Dan Adams

Last Sunday's Baptism

Last Sunday we baptized 8 folks at RiverTown. Baptism is a beautiful celebration of an incredibly important reality.  On one level, it symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  On another level, it symbolizes the new life a believer has through faith in Jesus Christ.  Baptism a great reminder of the difference Christ has made and can make in our lives. 

National Day of Prayer

Today is the 58^th annual observance of the National Day of Prayer.  As a church, we are called to pray for our church, community and world.  As a citizens of our country, we are called to pray for our nation. As we all know, prayer is incredibly important . . . so much so that is utterly essential. Let’s allow this National Day of Prayer to remind us of the importance of prayer in our own lives and in our church. Here are some thoughts about prayer.

Pray!

 “1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” - 1 Timothy 2:3-4 niv

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7 niv

“Pray continually” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17 niv

How to Pray

The Lord’s Prayer | Matthew 6:9-15

9 "This, then, is how you should pray: 
" 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 
11 Give us today our daily bread. 
 12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 
 13 And lead us not into temptation, 
but deliver us from the evil one.' 14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Prayer for Our Nation | Beth Moore, Honorary Chairman for the National Day of Prayer

Father in Heaven,

We lift our eyes toward Your Throne, where You reign in righteousness. Your Word assures us that when Your people cry out in sincerity and humility, You will never turn a deaf ear to us. We call upon You now, seeking Your forgiveness and favor. Look over this fevered landscape and heal us, Lord. Drop knees to the floor and raise eyes to the sky, for we know where our help comes from. Unite these States again in devotion to You, and blur every dividing line. Do not give us over to our sins. Give us, instead, over to passionate prayer that moves Your heart. “May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You.” In the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Prayer for Our Nation | Catholic Doors

Almighty God, bless our nation and make it true to the ideas of freedom and justice and brotherhood for all who make it great. Guard us from war . . . from compromise, fear, confusion. Be close to our president and our statesmen; give them vision and courage, as they ponder decisions affecting peace and the future of the world. Make me more deeply aware of my heritage; realizing not only my rights but also my duties and responsibilities as a citizen. Make this great land and all its people know clearly Your will, that they may fulfill the destiny ordained for us in the salvation of the nations, and the restoring of all things in Christ, Amen.

Prayer Thoughts

Some people pray just to pray and some people pray to know God. - Andrew Murray

There is a mighty lot of difference between saying prayers and praying. - John G. Lake

I have so much to do that I spend several hours in prayer before I am able to do it. - John Wesley

I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had absolutely no other place to go. - Abraham Lincoln

Always respond to every impulse to pray. I would make an absolute law of this – always obey such an impulse. - Martyn Lloyd-Jones

One can believe intellectually in the efficacy of prayer and never do any praying.  -Catherine Marshall

Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire? - Corrie Ten Boom

Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan -- John Bunyan

Of all the duties enjoined by Christianity none is more essential and yet more neglected than prayer. - François Fénelon

Pray, and let God worry. - Martin Luther

This is our Lord's will... that our prayer and our trust be, alike, large. - Julian of Norwich

God's answers are wiser than our prayers. - Unknown

The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men…Men of prayer.God shapes the world by prayer.  The more praying there is in the world the better the world will be, the mightier the forces against evil.... - E. M. Bounds

Prayer does not fit us for the greater work, prayer is the greater work. - Oswald Chambers


  - E. M. Bounds

It is possible to move men, through God, by prayer alone.
 - Hudson Taylor
 

There has never been a spiritual awakening in any country or locality that did not begin in united prayer.
 - D.A.T. Pierson


Worship and intercession must go together, the one is impossible without the other.  Intercession means that we rouse ourselves up to get the mind of Christ about the one for whom we pray.
 - Oswald Chambers
 

The great people of the earth today are the people who pray, (not) those who talk about prayer...but I mean those who take time and pray.
 - S. D. Gordon


Work, work, from morning until late at night.  In fact, I have so much to do that I shall have to spend the first three hours in prayer. - Martin Luther


To get nations back on their feet, we must first get down on our knees.
 - Billy Graham

Prayer is the exercise of drawing on the grace of God.
 - Oswald Chambers


Suffering

There are plenty of crazy Bible teachers out there that teach that suffering is not part of God's plan and that you won't suffer if you have enough faith. This is clearly not biblical. 2 Timothy 3:12 says "all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer". Suffering at times is clearly a part of God's plan for His children. None of us like this, but God knows that in the long run suffering is good for us. Click here and here to read some encouraging words from John Piper about the value and importance of suffering for those whom God loves.