August Daily Prayer #14: Youth

O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. (Psalm 71:17-18)

Faith is often formed in our younger years, while children, or as youth. The Psalmist looks back on his youth, and how he learned about God. The long-term view is that those who learn about God in their youth will follow him even to old age, proclaiming the deeds of the Lord to another generation.

Think of all the youth who have grown up before our eyes at Lake Baldwin Church! What a joy it is, to come alongside the families in our church, and to provide an environment where students can grow in Christ, make friends, and be mentored by the generation ahead of them! Today, let's pray for our youth.

• Thank God for Fritz and Barbie Schalmo, as Fritz gives leadership to our youth ministry. Pray for the safe and healthy delivery of their baby next month.
• Thank God for Scott and Lindsay Buono, who invest in the lives of our youth each Sunday night, and who reach out to our youth throughout he week. Pray for them as they serve.
• Thank God for Rachel Glodo and Christina Nesbitt, who have served as volunteers. Pray for Rachel as she moves on to graduate school in Chicago, and for Christina as she prepares for marriage.
• Pray for all the youth who have graduated from our LBC youth group. Pray that they would flourish in college.
• Pray for younger youth who are making the transition from SPLASH, that they would feel connected and be able to take advantage of new growth opportunities.
• Our youth are scattered among high schools around the city. Pray for them as they start school this fall. Pray for strong faith, lived out in the real world.
• God has used our students to reach out to friends, some of whom attend our youth group. Pray for the continued outreach of the youth at LBC, among their friends. Pray that parents and families will be touched by the gospel as a result.
• Pray specifically for the spiritual opportunities at Glenridge Middle School.
• Adult volunteers can have a powerful impact on teenagers. Pray that God will raise up more adult volunteers to work with our youth.
• Pray in advance for the weekly work of youth group, small groups, and personal contact with teenagers this fall. Pray especially for Fritz as he meets students on their turf, seeking to encourage them and minister to them.
• Finally, pray for each of the youth and families, that their hearts will always be stirred by a love for Jesus and the desire to follow him.

August Daily Prayer #13: Volunteers

For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. (Hebrews 6:10)

The heart to serve is a well-established part of Christianity, patterned after Jesus Christ himself, who took the servant's towel and washed the feet of his disciples. Serving does involve a kind of sacrifice, and we can be grateful for the love that inspires service. And God knows that our deeds of service, though not always noticed, are never forgotten by him.

At Lake Baldwin Church, we know that "some things must be so that other things can be." So we thank God for the many volunteers who make possible the display of the gospel of Christ through the work of the church.

• Pray for Ernie Traynham, and for the teams involved in set-up/tear-down of the worship area.
• Pray for Anna Sellers and Kelley Jain, new leaders of the Café team. Pray for the many volunteers who are part of that team. Thank God for the work of David and Janell Ray over the years.
• Pray for Scott Crocker, and the volunteers who work on his team to set up the SPLASH area.
• Pray for Drew Hallberg, and the many greeters who serve on the greeting team.
• Pray for Mollie Turbeville, and for those who work with her to set up Guest Services and stage.
• Pray for John Hill and Christian Gomez, who have been learning our new sound system.
• Pray for the musicians and vocalists who work to lead our music; pray for Tim and Angela Inman as they help coordinate that team.
• Pray for Michelle Crouse, and for the many SPLASH volunteers who serve in the nursery, check-in, teaching, and class helpers. Pray for the team that works monthly with our children's worship, High Tide.
• Pray for Fritz Schalmo, and for the adult volunteers who serve our youth. Pray for Scott and Lindsay Buono, and the others who help.
• Pray that God would grow the number of available volunteers, to fill gaps and to offer relief for those who have served for a lengthy period of time.
• Thank God for his provision of new volunteers over the past year, as new members have locked arms with us.

August Daily Prayer #12: Bridges

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.  (1 Timothy 2:1-7)

What a glimpse into the heart of God! He desires people to be saved, and he provided one mediator, Christ Jesus, to be our ransom. In light of this, we are called to make prayer a first priority. This also affected Paul's participation in the mission. The church carries on that work today of preaching and teaching.

Since Christ Jesus is the mediator, he is the only "bridge" between lost people and God. As a church, our part is to pray and to relate well to the surrounding culture. By some estimates, Orlando is 80% non-churched. So let's pray for them, and for our work of building "common ground" bridges with the culture:

• Pray that our worship services would be an open door for all, believers and non-believers alike. Pray that people will come to faith through our worship.
• Relationships: this is one of our best connections with the culture. Jesus himself was known as a "friend of sinners." Pray that God will give all of us common ground relationships with people who need Jesus.
• Christmas: pray that the light of the gospel would go out from all the churches I Orlando at Christmas season.
• Events: Pray for our partnerships with event planners in Baldwin Park, and for our participation in events throughout the year.
• Digital Media: Pray that God would give us bridges to people through the common space of digital media.
• Real life issues: Pray that God would give us ways to relate the gospel to real life issues in the lives of people.
• Pray for all those in authority, that we would continue to have freedom to preach the gospel. Pray that God would "open doors" for the gospel.
• Praise God for Christ the Mediator, who met us in our need through his incarnation, death, and resurrection.

August Daily Prayer #11: Oaks of Righteousness

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant those who mourn in Zion--to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing. (Jesus, in Luke 4:21)

The words of the prophet paint a beautiful picture of gospel renewal. This renewal would be "good news" and would proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and grace. Those who mourn would be comforted, the captives would be set free, and those changed by this gospel would become "oaks of righteousness." In Luke, Jesus announces that he is the fulfillment of Isaiah's vision of gospel renewal!

Today, let's pray that gospel renewal in our church and city would result in the growth of "oaks of righteousness."
Pray that those who are captive to the tyranny of sin would be set free.
Pray for those who mourn, that they would receive comfort and the oil of gladness.
There is such a range of spiritual maturity at LBC. Pray for seekers to come to faith; for young believers to grow to maturity; and for long-term followers of Christ to press on to maturity and growth.
Pray that God will use our growing network of small groups to foster gospel community and gospel growth.
Pray that God will use the upcoming spiritual growth classes to nurture "oaks of righteousness."
Pray for growing gospel transformation in all of our lives: the renewal of our minds; the inflaming of our hearts; the empowering of our hands.
Pray that our love for the lost, our love for the needy, and our love for the world would flow from genuine heart renewal in worship and community.

August Daily Prayer #10: Rest and Beauty

So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. (Genesis 2:3)

One thing I have asked of the Lord that I will seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. (Psalm 27:4)

We are 1/3 of the way through a month of daily prayer for the work of the church. If you have tried to spend good time in prayer each day, you know that sometimes prayer is work. In our culture, it's quite an effort to be still, to be silent, to be expectant. And then, actually spending time in prevailing prayer, for the in-breaking of the kingdom, is diligent work. It's easier to do activity than to stop to pray.

"Prayer is not preparation for the work. It is the work." But today, Sunday, we rest from our rigorous schedule of praying daily for the work of the church. Instead, we join the God-given, gracious rhythm of resting and rejoicing. David, the warrior-king, cherished time of gazing upon the beauty of the Lord. Today is for rest. Today is for worship. Tomorrow, we get on our knees again to engage the work of prevailing prayer.

As you read this, it might be before church, after church, or Sunday evening. Wherever you are, take some moments to gaze upon his beauty. Tell God that you love him. Praise him for the rest that is the gift of the gospel.

How do we gaze upon the beauty of the Lord? In our hearts, we see with the light of faith a God of splendor and beauty. In the Word of God, we meet a God who reveals himself to his people. In the gift of music, our hearts are tuned and our lips are given words to praise his beauty. If this does not come easy, don't be discouraged. Just start with where you are, and ask God to draw you near to him in the coming days, weeks, and months.

 "...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe." (Ephesians 1:17-19)

August Daily Prayer #9: SPLASH

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouths of babes and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. (Psalm 8:1-2)

Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 19:14)

There is such a wide-eyed wonder that children have toward God. Perhaps that is why the kingdom of heaven belongs "to such" as these. Children have a place in the heart of God, and they had an open-armed welcome from Jesus. The disciples blundered in the Matthew story. They rebuked the people who were bringing the children to Jesus. Perhaps they wanted to keep things orderly. But Jesus welcomed the delightful disruption that comes with children.

And so, children have a special place in the church. We signal this with baptism, and we practice this in our vow that we will "assist the parents in the Christian nurture" of their children. Today, let's unite to pray for our SPLASH ministry:
Thank God for his blessings on our church through SPLASH: volunteer participation, Kids Camp, and the weekly experience of stories, care, friendships, and the teaching of the gospel.
Pray for the hearts of all the children, some of whom find in SPLASH their primary way of learning about Jesus; and for others, who are having reinforced what they are learning at home.
Pray that God will continue to raise up volunteers and teachers, all with joyful hearts, as the number of children continues to grow. Ask God to bless us with church-wide vision and ownership of the SPLASH effort.
Pray for Michelle Crouse and her family, as she continues to lead our SPLASH effort. Pray for a growing base of leaders around her, especially to help shoulder the work on Sundays.
Pray High Tide, the monthly worship experience for children. Pray for the High Tide team who work to tell the stories of the Bible in an engaging way.
Ask God to encourage each teacher, volunteer, and nursery worker.
Finally, pray for the many children and families around us who are not yet churchgoers, that their lives will be touched and changed by the gospel, through what God is doing in SPLASH.

August Daily Prayer #8: Generations

One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. (Psalm 145:4)

The Bible has a beautiful balance. The older generation is valued for its wisdom and life experience. The younger generation is valued as those to whom the torch will be passed. Think of Proverbs, the words of a father to a son. Think of our current study of 2 Timothy, the words of Paul to young Timothy. The common theme is a majestic, covenant-keeping God, who loves his people and acts on their behalf.

This vision was expressed in the early days of Lake Baldwin Church, when one of our younger generation folks spoke of creating "avenues for inter-generational connecting." Our hope is that people in every stage of life, single and married, older and younger, will see themselves in the picture!

As for prayer, the Lord Jesus set the example in praying for future generations, in John 17:20--"I do not ask for these (the disciples) only, but also for those (including you and me) who will believe in me through their word."

• Pray for those who are "single again" due to a painful divorce or the loss of a spouse. Pray that they would experience their immense value to our church body.
• Pray for high school graduates, discovering God's purpose for their lives.
• Pray for the treasured folks among us who are over 60, that we would gain from their wisdom.
• Pray for singles in their 20s who will check out LBC this fall. At first, they will see LBC as a "family church" and wonder if they belong, or if they will have the social life they seek. Pray for a growing group that will create new space for young singles. Bonus: pray a bold prayer for college ministry partnerships.
• Pray for parents in their 30s, 40s, and 50s who are in the throes of parenting and professional challenges.
• Thank God for the small groups where young adults are finding community. Pray that these groups will flourish and grow.
• Of course, remember our SPLASH kids and youth. We'll pray for them again this month.

LBC Weekly: 8/10/14

Here’s a picture from our recent membership class. It’s always a highlight to get to know some of the new people that God has brought our way. When you get the opportunity, please say hi to Brad and Kathy Bright, Clayton and Traci Keene, James and Sarah McDonald, Ellane Park, and Jim and Teri Pickering.  Also...please read on for important dates, how to sign up for the daily prayer devotional, and the next weekly prayer gathering Monday evening.

Sign Up to Pray Daily in August!

* The elders have issued a “call to prayer” for the month of August.
* So far, 56 people have signed up to pray daily for the work of the church in light of spiritual opportunities this fall.
* It’s not too late to sign up! Just send an e-mail to Mike.Tilley@lakebaldwinchurch.com (mailto:Mike.Tilley@lakebaldwinchurch.com) . You’ll be included in the daily devotional and prayer requests.
* Check out a 2-minute video giving the heart and history behind the August Call to Prayer. Click here (http://vimeo.com/72191000) .

Worship This Sunday at 10:45

* Jim Cunningham will continue our series on “Keeping the Faith,” with a message from 2 Timothy 4:9-18. In this personal passage, we learn a lot about friendship, and the part that friends play in helping us keep the faith.
* Jim and his wife, Joyce, have been a part of LBC from the beginning. As an attorney, Jim sought theological training on the side, and gives his time to teaching and helping make disciples.
* Please take some moments to pray for Jim, for our worship team, for SPLASH, and for youth group on Sunday evening.

Dates for Your Calendar

* This Monday at 7 pm: Bart and Judy Johnson, along with Danny and Kim Anderson, will be hosting an hour of prayer at the LBC office, 1300 Lake Baldwin Lane, Orlando 32814. These open prayer gatherings are being held weekly during our August Call to Prayer.
* Don Sweeting, president of Reformed Theological Seminary, will be preaching at LBC on August 17. Dr. Sweeting is the author of the book, How to Finish the Christian Life.
* Our new series on the book of Exodus begins on August 23.
* Small Group leaders will be meeting on September 13 from 9-noon.
* Hospitality Event September 26: Elders and Wives will be hosting home gatherings for their shepherding groups. Plan on a fun evening of food and connecting with others.

Please remember to pray:

* For Robert and Gretchen Gutman: Gretchen’s mother passed away last week, so pray for comfort for Gretchen who is grieving her loss. Also, pray for the family, as they are in the midst of a stressful move, and even had some things robbed from them yesterday.
* Continue to pray for Vicki Glodo, as she recovers from surgery earlier in the summer. Pray that she will be healed and strong enough to begin her teach in job this month.

In His Grace,
Mike

August Daily Prayer #7: Community

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:12-14)

The call to love one another seems to permeate the letters of the New Testament, and this call reminds us of the words of Jesus: "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35) The beauty of the church is that it gathers so many different types of people. In Colossians, people came from all kinds of religious and socio-economic backgrounds. The cross levels all that, and offers the chance to start afresh, in gospel community. The more we see ourselves as beloved by God in Christ, and forgiven, the more we have the incentive and power to offer that love to others in the new community.

• Pray that the "hosting environment" at LBC will continue strong, so that newcomers will always feel a genuine welcome.
• Pray for children as they come into SPLASH, and for youth as they check out our youth group. Pray that they will form joyful friendships.
• We've seen that small groups offer, for many people, a place to be known and loved. Pray that this will continue and increase.
• Praise God for the way that our congregation tends to rally when someone is hurting or in crisis. We don't yet know of new challenges some might face in the months ahead. Pray that those who hurt will find care.
• Inevitably, and often unintended, hurts and friction and misunderstanding can arise in relationships. Pray that forgiveness, love, and grace will be the norm.
• Today, are you finding it difficult to forgive someone, to let go of the hurt? Pray for grace to forgive, in light of how we have been forgiven by God.

August Daily Prayer #6: Worship

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:4-5)

Someone once said that in the Old Testament, God had a temple for his people. In the New Testament God has a people for his temple. In Ephesians 2:21 we learn that we are growing into a holy temple in the Lord. As we gather for worship, even in a school auditorium, we are a dwelling place for God by the Spirit (Ephesians 2:22). And there is gospel in the 1 Peter passage above! Our worship is "acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." God is holy and majestic, and yet, with all our flaws and humanness, we are beloved of God as we offer our worship.

On Sundays, as we drive to church for worship, we often recall this wonderful truth, that God fills the temple of his people as we gather for worship. Today, let's pray together for our worship gatherings throughout the fall:

• Pray for the gracious work of the Holy Spirit in worship each Sunday, revealing the beauty of Christ, working in our hearts, and empowering the music and the preaching.
• Pray for the transition to a new worship leader, and for God's provision for the filling of that role. Thank God for Tim and Angela Inman, serving on an interim basis, along with a great supporting cast of musicians and vocalists.
• Pray for additional musicians to add fullness and variety from time to time. God has always been faithful to raise up volunteers from our midst.
• We have a new sermon series on the Book of Exodus beginning Aug 24. Pray for preparation going on now, and that the epic stories of Exodus will come alive to our hearts. Pray that the story of Moses will point us to the "greater Moses," Jesus Christ.
• Of course, worship is so much more than what happens from the front! Pray for our whole congregation, as we add our voices and hearts and love in worship each Sunday.

August Daily Prayer #5: City

Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. (Jeremiah 29:5-7)

This passage is part of a letter written by Jeremiah to God's people who were in exile in Babylon. The people were hearing many voices about how to handle their exile. Some said the exile would end soon, in two years. There was the temptation to be isolated from the city. And there was the temptation to compromise and to become like the city. But Jeremiah urged a better way. Establish a presence in the city, building houses and raising families. Pray for the peace of the city, and seek its welfare.

We, too, are exiles, according to 1 Peter 2:11-12. "Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh which wage war against your soul. Keep you conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."

Today, let's pray for the neighborhoods and work environments where God has placed us. Let's pray for the peace and welfare of the city.

• Pray for those doing "good deeds" in the name of Christ: Elevate Orlando, 306 Foundation, Grace Clinic, Jobs Partnership, Women's Dress for Success, Second Harvest, and others.
• Pray for all of the churches in the city who are preaching the gospel. Pray that churches will flourish and be a blessing to the city. Pray for new church plants, such as Christ United Fellowship, where Mike and Lucy Aitcheson are planting.
• Pray for the people in your neighborhood, your part of the city. Pray for the Spirit to work in hearts, and for common ground relationships with our neighbors.
• Pray for the teachers, students, and families at Glenridge Middle School, where we worship. Pray for those kids who are from homeless families.
• Pray for the people of Lake Baldwin Church who are working in jobs all across our city. Pray that their quality of work and love for people will be "salt and light" in the city.
• As we live among the people of our city, pray that God will give us the heart of Jesus, who looked on the multitudes and felt compassion for them.
•  

August Daily Prayer #4: Focus on Christ

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)

It's Monday, and we begin a fresh week in our prayer journey! One of the benefits of extended
time in prayer is that we get to focus our minds and affections on Christ. But there are many distractions! Christians can be accused of being "too heavenly minded and no earthly good." This passage tells us something better. We must be heavenly minded before we can be any earthly good! So press on, even if distracted. Even if the richness of our life with Christ seems hidden for now. We walk and pray by faith now, with the hope that one day he will appear, and we will appear with him. For these moments, let's ask God to renew our hearts for the days of prayer ahead.

• What are the "things on earth" that might be distracting you? If anxieties, cast them on God, for he cares. If sins, acknowledge them to God and turn to Christ for his perfect forgiveness.
• Pray that this month of prayer, even the next few days, will be a time of growing intimacy with Christ. Invite the Spirit to work in your heart, to open your eyes to the things of Christ revealed in Scripture.
• Pray for gospel renewal and spiritual revival in our church, and in our city. Be willing to pray, "Lord, begin with me."
• Someone has defined revival as "a new beginning of obedience to God." Christ is seated at the right hand of God, ruling even now in his church and in our hearts. Invite him to be your King today.
• Pray now for the 50+ people at LBC who are joining you in prayer. Pray for their intimacy with Christ and renewal in him.

August Daily Prayer #3: Deacons

For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:13)

Jesus Christ himself set the pattern for serving when he said in Mark 10:45, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." Though all of us are called to serve one another, our deacons hold a serving office, mobilizing the congregation for deeds of mercy and service. In writing to Timothy, the Apostle Paul must have been mindful of the rigors of serving, over time. One deacon recently told me of a recent time of going through some difficult challenges. Yet he sensed the Lord's call this summer to offer help and ministry on behalf of others. Such a deacon gains "good standing" and "confidence in the faith."

• Thank God for our deacons, elected and called by our congregation: Ernie Traynham, Scott Crocker, Phil Steele, Ravi Jain, Adam Mikkelson, Michael Ballenger, and Drew Hallberg.
• Thank God as well for our deaconesses, who serve alongside our deacons: Candice Holtz and Lynn Steele.
• Choose a name of a deacon you know; pray for their marriage and family; for God's blessing on them professionally; and for their walk with Christ.
• Pray for God's grace on our deacons as they extend care and practical help to folks in our church family who are struggling financially or with their health.
• Pray for the leadership they will bring this fall to our facilities, the serving teams they lead, church finances, use of the deacons fund, global missions, and mercy work in the community.
• Finally, pray for future deacons who will be going through the LBC officers' training and leadership development this fall. 

August Daily Prayer #2: The Nations

Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, the ends of the earth your possession. (Psalm 2:8)

This verse is a promise that God the Father is making to God the Son. The reign of Christ will extend to the nations. After his resurrection, Jesus said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (Matthew 28:18). 

"There is not one square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!" (Abraham Kuyper, Dutch theologian and Prime Minister from 1901-1905)

Let's pray for the extension of Christ's reign in the world, and for the part that Lake Baldwin Church plays in the larger story of God's work among the nations.

• Pray about the crises in the world that reveal the gripping need for the gospel: the war between Israel and Hamas; the struggle in Ukraine; the outbreak of the Ebola virus in West Africa.
• Praise God for the fruitful work of missionaries supported by LBC in recent years: Justin and Gayle Gallo (church plant in Salerno), Ross and Lindsay Stowers (Italy), Soon and Erin Pak (returned from 2 years in East Asia).
• Pray for our Global Missions Team, charting the course for future mission trips and global church planting: Ravi Jain, TJ Sellers, Bart Johnson, Christina Nesbitt, and future team members. Pray specifically for wisdom in the selection of an overseas church planting partnership.
• Pray for LBC members engaged in global ministry work: David and Joan Walker, Don Dearing, Doug and Denise Anderson, Elizabeth Pennock, Debbie Iannetti, Matt and Katie Watts, Mike and Molly Tilley.
• Praise God for the reign of Christ, and pray for the coming of his kingdom (Matthew 6:10).

August Daily Prayer #1: Call to Me

Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it--the Lord is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. (Jeremiah 33:2-3)

Our theme for the August Prayer Initiative is "Call to Me." Call to God because he made the earth. Call to God because of the power of his name. Call to God because he said, "I will answer you." As we pray for the work of Lake Baldwin Church in anticipation of the fall, we acknowledge our dependence on God.

• Take some moments to worship God as Creator.
• Turn the affections of your heart to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who lived a life of prayer and dependence on the Father.
• Acknowledge that we cannot serve him in our own strength.
• Thank him for past mercies in your life, for faithful answers to prayer.
• Are you carrying a weight? Ask for his grace to enable you to rest in Him.
• Pray that God will do "great things" for his glory in the coming months.
• Pick one area of church life that's on your heart, and pray for that.

In less than 24 hours, we have 28 people on the list to pray daily! Thank you for signing up!

LBC Weekly: 8/3/14

We’re happy to announce that the elders have issued a call to prayer for the month of August. Beginning tomorrow, we are asking the congregation of Lake Baldwin Church to take a few minutes to pray for the work of the church as we anticipate the spiritual opportunities of the fall. While we pray throughout the year, we have an annual prayer focus each August. Check out this 2-minute video clip that gives some of the heart and history behind the August Prayer Initiative. To watch the video, click here (http://vimeo.com/72191000) . See below for two simple ways that you can participate.

Why have a special focus on prayer?

* God has promised to answer: “Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it--the Lord is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (Jeremiah 33:2-3)
* We are dependent upon God.
* We are in a spiritual conflict, and we need the strength of the Lord.
* There are spiritual opportunities ahead of this fall. We plant and water, but it is God who causes the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6).

Take a Few Minutes to Pray Each Day in August

* Starting August 1, take a few minutes each day to pray for the work of the church.
* We’ll send out a verse of Scripture and a prayer focus for each day. To receive this daily devotional during August, click here (mailto:Mike.Tilley@lakebaldwinchurch.com?subject=August%20Prayer%20Initiative--Daily%20Devotional) .
* The aim is to bathe every aspect of church life and outreach in prayer. We will pray for SPLASH, youth, small groups, worship, missions, the city, the world, our neighbors, and more.

Attend One or More Monday Night Prayer Gatherings in August

* Each Monday night in August,  from 7-8 pm, our elders and wives will be hosting a prayer gathering at the Lake Baldwin Church office/hub. The address is 1300 Lake Baldwin Lane, Orlando, FL 32814.
* The first one will be this Monday, and will be hosted by Richard and Susanne Hostetter.
* Prayer requests will be provided, and you can bring your own requests. We all need prayer--feel free to come with your own needs.
* We will also bathe the work of the church in prayer, and we will pray for revival and renewal in our hearts, in our church, and in our city.

Worship This Sunday at 10:45

* We will continue our series on “Keeping the Faith” with a message from 2 Timothy 4:1-5. As you read this passage in advance, you might want to ask, “How does the reality of Christ in verse 1 shape our lives?”
* We will gather around the Lord’s Supper.
* Ross Stowers, one of our missionaries, will be with us for an interview.

In His Grace,
The Elders