Keeping the Simple Things Central

I wanted to share a couple of prayer resources with you that I have loved recently: First is a book “Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools: An Invitation to the Wonder and Mystery of Prayer.” It is a great little book that recently came across my radar. I read it with a guy’s book club I lead and have our LW Team reading it right now. Next year we will probably go through it as a church and spend a month or so on the “Practice of Prayer.” Early on in ministry, I was formed by books like “Rees Howells Intercessor,” “Fresh Flames, Fresh Fire” by Jim Cymbala, and “The Praying Christian” by an unknown author. As years of ministry have piled up, and through the journey of grief after my brother died, I have felt a deep sense of longing to make sure I am keeping the SIMPLE THINGS CENTRAL, and this book on prayer came at a perfect time and encouraged my heart and prayer life. I hope you love it!

Along with the book, the author created a “Prayer App” called Inner Room that is pretty rad (and simple). It’s a way to build a simple daily prayer list, topics, and reminders in the morning and throughout the day. I wanted to make that resource known to you. I have enjoyed using it.

As for our specific prayer team’s focus, LW’s Financial direction, and breakthrough – Thank you for praying with us. We do feel buoyed by your prayers and are anticipating continued health in our finances as the GIFT of GENEROSITY is stirred in our community, and any OPPOSITIONAL SPIRITUAL STRONGHOLDS are removed through prayer.

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I hate to break it down to numbers because what is taking place and what God is doing in our LW Community will be quantified by many things beyond numbers. However, since our finances are in a prolonged season of decrease, and we are praying for that to shift, I will share updates on that practical indicator with you: As we head through June with a few days remaining, our “Faithful” (monthly, recurring gifts) is only at $21k. We need to continue to pray! However, the GOOD NEWS is that we had a donation of $10k come in early in June! So overall, we are at ~$31k for the month! (Remember, our giving goal (the faithful category) is $36k a month to cover the budget).

This Sunday, as part of our Community Life Sunday gathering (10:00 am in 360 Room), we will be taking time to worship, take communion, and express generosity as a part of worship. I’m not sure how we’ll build that into our corporate expression, but with your prayers and Holy Spirit’s leading, we’ll land on something that is an extension of our worship and doesn’t feel confusing or coercive to people!

Please feel free to respond to the Church Text or on this page with any verses, encouragement, or prophetic words that the Lord has given to your hearts as you’ve been praying with us! Thank you again for taking time daily to intercede! We appreciate you so much!!

Ryan & Kate