Prayer (Friday)

Greetings, all. Today (Friday) is the final day of our week of prayer. The focus for today is - ME. Yes, today, we pray for ourselves and our needs. And God is waiting to hear.

 

The late Bishop William Milton Smith used to say to congregations after introducing a preacher and soliciting prayers for him/her, "And don't forget to pray for yourselves."

 

After spending time as a church this week in prayer for the pastor, leaders and the church, our focus in prayer now turns to our own needs. Banish the idea that doing so is selfish or mercenary. It does not have to be. We are encouraged to come to God with our needs and requests (Hebrews 4:16).

 

In the book Too Busy Not to Pray, Bill Hybels gives us a simple formula for prayer which he gives the acronym ACTS –

ü  Adoration. This sets the tone for prayer, reminding us of the God to whom we pray and his power (Exodus 15:11, Psalm 8, Revelation 4:11);

ü  Confession. Hybels calls confession "a neglected act." Perhaps it is because it is hard to admit we need help, even help from God. But confession is necessary for prayer to be effective (Leviticus 5:5, Psalm 32:5, Proverbs 28:13, James 5:16). Eugene Peterson says, "God doesn't seem to be embarrassed to be mixed up with lives such as ours...He doesn't keep his distance from us to protect his reputation."

ü  Thanksgiving. Note the distinction between adoration and thanksgiving. Adoration acknowledges who God is; thanksgiving acknowledges what God has done. It is one thing to feel gratitude, and it's another to express it. Prayer teaches us to express our gratitude (Psalm 103:1-5, Psalm 107:8, Isaiah 63:7, Romans 16:27);

ü  Supplication. We are taught to ask for help when we need it, and God is able to supply it (Psalm 55:22, Jeremiah 33:3, Philippians 4:6).

 

Put this model of prayer to work today. As Bill Hybels says, "God is interested in your prayers because he is interested in you" (Too Busy Not to Pray, p. 37). So pray for others, but don't forget to pray for yourselves.

Prayer (Thursday)

Greetings, all.

 

Today (Thursday) our focus on this third day of our week of prayer is the church. We will gather again as we have the past two days at Memorial at 6 p.m. for one hour.

 

Of course, when we speak of "the church" we are not talking about a building; and we are not just talking about Memorial AME Zion Church (although that is our concern). The church is more than a building. The word most commonly used in the New Testament for church ("ekkleesia") never meant or implied a building. The word church refers to the particular association of believers who were characterized by such features as faith (John 1:12; Acts 8:37), fellowship (Acts 2:44; Acts 4:32; Romans 12:5) and unity (John 17:20-21; Ephesians 4:4-6; Colossians 3:11).

 

Please prayerfully consider these passages of Scripture today as we lift up the church in prayer.

 

"I will give, in my house and within my walls, a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off" (Isaiah 56:5).

 

"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18)

 

"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord;  in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God" (Ephesians 2:19-22).

 

Thank you.

 

Pastor Kenneth Q. James
Psalm 119:33-34
"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 10

(no subject)

Sis. Eunice White shared this prayer with me today, and I thought I'd share it with you all. As it blessed me, I pray it will bless you.

 

May God Bless You (by Linda E. Knight)

   From His boundless wealth,
   may God bless you.
   From His endless joy,
   may God fill you.
   From the depth of His love,
   may God keep you through the coming years.

   May God give you the gift
   of perfect wisdom
   in every decision that you
   must make.

   May a light fill your heart
   and confidence fill your soul
   as you face life's challenges.
   And may opportunites beyond any
   that you can imagine now
   be only a prayer away
   as you entrust to God
   each new tomorrow.

Prayer (Wednesday)

Greetings, everyone.

 

Today (Wednesday) we ask that all who can join us in prayer at the church at 6 p.m. for one hour. Thank you to all of you who came out to pray yesterday - it was nothing short of powerful! The Lord graciously met us and blessed us who gathered with His presence and peace.

 

Today, our focus in prayer is for the leaders of our church - Stewards, Trustees, Class Leaders, the staff (ministerial and lay), and presidents of all ministries of the church. As you pray today, call each leader out by his or her name to God in prayer. They need our strength and our support in prayer.

 

Please consider these passages of Scripture as you lift up our leaders in prayer:

 

"Hezekiah did this throughout all Judah; he did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God, and in accordance with the law and the commandments, to seek his God, he did with all his heart; and he prospered" (2 Chronicles 31:20-21).

 

"Do not, O Lord, withhold your mercies from me; let your steadfast love and faithfulness keep me safe forever" (Psalm 40:11).

 

"O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and your dwelling" (Psalm 43:3).

 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).

 

"You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you" (Isaiah 26:3).

 

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:17).

 

"If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you" (James 1:5).

 

Thank you,

 

Pastor Kenneth Q. James
Psalm 119:33-34
"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 10

Prayer (Tuesday)

Greetings, everyone.

 

On this day, Tuesday, as we will join in prayer at 6 p.m., our prayer focus is for the pastor. I am sincerely asking for your prayers because at this current juncture of my life I have to be honest: I don't think I have ever been in greater need of the prayers of the believers. As your pastor, I have stood in the gap many times for you spiritually in your times of crisis or need. Now I need you to do that for me.

 

I ask you to focus on these passages as we pray as a congregation today:

 

"Now I know that the Lord will help his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with mighty victories by his right hand" (Psalm 20:6).

 

"May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations" (Psalm 67:1-2).

 

"Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere, just as it is among you" (2 Thessalonians 3:1).

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.  This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

 

"...I exhort the elders among you to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it - not for sordid gain but eagerly. Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away" (1 Peter 5:1b-4).

 

Thank you.

 

Pastor Kenneth Q. James
Psalm 119:33-34
"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 10

Prayer (Monday)

Good morning.

 

Let us consider prayerfully these passages as we pray as a congregation today.

"But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, to tell of all your works" (Psalm 73:28).

 

"Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:6-7).

 

"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you" (John 15:7).

When God has answered our prayers, let us not forget to offer our praise:

 

"In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears (Psalm 18:6).

 

Reminder: our corporate week of prayer begins tomorrow night (Tuesday, March 15) at the church from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. and we look forward to seeing as many of our members as possible. Thank you.

 

Pastor Kenneth Q. James
Psalm 119:33-34
"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 10

Prayer

Dear Members,

 

I wanted to clarify the times for prayer: we will begin the prayer on TUESDAY, not Monday, at 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. Please plan to join us. Thank you.

 

Pastor Kenneth Q. James
Psalm 119:33-34
"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 10

(no subject)

"My heart has heard you say, 'Come and talk with me.' And my heart responds, 'Lord, I am coming'" (Psalm 27:8, New Living Translation).

Greetings, all,

 

I am confident and sure as the Holy Spirit is leading me and guiding His church that God is about to do a new thing at Memorial AME Zion Church!!!

 

Because of the prompting of God that I sense and our need to be prepared for the next move of God in our lives, I am calling the church to prayer this week. Each night from 6:00 to 7:00, for ONE HOUR, the church will be open and I am asking that each member who can please meet us at the altar of the church and join us in prayer.

 

This prayer time means that there will be NO Bible study this week.

 

This prayer time means that there will be NO Members meeting this week; it is postponed until further notice. Please turn in the required reports for the Quarterly Conference next week, scheduled for March 24.

 

This prayer time means that there will be NO Methodism class on Friday, March 18.

 

I beseech, implore, and urge all of our members to join us this week for prayer at the church from 6:00 to 7:00 each evening.  This is a week of corporate prayer that you do not want to miss - spread the word!

 

Thank you,

 

Pastor Kenneth Q. James
Psalm 119:33-34
"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 10

Today's devotional reading from Charles Spurgeon (it wrote on me)

Beware of light thoughts of sin. At the time of conversion, the conscience is so tender, that we are afraid of the slightest sin. Young converts have a holy timidity, a godly fear lest they should offend against God. But alas! very soon the fine bloom upon these first ripe fruits is removed by the rough handling of the surrounding world: the sensitive plant of young piety turns into a willow in after life, too pliant, too easily yielding. It is sadly true, that even a Christian may grow by degrees so callous, that the sin which once startled him does not alarm him in the least. By degrees men get familiar with sin. The ear in which the cannon has been booming will not notice slight sounds. At first a little sin startles us; but soon we say, "Is it not a little one?" Then there comes another, larger, and then another, until by degrees we begin to regard sin as but a little ill; and then follows an unholy presumption: "We have not fallen into open sin. True, we tripped a little, but we stood upright in the main. We may have uttered one unholy word, but as for the most of our conversation, it has been consistent." So we palliate sin; we throw a cloak over it; we call it by dainty names. Christian, beware how thou thinkest lightly of sin. Take heed lest thou fall by little and little. Sin, a little thing? Is it not a poison? Who knows its deadliness? Sin, a little thing? Do not the little foxes spoil the grapes? Doth not the tiny coral insect build a rock which wrecks a navy? Do not little strokes fell lofty oaks? Will not continual droppings wear away stones? Sin, a little thing? It girded the Redeemer's head with thorns, and pierced His heart! It made Him suffer anguish, bitterness, and woe. Could you weigh the least sin in the scales of eternity, you would fly from it as from a serpent, and abhor the least appearance of evil. Look upon all sin as that which crucified the Saviour, and you will see it to be "exceeding sinful."

(no subject)

Click here: YouTube - Lord I Want to be a Christian

 

I had this beautiful Negro spiritual in my spirit today. This is my prayer as we fast on this first Friday of Lent: "Lord, I Want to Be a Christian In My Heart..."

 

Pastor Kenneth Q. James
Psalm 119:33-34
"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 10

Friday fast

Good morning, all,

Please remember that tomorrow (Friday, March 11) is our fast day. I am especially asking for the prayers of the church at this time. Thank you.

 

Pastor Kenneth Q. James
Psalm 119:33-34
"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 10

Sunday's sermon: Next steps

Good afternoon!

 

Last Sunday's sermon on February 27 was titled, "Lord, Teach Us to Pray" from Luke 11:1-4. What are the "next steps" God will have us now take in response to the Word we heard?

 

1. Jesus' disciples make a specific request of Jesus. What would you most like to have Jesus teach you?

2. We learn that God is to be the center of our focus in worship and prayer. How can we keep this focus in the proper perspective?

3. We pray "thy kingdom come" as an indication that we want God's will for our lives. In what ways do we need to change to allow the kingdom to come?

4. Do you trust God every day for provisions, or do you think you have to make your own way?

5. Do you find it difficult to forgive? Lewis Smedes (Forgive and Forget) says, forgiving is not forgetting ("You can never forgive people for things you have forgotten about. You need to forgive precisely because you have not forgotten what somene did; your memory keeps the pain alive long after the actual hurt has stopped"). Forgiving is also not excusing, smothering conflict, accepting or tolerance.

6. We must pray daily that God will keep us from any trial that seeks to threaten any of the confessions or petitions we make in prayer.

7. What questions/thoughts/convictions were raised in your mind as you heard this sermon or read this passage? How is God speaking to you now?

 

 

 

Pastor Kenneth Q. James
Psalm 119:33-34
"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 11

A Thought for the Day

"Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken." Oscar Wilde

 

Pastor Kenneth Q. James
Psalm 119:33-34
"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 11