by Matt Huey

This week about 15 men from West Seattle gathered to pray, and it continues to be amazing to see new men come to this prayer meeting each week. This week was no exception. It has also been extremely encouraging for everyone as men are increasingly sharing from their hearts, and pressing into the mission of sharing the love of Jesus Christ with the unbelieving world. Many of the men shared opportunities that God had orchestrated for them to share the gospel in word and deed from this past week. Then, to get our hearts prepared to pray we began by focusing on Colossians 4:2-6 (below):

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

Pastor Cliff then led us in a discussion about what it means to be watchful and thankful in prayer, and challenged us to be constant, patient, and alert as we pray for opportunities to advance the gospel in our city. God hears our prayers, and chooses to use prayer as one of the vehicles by which he changes our perspective on our lives and how interact with the world.

Questions to Consider:

• How faithful are you in prayer when it comes to fulfilling your responsibilities to those you submit to, or those who submit to you?

• How faithful are you to pray for those who do not know the gospel?

• Do you pray with thanksgiving in difficult situations?

• How do non-believers see, or not see, God’s image revealed in your actions and words?

We then gathered in smaller groups to pray for the needs of our church and community.

Prayers this week:

• Pray for Pastor Adam this week as he preaches the word of God to the West Seattle campus.

• Pray that people would take last week’s sermon to heart, confess sin, and forgive those toward which they are bitter.

• Continue to pray for a spirit of humility and unity among the leadership and staff at Mars Hill.

• Pray for the marriages in our church – that there would be intimacy and oneness in Christ. Pray that priorities would be based on an identity in Jesus. Pray that men would lead well and cover the family. Pray that those that are single and hurting would experience the peace of Christ as they continue to be sanctified and wait for God’s perfect timing.

• Continue to pray for the Song of Solomon series. Pray that all believers will seek to pursue their primary identity in Christ, that marriages will be strengthened, and that those yet to be married will pursue relationships that are honoring to Jesus.

• Continued prayer for the Equip classes that people will grow through the process and remain faithful to attend and do the work

• Pray for the Apprentice training of potential community group leaders that competent and committed leaders come out of the class

• Pray against Satan, his tricks, and divisive attempts to hamper the mission of Mars Hill and lead people astray from the truth of the gospel.