk about ways that prayer can be promoted in your lives and in our congregation. Encourage one another to pray daily and regularly. Remember to pray with your Bibles open letting God speak to you also.
       May I be so bold as to ask you to pray for me also. Ask that God will fill me with His Spirit "that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel." (Eph. 6:19) For that, I thank you.
       
       Blessings,
       
       Pastor K.