A Praying Marriage

My wife Mandy and I recently celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary. It’s always amazes me how quickly the time passes once children enter the picture. Having five children can certainly add to the pressure of married life. Something Mandy and I have decided to struggle with is to fight for one another by praying instead of against one another by arguing. We certainly don’t do this perfectly, but seek to apologize and ask forgiveness when we miss God’s best. From one imperfect marriage to another, let me encourage husbands and wives listening to deal with the difficulties of married life in humble prayer. Forgive one another, and cover one another in as much intercession as possible. Some battles simply must be won on bended knee. Now that’s something to pray about!

Central Illinois School Of Prayer

Have you ever wanted to grow in your prayer life, but needed some likeminded brothers or sisters in Christ to grow with? Maybe you feel like you need some biblical instruction to help you. The first-of-its-kind Central Illinois School of Prayer launches in about a month on September 15 and is intended to serve this very need. There will be a total of 10 courses each Thursday night until November 17, and we’ll be looking at the theme of prayer in the book of Acts. Head to our website at gphop.org/school for more information on our first school of prayer semester. The classes are free of charge, and each instructor has a wealth of experience in prayer-related ministry. We hope you can join us. Now that’s something to pray about!

Back To School 2022

I hope you’ve enjoyed and been inspired by the summer school of prayer themed Prayer Points these past few months. The final summer school lesson is to pray for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year. That’s right, it’s that time of year again. Student’s, whether you’re in grade school, high school or college, let me encourage you to make it your prayer to grow in your relationship with Jesus more than ever before this year, and to be a light to your fellow classmates. Let’s all be sure to lift up teachers and administrators as they work tirelessly to educate our children. Lastly, pray for the safety of our schools, and that God would move mightily among students all throughout our community. Now that’s something to pray about!

Praying For The Church

Prayer summer school continues this week with an encouragement to pray for the church. When it comes to praying for the church, I recommend using the prayers of Jesus and the apostles. They can be prayed for your local congregation as well as the church universal. Besides being biblical and inspired of the Spirit, these New Testament prayers are positive in nature, which shows us that God’s heart is positive in nature toward His church. Focus on praying these prayers and soon your heart will shift in a positive direction for the church instead of perhaps feeling negative toward the church. Those prayers of Jesus and the apostles were given to us for a reason, and God delights in answering them as you pray. Now that’s something to pray about!

Roe v. Wade

The landmark decision on June 24 to overturn Roe v. Wade sent shockwaves throughout our nation. Against seemingly impossible odds, this unjust federal law has been reversed after nearly 50 years, and unborn human beings are safer now than in half a century. Let’s recognize this historic moment for what it is—an answer to countless prayers by a faithful God. Let’s continue to pray for our state and nation—that the conscience of all our fellow Americans would soften toward the unborn. Also, prayerfully consider an investment in local pregnancy centers as they serve vulnerable women in our community. Pro-life work is more important now than ever before. Now that’s something to pray about!