Jr. High Youth Ministry

I am adding this prayer submission for myself. With the Dancing With the Star activities ensuring to be successful, there is a need at Epworth UMC for more teachers. So to involve and enlighten myself, I signed up. I am hopeful I will grow from this experience and those involved with me will too. So for anyone else interested, pray for education to grow and flourish at Epworth UMC. And Thank you Lord for the kick in this direction....I think!

A Zoo to You

I was watching the 10 oclock news and was saddened to see that the petting zoo service we used for our Nativity this year suffered a fire early this morning. They lost many of their animals. I was struck by the man that woke up Jason and his wife Amy (owners of A Zoo to You). He punded on their door until they answered and then helped these people save their livelyhood. If that is not showing God's love for us through the kindness of others, I wouldn't know what it would be. I started to think of what I would do in a similar situation. I would call 911 because that is what I am "trained" to do, but would I have risked my own life for those of animals? As I sat there trying to pray for their loss, I started to realize that I am a fortunate woman who is surrounded by the kind Christian people here at Epworth that would stop by and help when in need. My prayer changed of one of asking for His help to those who have lost part of their daily lives to me Thanking Him for my daily life! I thought it was strange how quickly it changed and thought that it deserved more thought ..........

These are some of our animal friends that visited us from A Zoo to You. Our prayers are with you all!

Discovery Club

On January 30 (better late than never posted, eh?), Discovery Club talked about prayer, and the kids painted ceramic praying hands.
At the end of the night, we stood in a circle and took turns praying. Hopefully, we all learned something.

Kelly's prayer attempt

This is all new to me, so bear with me. As I sit here thinking about my life, I am realizing how very lucky I am. I was speaking with my 7 year old and discussing Lent recently. I relayed stories about how as kids, I used to give things up for Lent. He asked me then why I still eat chocolate and gum or drink that Coke, and I had to think. I really like to not give things up at Lent but take on a new or improve a current habit. This year, inspired by this blog I have decided to try to pray more often. He of course said he is going to try to pray too, but "Mom let's not be too greedy with what we pray about." Ah yes, that sparked a whole other conversation. But as we sat in the car, we prayed:
Thank you Lord for my family with all of it's characters and all of it's wonder. Thank you for my church. Thank you for my sisters who I won't fight with so much. Thank you for being our Lord!
So from now on, we will try harder to be more conscience about our prayers. I will keep you posted.

prayers and thoughts for young families

there are so many new families in my family, I think of them often when I pray. I ask God to strengthen them and help them to come together as supports and helpers for each other. The families I know are my children and my nieces and nephews, some with children some not. I pray that God helps them see the good in each other even when they are angry or disappointed with each other. I want to extend that concern to the young families in our church as it is hard to pull together when there are so many forces pulling us apart. This is not very smooth as a first effort, but it is heartfelt. mary

St. Francis' Prayer

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.”

St. Francis of Assisi

This was my mom's favorite prayer when I was young.

Thoughts on Prayer

Perseverance in Prayer
5 And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.' 7 And he answers from within, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs. 9 "So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Luke 11:5-13 (NRSV)

Jesus has told us to be vigilant and perserve in prayer. This week has been very trying for me. God has been vigilant with me this week. I can feel his calming influence at this moment. He has not left my side this week. I am so relieved he has been there to calm my personal storm. Anger or acting out in anger is no solution. God has made me realize this. I am praying he can keep me even calmer as the weeks progress.