Prayer Notes – Preparing for Easter 2021

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)

Praise and Thanks...

• Give thanks that love inspired God to create the world and save the world. Praise him for a love that held nothing back in his pursuit of us, even his only son. 
• Praise God for your salvation and worship the lamb who was slain so that we were not condemned but forgiven.

Praying again for people to accept the invitation to our Easter Services...

• That many would sense the invitation from God to come to church at Easter, and that every attempt of the enemy to block the way to be overcome.
• For those in our families and among our friends to join us at an Easter service. Pray for the right time to ask, and that God would open their hearts.
• For many to tune into our live stream and for distractions to be limited so they can listen and respond. 

Praying for Easter Services... 

• That God would bring a beautiful unity in the worship team and help them as they prepare, practise and minister in the services.
• For those bringing testimonies - that God would reveal his love and life through them.
• For Pastor Marty as he preaches on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, that the gospel would powerfully make its way into minds and hearts. 
• For all those taking part in the creative and tech ministries to know God’s joy, anointing and protection on their lives.
• For the love, peace and hope of God to be felt among us on Friday and Sunday, and that we would welcome all who come.
• That God would protect us from the evil one and bring victory and life.
• That some would cross over from death to life this Easter.
• For people to sign up for the Alpha course in term 2.
• For Jesus to be lifted high in our city and state through all churches. For the power of God to transform many lives.
• For TV and media programs that share the message to impact many lives in our city and world. 

It’s encouraging to see so many new people coming home to The Grove. Last Sunday 160 people attended our 9.30am service. With current COVID restrictions, the auditorium can only seat 184 with the 2m2 rule, before using the foyer for overflow seating. We are so full of thanks to God for the way he is drawing people, working in their lives, and for the opportunities we have to make room for more to come. 

As we prepare for Easter services, we made the decision to hold two Easter Sunday services at 8am and 10am, as historically this is a well-attended service. We don’t want anyone to miss out on hearing about the hope and life found in Jesus. Our Good Friday service is planned for 8am, however, if it fills up we can add an extra service as needed. 

Over 5000 Invitations to Easter will be bundled and ready for our letterbox drop from this Sunday. Please join us in getting the invitations out in Ferny Grove, Upper Kedron and Ferny Hills. 

Last Sunday John Sweetman preached about revival and shared the metaphor of a tidal wave. Before the wave comes, the tide recedes a long way. As we look around at our society, we are deeply concerned at how far the tide has gone out in contrast to the Kingdom values of Jesus. But maybe it’s a sign that a tidal wave of revival is building up. If that's the case, then what should our response be? 

John also quoted G. Campbell Morgan. 

"Revival cannot be organized, but we can set our sails to catch the wind from heaven when God chooses to blow upon His people once again."

In numerous conversations after the service, and through this week, people have quoted Morgan’s words to me. “Let’s set our sails”. It really is a confirmation of our call to rise up in Isaiah 60. Our vision for 2021 is focussed on many people of all ages coming home to God, so our calling is to rise up and be ready for them. That’s our faith response – to set our sails.

This calling will require all of us to play our part in serving and giving our lives away for the greatest cause on earth, the gospel of Jesus.  As the body of Christ rise up, then we are able to welcome people of all ages, and help them belong and become all Jesus intends for them to be. 

Rising up can be expressed in many different ways, but all for the same purpose. 

• It’s as we serve in the church through welcoming people, teaching kids, leading youth, joining a ministry team. 

• It’s through cleaning the church, caring for the grounds and helping as a volunteer. 
• It’s through coming to pray with others, joining a connect group and spending personal time with Jesus. 
• It’s through coming regularly to worship God, promoting unity, and seeking to encourage those around you in Christ. 
• It’s through using the diverse gifts and the abilities God has placed in our lives to build up the church and faith in others. 
• It’s through investing our finances to join with others in meeting our budget, so our loan can be repaid while ministry and mission is supported to move forward.
• It’s through going out as a witness to Jesus through the week in the places we work, live and play. 

Growth in the church is an exciting time and produces a certain momentum. However, to catch the life changing momentum the Holy Spirit brings, so that it continues and increases in our lives and church, means rising up our sails and setting them to where he is moving everyday. 

God is on the move in this place church, so let’s rise up!

God bless,

Marty

PRAYING FOR REVIVAL

PRAISE AND THANKS…

• That revival is the work of God 
• For our own salvation 
• That the Holy Spirit is continually at work in the world 

Praying for those seeking God... 

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” John 7:37-38

For this is what the high and lofty One says - he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Isaiah 57:15 

• That many would come to know the saving power of God 
• That those who are thirsty would seek the things of God 
• That our Alpha courses will always be full and people will continue to ‘drop in’ to church 
• That prodigals would return 

Praying for personal renewal... 

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. Psalm 51:10-13 

• Pray for a spirit of humility and brokenness before God 
• Pray for a pure heart and steadfast spirit 
• Ask for a hunger for God’s word and a readiness to obey 
• Pray for opportunities to share Christ’s love with others 

Revival of the Church...

Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Psalm 85:6 

• Pray that we as a people will be humble before God 
• Pray that our faith will be renewed 
• Pray for healing in bodies, minds and hearts and that long term difficulties would be overcome 
• Ask for a tender and burning love for the lost 
• Pray that people will be added to the Kingdom daily! 

God at work in our Nation... 

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit of your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. Isaiah 44:3 

• Pray for a powerful work of the Holy Spirit in our dry and thirsty land 
• Pray for many in our community to be drawn to our Easter services
• Pray that we would be a nation set apart for Christ
• Pray for a great harvest

READ LUKE 14:15-24

• Give thanks to the Lord that he built us a spiritual home. Praise him for the privilege we have of serving his body, the church.
• Pray that we would warmly welcome all who Jesus invites to come home at The Grove.
• Pray that we would all learn to break out of our comfort zones to welcome those who are new at The Grove.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to give us eyes to see people each week who need a welcome and encouragement.
• Pray that we would invite people to come to church - those in our streets, in the laneways. Those in great need. 
• May we learn from God new ways to show hospitality. Pray for the resources we need to fit out the kitchen in God's time.
• May young people experience the welcome of Jesus as they find a place in the kids and youth ministries.
• Pray that Jesus' house would be full of people coming to explore the gospel and may we all help others on their spiritual journey.
• Pray that people would feel welcome from the street, to the carpark to the foyer to the seats. Help us Lord to be the kindest and most welcoming community. Pray that we would grow our teams of welcomers, carpark attendants and ushers.
• Pray that many people would accept the invitation to come to church.

As we prepare to open the new church building, this is also a time to open our hearts for all the amazing things God has in store for 2021!

This week Jason Elsmore, our newly appointed QB Director, will be speaking on moving immovable mountains. In part of his message he mentions Caleb, one of the twelve spies sent out by Moses to examine the land God was giving them. Most of the spies came back to report that indeed the land was flowing with milk and honey, but there were also powerful, fortified cities around it which would make it impossible to conquer. Caleb silenced the crowd and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it." (Num 13:30). 
 

Was this sheer soldier bravado, was it kamikaze-style thinking?  I think it was something more powerful – it was 100% faith in God.

Caleb had witnessed God free Israel from slavery.  He had walked on dry land in the Red Sea, with walls of water on either side. He had seen how God had washed away the enemies that were chasing them with one blow. He had seen water come from a rock when there was nothing to drink. He had seen God provide manna and quail when there was nothing to eat. He had seen, and probably helped set up the Tabernacle and seen the glory of God surround the place day and night.

Caleb saw the enormity of the things ahead, but also had experienced firsthand the power of His God. Next Sunday we will be worshipping in a new building – it will be a new thing! It will be exciting, it will be memorable! As we step forward into this new venture, let us never forget all the things we have seen God do firsthand and may we step forward with something so powerful - 100% faith in God. He can truly move immovable mountains! 

May this be our witness next week as we gather to worship in His presence. May this be your hope as you continue to pray for friends and family to invite into this place.

Blessings,

Ps Leigh