How often do we try to work it out all by ourselves? We have a problem that rattles around in our brain for days, weeks or months and just can't seem to find a solution. Then we give it to God?
I hold both hands up here and admit that I have a tendency to do this. I get anxious and worried about stuff and then, several days later think, "wait a minute! I should be praying about this!".
Last night I was at a meeting about our Sunday school. We are at a wee bit of a crossroads just now and need to make a few changes to encourage more children to come along and accommodate those we have. Everyone has lots of ideas about what to do and there is much to think about and make decisions on.
So last night we all prayed for around an hour about this! Before we even have a planning meeting and put all our ideas forward, we have brought it before God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Ephesisans 6:18 NIV.
God wants us to consult him in everything. By praying together about this, we have committed this work to God and asked for his Will to be done. It was so tempting for everyone to use the time to discuss all the ideas and possibilities but thankfully we did not do this. The time was used wisely to praise God, thank him for all the past work done in Sunday school, and to pray for the future. The Lord was there with us in that home and listening to our petitions.
When I came home I felt a real peace about the planning ahead. I feel confident that God has a plan and will carry it out through us as he sees fit. I am not worried about the logistics of where do we put classes, what format do we use and so on. God will provide and give us wisdom on what to do. Someone prayed that first and foremost we should be right with God in all of this as well. I couldn't agree more with what he said. How can we teach young ones and plan for them if we are not right with God ourselves.
So we have much to pray about over the coming weeks. We will have a planning meeting but I am sure that there will be a great deal of prayer going on leading up to that. I am so thankful that we have a God who wants us to speak to him and listens to us. I am thankful to be part of a praying Church. It is all for Him and to glorify His wonderful name. It is so not about us at all.
I'm sure you will tell us how God worked all of this out someday soon. :o)
ReplyDeleteCollette,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this very much. It is always important to bathe matters like this in prayer together first. I am so glad that you all did and am thankful for your feeling of peace. Like Beth, I will be glad to read what God does lead you all do to reach and accomodate the children.
Have a great Tuesday!
Great post! I'm guilty of trying to fix everything myself just o find I can't. If only I would just give it to God for...why is that so hard for me to learn?!? Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI'm alot like you Collette. I tend to try to do everything "myself." Then get the a-ha moment to pray. You think I'd get a clue after about 100 times. As mommies, I think its harder for us, because we are used to doing everything for everyone, and not used to having some one to do something for us!
ReplyDeleteGreat reminder Collette! Prayer must come before planning.
ReplyDeleteAmen! And that's how it should be! Our Children's Ministry is ran that way too. Prayed up and read up!!! Nothing happens w/out prayer first. It's awesome how things go when the Lord is put before mans ideas!!!!
ReplyDeleteCollette,
ReplyDeleteI am so guilty of doing this. I love thinking that I can help God out by handling the little things and saving those big requests for him, or weeding out what I like to do and leaving the rest to Him.
I find if I just hand it all over to Him, pray about it and LET IT GO, God manages everything so perfectly and I am a better person because of it.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
It seems for those of us who are involved in ministry, we can get all caught up in the planning of it. We can forget that the ministry, and the responsibility of it, is the Lord's. It is God's ministry, not ours.
ReplyDeleteWe want to "help" but we have to pray for Him to lead and not go ahead. We also have to remember it is not numbers based ministry. We minister to whoever the Lord brings thru that door. No matter how big or how small.
~ Nan
Prayers sent to you!! The ongoing processes of giving over to the LORD is awesome and difficult.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I do great with this, but more often than not I try to fix it. Which is always a bad idea. It's almost like it seems easier to do it myself - like teaching kids who to do chores, I can pray about it or I can go ahead and try to fix it. (rolls eyes at self)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder