This week the men of West Seattle again gathered in Jesus’ name to pray for the individuals and needs of our church, our communities and our city. As usual we started our time off with the men discussing how God had orchestrated specific conversations with unbelievers. Our desire and prayer is that throughout the week each of us would have opportunities to share with someone who does not know the love of Jesus.

For the past month we have been studying the book of Colossians. This week we took a look at Col :2:1-5 (below):

“For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.”

Pastor Cliff talked about how God us to pursue wisdom and knowledge that is only available through Christ Jesus. He talked about the heart of the Apostle Paul agonized (Struggle) over the spiritual condition of the Body of Believers. We were asked to ponder what it would be like if our prayer life was more focused on spiritual health rather than worldly heath in the lives of our family and community. Pastor Cliff then talked about how true wisdom and knowledge in Christ Jesus leads to joy, love for all believers and protection from those who our out to deceive you.

Personal application questions this week:

• In what areas of your life are you not finding encouragement in Christ Jesus?

• Do you have a deep desire for the truth and the mystery of God?

• Who are you not knit together with in the body?

• What do you agonize about each day? Does your wish list look like Paul?

• How can we pray for those we have never met?

Prayers this week:

• Pray for the upcoming “Clean and Green” event on September 13th. Pray that Seattle would recognize the love of Jesus Christ through this event.

• Pray for a spirit of unity in the Church and that people would respond to the Mission of our church out of an identity in Jesus. Pray that the believers at Mars Hill would take tangible steps to continue to mature in faith and bear fruit (2 Peter 1: 5-9).

• Pray for the pastors that will be preaching the current sermon series on the book of Jonah. Pray that it would bring light to the hardness of our heart.

• Pray that God will bring many unbelievers to our church on Sundays, into our community groups during the week, and to our summer gathering events as they are planned. Pray that each person would hear and respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray against Satan, his tricks, and divisive attempts to hamper the mission of Mars Hill and lead people astray from the truth.

• Pray people would get on mission in the neighborhood, work place, school and community.

• Pray for the launch of the 5pm service.

• 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).