A Season of Prayer
As we seek together the will of God concerning our present and future, as individuals and as a congregation, let us do what we know to do and trust God to work within us and among us. During the Faith & Unity series Deacon Mel Doxie suggested a season of prayer to last from Pentecost to Thanksgiving using scripture in common to unite the FBC fellowship as we pray. So whether you are reading this in Seattle, Washington, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida or in the DC Metro area we will be together in this season of prayer. United in spirit let us be aware of one another and the possibilities that become real as God works within us. For our first scripture let us read and pray together the prayer of Jesus for His disciples, then and now, from John 17:20-23.
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
As you “pray” the scriptures read the passage for the first time and listen with your heart as some word or phrase stands out. Ponder over the words and let them come into your heart. When comfortably settled with the chosen words, be still and let them sink in and reflect upon them. As the phrase repeats itself in your mind and heart and you open yourself to God’s presence, respond in spirit with a prayer of praise or thanksgiving and return to wait upon God. Simply rest in God’s presence and allow God to draw you deeper into the word and closer to Him. Remain with God even after the prayer is finished and you continue with other activities. You may want to keep a prayer journal so that you are able to share with others your prayer experiences.
-Deborah Cochran
