By Matt Huey

This week another solid group of West Seattle men gathered to pray for the continuing needs of our church, our communities, and our city. We again began by sharing instances of the specific conversations and other opportunities God had ordained for us in the last week to speak and act out the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ with those he has placed in our paths. Pastor Cliff then led us through a time of devotion on Ephesians 3:7-13 (below).

”Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.”

Reflections on this passage included 1) noting the humility that it took for Paul, a great missionary chosen by God to carry the gospel to a people outside of his own culture, to consider himself least among the saints (see Philippians chapter 2), 2) considering the depth of the mystery of the unsearchable riches of Christ, and 3) that God chose the church to be the agent by which the manifold wisdom of God is revealed. As we then moved into our time of prayer, the men began to pray for the salvation of numerous individuals that God has sovereignly placed in our lives.

Prayers this week:

• Pray that God will continue to providentially bring people to Mars Hill that do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ, that he would remove the blinders from their minds (2 Corinthians 4:4), and that he would open their hearts to the good news of the gospel. Pray that many would become believers in our church, and that they will wholeheartedly seek to remain in Jesus, for apart from him we can do nothing (John 15:4,5).
• Pray for God to reveal to us those he has sovereignly placed in our lives (Acts 17:26,27). Pray that the love of Christ would control us (2 Corinthians 5:14-16) as God grants us opportunity to boldly share and act out the good news of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:15). Pray that we would never be ashamed of the gospel (Rom 1:16).
• Pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to remind us of Sunday’s sermon on “killing sin”, and that all believers at Mars Hill would engage in the battle against sin that wages inside of us.
• Pray for our community group leaders to have strength and perseverance as they continue to shepherd and encourage their groups to be on mission by embracing parts of their communities through prayer and service.
• There are many in our congregation that are hurting financially due to the economy. Pray for great faith and that they would worship God as the great provider (Matt 6:25-34).
• Pray that the hearts of the believers at Mars Hill would be focused on Jesus such that it becomes a joy to faithfully and sacrificially give of their time, talents, and treasure to the mission of Jesus Christ at Mars Hill (2 Corinthians 9:7). Pray for God to provide sufficient funds for our church and wisdom for our leaders as we move into the summer, which is historically the time of year when giving is at its least.
• Pray that God would grant divine wisdom to the parents to raise their children according to the ways of the Lord (Prov 22:6).
• Pray against Satan, his tricks, and divisive attempts to hamper the mission of Mars Hill and lead people astray from the truth.
• Pray that God will give the wisdom of Heaven to the prayer team that prays for people during communion on Sundays.
• Pray that believers in our church would be steadfast in prayer (Col 4:2), and that God would continue to bring more men on Wednesday mornings to pray.