Monday, September 17, 2012

Praying

Sometimes it is difficult to see the small wins. We see the overwhelming big picture and forget God's provision in the here and now that gets us one step closer to realizing the big picture.

It's like a jigsaw puzzle.

What is the most important piece of a jigsaw puzzle?

Some would say its the first piece that gets you started. Some would say the corner(s) because it helps frame what you are doing. Others would say the last piece because it brings completion.

But the most important piece of a puzzle is the box top with the picture of the puzzle you are working! Without it, you have no idea where you're going or what you're trying to do.

If you have spent time with God and He has painted the big picture for who you are to be and what you are to do, then all that is left is to be faithful piece by piece. Day by Day. We won't launch City Campus Church today, or this week, or this month. But we know that is where we are called and so this week is about being faithful to that big picture, bit by bit by bit.

So I've organized prayer this week into 7 things for 7 days.

Monday- Pray for Lesson Planning and Sermon Prepping today. Pray that God would take me to deep places with Him so that I can lead our discipleship huddle (on Thursday), our C3 Missional Community (on Sunday) and worship at partnering churches (in coming weeks).

Tuesday- Pray for Relational Momentum. Dinner with new friends Monday and Tuesday and lunch Thursday. These are continued opportunities to cast vision and see who God is calling to catch hold of that vision.

Wednesday- Pray for our Missional Communities. We are beginning the shaping of Missional Community # 2 which will be a pocket of folks in the Westerville area. Pray that we would boldly serve our community and invite people to C3 both in the Olentangy Commons context where Shaina and I live and in our new Westerville community that will be launching this fall. Pray for our C3 softball team that will be inviting our opponents out after our double header.

Thursday- Pray for our bigger story of Church Planting...locations of C3 in the 10 largest campus contexts in the country and a planting partnership in South America all to continue to take shape.

Friday- Pray for the Thompson Family. For Chaia's continued sustaining and total healing. For Shaina and I...for our marriage to not only be protected but thrive...for times to simply laugh and enjoy each other.

Saturday- Pray for clarity. We have decisions to make about where to gather for our C3 launch in 2013. Pray that God would direct our steps with wisdom and discernment to know what is the right fit for who we are as C3.

Sunday- Pray for buy in. We are moving towards Covenant Sunday, where we ask people to declare whether they are IN with C3 or not. Pray that the right people hear God on this. Pray that the wrong people hear God on this. Pray also for C3's financial support! We are looking for 10 partners who would come on board at $100 a month for 3 years to help us get to the place of self sustenance.

Today we are called to be faithful in the small things. To see the little wins. Because it is in these small places where the Glory of God begins to break through in big ways!

3 comments:

Grandma Cindy said...

As an avid puzzle-worker, I could totally identify with your puzzle analogy. This was a very good word/challenge today. Appreciate so much connecting to the blog on Mondays and knowing HOW to pray for you... it is an awesome honor and holy responsibility to be in daily communication with Father God concerning your needs. Praising Him today!!

Anonymous said...

Praying for you everyday, for the 614 and all the people to the edge of the world. Thanks for putting specific prayer requests up. We miss you. Hugs to Miss Chaia for us and then you two hug each other from us. Sending our love from Canton, MI.

Mama Karen said...

Always praying!!! Keep your eyes toward the goal. Every step is one step closer! Believing for all you have need of this week. Then we will believe again next week. And again, and again. Step by step, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little...Sending you hugs and lots of love from your friends just south of the 614 :)