What's Going On? A note from Pastor Erick and Week of Guided Prayer - January 25, 2023
A Note from Pastor Erick: Two Things on Prayer – January 25, 2023
On Sunday, prompted by the Holy Spirit, I remembered the encouragement I had received in conversation with the pastoral elders to invite people forward for prayer in a worship service. Now, the best way to do it would likely have been to invite some people to be involved and spend some time planning and training. However, I sensed this was the time and launched it in the moment. The result was wonderful as people seemed to be waiting for such an opportunity and responded accordingly.
At this time, I would like to play catch-up on good planning methods. If you are interested in being someone who helps pray for people with me on Sunday mornings at the end of our worship time, please let me know. We will discuss who and how often and any other discussable elements and then find a way to carry on with this ministry in a way that we trust will bless many who gather on Sunday mornings. Please pray about whether God is calling you to this ministry at this time.
On a different prayer note: Save the date for WoGP (Week of Guided Prayer)! The planning team has been busy this month getting things ready and this is your advance notice that it is coming. Here are the details as written by the planning team.
Pastor Erick
What’s Going On? Week of Guided Prayer - Abundant Life
In March 2020 we were ready to begin a Week of Guided Prayer and then Covid struck and Mountainview closed down! Good news, April 16-22 has been set for a Week of Guided Prayer and registration begins March 16.
The Theme for the week is ABUNDANT LIFE. Abundant Life comes from God and embraces light and dark. Our world often portrays light as good, and darkness as evil but as our origin story tells us Light and Dark are gifts from our Creator to nurture us and all creation into abundant living.
What is a Week of Guided Prayer?
A Retreat in the middle of everyday life. The focus is attention to God’s activity in our lives through prayer; understanding that this is one way in which God is interested in connecting with us. IT IS NOT A BIBLE STUDY.
What happens during the week?
30 minutes at home reading and praying. 30 minutes in the church (at an agreed upon time) and Retreatants will share their prayer journey with a trained “Prayer Companion”. Retreatants connect with God by reading the supplied bible verses and devotionals, and then choose a verse or devotional that resonates with them.
They will:
Pray using imagination - What would it be like to be there? How would I feel if I was in that situation?
OR
Meditate on it - Let the passage stir their own experiences and memories, or a combination of both. They will ask God: What is it in this passage that you want me to focus on? What is it that you want me to learn? Where are You directing me?
Who is a Retreatant and Who is a Companion?
A Retreatant is someone who desires to take a further step connecting with God in their prayer journey.
A Companion is someone who is trained, and feels called to journey alongside a Retreatant. Your Companion will help you to be attentive to God’s leading, by asking questions, offering suggestions, and sharing experiences.
What does a Week of Guided Prayer look like?
April 16, Sunday: After the service 12:00 noon lunch is served, and we begin a 2 ½ hr Opening session including instruction on praying scripture. This is an opportunity for fellowship between Retreatants and Companions.
April 17-April 21, Monday-Friday: 30 minutes praying scripture at home, 30 minutes at church with a prayer Companion.
April 22, Saturday: 8:30 am breakfast is served, and we begin a 2 ½ hr Closing session. We celebrate how and where God has touched us through the week, and with a time of communion and prayer.
A Week of Guided Prayer really is an amazing experience to put aside time and talk to God in the extraordinary ordinary days of our life.
Questions?
Please contact Graham or Lorraine Austin or Margaret Vermeer.