July 12, 2015

By the time you read this, I will be off with 30 youth from Eastminster and First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach as we caravan to the Montreat Youth Conference. I trust this will be a life changing experience for us all! Thank you, Eastminster, for the support of the children and youth of our community! Most decisions of faith are made before the age of 17, so this is “prime time” for spiritual growth. Also, 40% of Presbyterian pastors relate that youth camps were formative in experiencing their call to ministry. Please pray for the youth and leaders attending, even as you continue to develop regular patterns of prayer. Speaking of prayer, last week I forwarded a good prayer for times of spiritual attack in Tim’s Tidings and preached on setting aside time, preferably early in the morning, to be still before God. Many of you have a “routine” for doing this, many do not. Here is one that promises to be helpful. You might want to jot down a couple of notes or names by each step to make them your own… and to be ready to see where prayers are answered! (1) In preparation each day find a quiet place where you are unlikely to be interrupted. Read at least a few verses of scripture. The Psalms are excellent for helping us center on God. (2) Close your eyes and give thanks for three personal blessings in your life. (3) Ask God to forgive your mistakes and sins and to give you the strength to forgive others. Name those failings. (4) Ask God to help some person you find it hard to like. (5) Ask for help with your personal problems and needs. Tell God what they are. God knows, but it will help you to verbalize them. (6) Ask God to make you sensitive to at least one person today with whom you can share God's love in word or deed. (7) Ask God for a 24-hour supply of the Holy Spirit so that God’s power and wisdom will fill you. (8) Pray for Christ’s Church in the world and here at Eastminster. (9) Finally, and very importantly, conclude by listening silently for at least three minutes. I am convinced that God still works miracles in our personal lives and through our church. Try this prayer experience. If you need a tenth step to complement the nine above—or to get you started on the steps above—pray for willingness to be available for God and others. Try this exercise in prayer this week. Let me know how it is going next Sunday. May God bless you and guide you until then. See You in Church,