Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ. Colossians 4: 2-3.
August 10, 2010
Dear Mission Prayer Partners,
“It is amazing that a poor human creature is able to speak with God’s high Majesty in heaven and not be afraid. When we pray, the heart and the conscience must not pull away from God because of our sins and our unworthiness, or stand in doubt, or be scared away. When we pray we must hold fast and believe that God has heard our prayer. It was for this reason that the ancients defined prayer as an Ascensus mentis ad Deum, ‘a climbing up of the heart unto God.’”
This quote from Martin Luther describes the wonderful relationship that God desires for us. I can neither earn nor deserve the grace I receive each moment of my life. What a blessing we have each received. It is that same blessing that I want others to experience and why, for me, finding ways to share this faith is so important.
I am giving thanks for the opportunities that presented themselves this day to share Jesus with another and to pray for them. We must hold fast in our prayers and believe that God hears them. It is this very task that we are called to be about as we pray for those with whom we share the Gospel and for each of the mission needs that are presented to us. Do not grow weary, for your prayers are making an eternal difference.

During these next weeks, please pray for Living Hope, Stafford VA. They are so close to opening. There are many smaller tasks that must be completed before they can get the use and occupancy permit. They had hoped to have students in a summer program by the first of July. Dedication and opening of the program will take place in October. Please pray for Rev. Gary Rueter and Director Lori Schneider as they continue to move forward with staffing this ministry and seeking enrollment. Pray that families will come forth and enroll their children. Pray for the workers that are needed to run such a program. Pray for the congregation that their work in outreach continues to move forward as they seek ways to be hands and feet of Jesus within the community.

As we focus on the start of the school year, lift up all our Lutheran schools: the workers, the students, and the students who will be coming. Pray that each day as they gather, the Spirit of God fills their hearts and minds with wisdom and understanding. Finally, pray that for each of these students and their families, faith is nurtured and a life-long relationship with Jesus the Savior is formed. We give thanks for the growth of University Christian High School in Conover NC and we look forward to celebrating Open Arms at Living Hope’s first day of school.
Our Prayer Goals for 2010
Let us join our hearts and voices as we pray for:
Those who do not know Jesus Christ and the joy of His salvation for them.
The work of mission outreach teams, missionaries, and outreach efforts that will make a Gospel difference in our communities.
Boldness in each of our lives that we will regularly share the Good News of Jesus with others.
The continued growth in prayer partners for mission. (Our goal is 3000 pray-ers and a prayer team for each new mission.)
For 750,000 recorded faith-sharing events.
For the work and the people of the Convention of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.
Thank you for your mission prayers, they are making an eternal difference.
Praying through August
for the Mission of the LCMS
Reflect on the new future of the Synod, the work of congregations, missions, and schools. And for the success of our new structure.
Philippians 1: 3-6 Describe the “partnership” Paul speaks of to this congregation. How might this inform us as we “walk together” into mission and ministry in the future?
Pray
O Blessed Spirit, on the Day of Pentecost You came to call unto Yourself a pilgrim people. You entered into the hearts of those first believers, filled them with zeal and courage, and sent them into the world to proclaim the promise of the eternal Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Down through the centuries You have blessed Your church as it has reached out to touch the hearts and lives of the people for whom Christ died. We come to You this day to ask Your continued blessing on the church. Where it is in error, correct it. Where it is in danger, protect it. Where it suffers from persecution, preserve it. Where it is weak, strengthen it. Where it is in conflict, give it unity. Where it prospers, grant Your blessing. Bless the work of pastors, teachers, evangelists and all those who go in Your name to bring Your Gospel to the entire world. Open the hearts and minds of those who don’t know You, that they may join with us in proclaiming You as Savior and Lord.
Lord, God, You have called Your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that Your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
New Missions:
Ascension Hmong Mission
Emmanuel, Rockhill SC
Hispanic Mission, MD
Greater Hickory Hmong, NC
Lamb of God, MD
Point of Grace, NC
Hispanic Mission, Northern VA
Mekane-Yesus of MD
Crossway, Norfolk VA
LINC Baltimore
Jordan Mission, NC
Chinese, St Paul, VA
Bridge Hispanic Mission, NC
New Hope Missions, NC
Good Shepherd, VA
Good Shepherd CDC, VA
University Christian High, NC
New Kent Mission, VA
Emerging Missions:
Middletown DE
Hispanic, Baltimore MD
AIM, Bowie MD
LINC Metro DC
Embraced by Christ, Ladysmith VA
South Dulles VA
Christ Our Savior,
Camden SC
Etowah, NC
_____________________________
The Southeastern District (SED) is a regional district of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
Connecting people with Christ, the 205 churches, 91 schools and 43 missions are located in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, North and South Carolina. The SED office is located in Alexandria VA.
Closing Headline
10:02 am Prayers for the Harvest and Workers
Don’t forget to set your cell phones alarm/alert to 10:02 a.m. and pray for the Harvest and Workers. Luke 10:2 Jesus told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Deaconess Sally J. HIller
Director of Congregational Outreach
Southeastern District
6315 Grovedale Drive
Alexandria VA 22310
800-637-5723
703-971-9371