“13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.” Acts 16:13
Ahoy Church,
We continue this week looking at prayer. I’m not sure why, but a week or two ago I decided to share about Acts 16:13. This verse is special to me because it’s the scripture God encouraged me when Martine and I first joined the White’s + Lalut-Salvatore’s on the beach at Moffat. I felt like God encourage us that this is the place where local Jesus-followers should be meeting to pray and fellowship together.
Last weekend it again came to mind as we sat with two other families in at Lions and Norrie Job Park at Coolum Beach as they had their first Beach Church gathering.
There are three things I’d love to highlight from this account of early Christians following Jesus together:
#1 Christians Prayed Together
Many Christians find it hard to pray on their own. This could be a lifelong battle, or a battle in a spiritually dry or difficult season. However, if you read through Acts, most of the instances of people praying is communal, not individual. While Jesus prayed on his own, he also prayed with others. If you and I are struggling to pray, we should find comfort and growth in praying with others.
Potentially the place where Paul and Timothy gathered with local women to pray.
#2 There are Natural Times + Places for Prayer
Praying outside the gate by the riverside (where there was no synagogue, like in Philippi, Jews gathered near water to ritually cleanse their hands first) sounds like a visible, accessible, beautiful place to pray in public. Praying in the morning is an obvious time, just like Jesus modelled, for many to pray. Times and culture adjust and so should our place and times of prayer. [Men, see below]. If we’re going to pray together, let’s make it in the most obvious place possible. It’s hard to be sure if this was in a building Jews regularly gathered in, or, as it sounds to me, outside. Wherever it was, Lydia, a devout Jew heard Paul and the others sharing about Jesus and came to faith! Speaking of Lydia…
#3 Women Have Historically Been Great Prayers
There are countless followers of Jesus who attribute their “conversion” to the prayers of a mother, aunty or grandmother. This seems to be have been the same in Paul and Timothy’s era! As they sought to pray with local Christians or Jews (they often visited synagogues to share about Jesus) they discovered a group of faithful women. We can’t be sure where the men were, but the women were faithfully praying!
Historically, praying women have not only impacted the faith of their families, but that of their churches, communities and nations. While many famous preachers and missionaries found their power in private prayer, revival history is often linked back to the prayers of either young people or handfuls of aging women fervently coming to God on a daily, weekly basis to do the spiritual work many others are too preoccupied to do.
Furthermore, if you join in a prayer meeting, you’ll often notice the prayers of women are quite different than men. In fact, despite the stereotypes some hold, it’s the women who are often keen to pray, prophecy or share at our church, or in other smaller environments when people are asked to share
While this doesn’t preclude men from doing the same, we want to acknowledge that God may have designed a predisposition for prayer and spiritual intimacy into the women made in his image.
Women, this should not only encourage you that God values and hears your prayers, but that it may be God has uniquely designed and positioned you to impact the faith of the church, leaders, colleagues, neighbours nephews and newborns around you.
Make Time
This week, is there a time this week that’s the most natural time for you to pray in a new way? If praying is new, or long-lost, habit, then simply pray the Lords’ Prayer (see link below).
Find your People
Is there a fellow Christian that you can INVITE to join you in prayer this week? It can be built around a coffee/activity and simply be a moment you stop to share the challenges and celebrations in your life followed by simple prayer.
Embrace your Gender as a Gift
If you have a particular “knack” for prayer, thank God! Take it seriously. Grow your gift. Teach other men and women how to grow their prayer life too.
If you are a woman, consider God’s unique design for intimacy that many of you may have. Take time to consider that the capacity many women have to nourish young ones physically may extend to a unique capacity to nourish young ones (biological, social and spiritual ‘relatives’) spiritually.
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For any men who are keen to pray, I’m starting a simple, short, small group of dads to connect, share what we’re reading in the Bible and pray for each other. We’ll meet mid/late morning midweek to suit those who work early/late/split shifts.
For any women keen to pray midweek, hit REPLY now and let me know. You're not the only woman considering a regular gathering 😀
Cheers, God Bless, and see you Sunday!
Jesus: Beware of False Prophets
In a world that teaches us to, “follow your heart”, “trust yourself” and “you do you”, it’s no surprise that we often shape religion, or God himself, into what fits our human sensibilities. This Sunday we’ll engage with Jesus’ warning to beware of man-made, but not God-revealed religion. Join us to ensure we keep each other hyper-focused on Jesus, not building our own, or someone else’s, earthly empire.
“5 When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. 6 Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”...11 How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” - Matthew 16:5-12
Origin Fundraiser for Baringa Chaplaincy
On June 17th, the day before the 2nd State of Origin match, Sarah Littleton is leading a fundraiser for the Baringa Chaplaincy Program.
While the school community will be ordering Maroon or Blue cupcakes through the school, local churches and church members are invited to “sponsor a dozen” cupcakes for $20.
The hope is that between three local churches we can sponsor 50 x Dozen cupcakes to sell on the day with all proceeds going directly to chaplaincy.
It’s been a privilege to meet with Sarah Littleton, the new chaplain. She attends LifePoint, another local Baptist church and is passionate about making a difference in the Baringa State School.
Donations can be made directly to Baringa's SU Account
Account Name: SU Australia Ministries
BSB: 084 004
Account Number: 83 369 4350
Reference number: 186636
Or, use this QR Code
For more info or to volunteer, contact Sarah directly.
1300 478 753
sarah.littleton@suchaplaincy.org.au
PRAYER for Cambodia Mission Trip
Andrew and Anne Grant will soon be leading a QCCC Mission Trip to TCK Summar Camp in Cambodia provided for children of missionary families. Below are some key prayer points from Andrew and his dedicated team:
- Please pray for final preparations for the Intern/Gappie trip to Cambodia, and for every teenager coming to the sold-out TCK Camp.
- The hearts and minds particularly of our second-year interns as they prepare themselves for an exciting trip to Cambodia.
- Safety and good health for all those travelling to Cambodia and that the team will form positive and lasting relationships.
Coming Up
June - NEW Sunday time, from 3pm
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Sun 15 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
Sun 22 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
Wed 25 - 545pm Deacons
Sun 29 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
Our Mission
To help people find and follow Jesus.
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Get to Know Jesus: how are you getting to know Jesus this week?
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We are slowly being led to needs for our giving kitty! Please take time to ask God if there is someone in need around you whom God wants you/us to help!
Last month's giving: $8,490
Last month's expenses: $10,536
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Giving out : Oct 23-May 25: $13,874
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." - Proverbs 19:17
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