Dear First Pres,
Please consider this a call to prayer. Last year on Christmas Eve we had over 1000 people here for worship. That's more than twice as many people as a usual Sunday morning. I know some of them are your Christ loving family members, but some of them are your friends, family members, coworkers, and neighbors who don't yet believe that Jesus really is God the Son in the flesh come to be the Savior of the world. I'm so glad they are coming. Wouldn't it be wonderful if God used our Christmas Eve services to draw them into faith in Christ Jesus? YES!!
But, as you know, God is the One who draws them. It's not a clever sermon, or a perfect solo, or a funny kids message; it's the Holy Spirit who stirs the heart for faith. God is the builder, we are the workers. We are absolutely dependant on Him to make anything we do worthwhile for the Kingdom. So, I invite you to pray that God will indeed move in powerful ways. With thanksgiving - thanksgiving for His goodness, His love, His faithfulness, His work to draw you to faith - present your requests before God.
Specifically, I invite you to pray for these things:
That God will give us courage to follow His lead in inviting others to our Christmas Eve services
That God will fill us afresh with His Spirit as we are hosting in the parking lot, in the entryway, in the pews, or in front (that's all of us) - so that we will exude the love of Christ for the world
That God will draw those we have invited and others we don't yet know to come to our Christmas Eve services - especially that He draw people who live within walking distance of our Sanctuary as we need God to help us build relationships with all our new neighbors
That God will work through every part of our services to open hearts and minds to the Gospel, and draw people to faith in Jesus
That His name be glorified, His Kingdom come, and His will be done in our Christmas Eve services as it is in Heaven
Will you join me in these prayers?
If you're better praying with other people, please join me from 6:30 - 7:15 am tomorrow in the Commons. We'll be praying together for these things and more.
Blessings,
Jeremy
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