<div> <div>This past Sunday, I began a new 8-week sermon series on prayer, entitled "Lord, Teach Us to Pray." In conjunction with the series, I asked the Shelby Crossings faith family to join me in "devoting yourselves to prayer" (Col. 4:2) beginning last Sunday, July 18 through Sunday, September 5. That's eight Sundays--seven full weeks, plus one day---a total of 50 days. I do hope you and your family will answer this call to prayer.</div> <div> </div> <div>What does that mean? It means, first, that we start where we are. As we saw in last Sunday's message, prayer is something that can be learned. That's why Jesus' disciples specifically asked Him to teach them to pray. They knew it was something He did well, and it was something that was lacking in their own lives. So, if you feel like prayer is not one of your strengths, that's okay. Join us anyway, and allow the Lord to teach you, and grow you, in your prayer life these next six weeks.</div> <div> </div> <div>Second, it means getting serious about prayer, and "devoting yourselves" to seeking God in prayer. That may mean that you set aside extra time by yourself each week to pray. You may want to devote special time in your small group to concerted prayer. You may even want to fast and pray one day a week, or more. I have no intention of prescribing what that means to you. I only hope you'll seriously consider the call to seek the Lord.</div> <div> </div> <div>What, specifically, are we praying for? As a starting point, let me answer that with the words from 2 Chronicles 7:14: "If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." Let's seek Him diligently and see what happens from there.</div> <div> </div> <div>I can't wait to see what God is going to do in the life of His people as we take seriously the call to prayer in the next 44 days. Will you devote yourselves to prayer? I will.</div> <div> </div> <div>I'm praying for YOU, and look forward to seeing you this Sunday.</div> <div> </div> <div>--Pastor Ken</div> </div> <p>]]</p>