A Means to an End?

James 5:16 provides a compelling reason to pray: “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”  It’s the Bible verse I often include at the end of emails highlighting prayer requests for our church’s prayer chain.  So, let me ask you:  Do you believe in the power of prayer?  Have you seen God answer prayers you have prayed?  I believe God answers all prayers, but only in a way that is in our best interest.  He’s certainly done so in my life.  It’s exciting to see God answer our prayers! 

Yet the amazing thing about prayer is that it is so much more than merely a “means to an end.”  It’s more than going to God to get what we want.  It’s more than bending God’s ears to meet our needs.  What if prayer itself were the ends?  What if God calls us to prayer, not merely so He can bless us, but so that we would draw close to Him?  What if prayer were not merely “a tool” to get what we want, but a way to experience the end goal of a deepening intimacy with Jesus?  Perhaps the act of praying itself is the end! 

This Sunday we continue our learning series Standing Tall in Stressful Times by focusing on the role of prayer in our spiritual growth and deepening relationship with Jesus.  We’ll discover four characteristics of prayer which will be sure to “jump start” your prayer life.  Could your prayer life use a boost?  Join us for traditional worship at 9:00
AM or contemporary worship at 10:45 AM.  If you missed last Sunday’s lead-off message for the series, please visit the message page on this website to get caught up. 

It’s going to be another inspiring, Spirit-filled weekend at Grace Church.  And, I trust you will decide to join us along with your loved ones.  For some, it’s been a busy week, an emotional week, or just an ordinary week.  But whatever you are feeling or have been through, Grace Church is a place of healing, renewal, and rest.  Please join us and bring your loved ones, if possible.  God is working powerfully in our midst to do “a new work in us.”  And, we’d love to have you join us for this new work of God in your life also!