Father,

Thank you for who You are. You’ve been faithful, gracious, and present in the life and community of our church. You are the one who put forth this church. We are a ‘treasured possession’; as we soak in the power of that truth, help us to also realize that you’ve created us to be a city on a hill. Help us – though this church and individual lives – to love our neighborhood, our neighbors, our city, and ultimately, to shine forth your Gospel to the world.

At this time, we pray for one another:

We pray for this church community. As we keep growing in size, keep us humble and rooted in our relationship with You. Help us to keep steadfast in our commitment and vision to the PERSON while we still reach out to PEOPLE. As we will keep growing, give us wisdom.

We pray for the spiritual maturity of each person. Help us to grow in knowledge, in grace, in faith, and in practice. We pray for those who are still investigating and searching for You. As they continue to join us at Quest, may you impress upon their hearts your love for them. Break through so that, they too, like each of us, understand both our depravity and beauty, and ultimately, renew our relationship with you through Jesus Christ.

We pray for those who are going through painful circumstances in relationships – with siblings, parents, children, friends, or neighbors. Give us wisdom to share and extend grace, forgiveness, and care. We especially pray for any married couple that might be hurting in their marriage; Father, reveal your heart and love to them; Remind them of your hope and grace so that they might not give up but find courage to repent, change, forgive, and love – ’till death do us apart.’

We pray for the singles community at Quest. Give them wisdom to surround themselves with those who can edify and encourage them; courage to remain true to their convictions; contentment to understand this current season as a gift and not a heavy burden, to utilize the resources that they have with time, energy, and finances to make an impact in others, the church, and for your Kingdom; for those that are in present relationships or are called into future marriage, give them integrity and character in their courtship and wisdom in patience and pursuit.

We pray for the children of our church. For each child. Thank you for blessing our church family with another child this past week as Josh/Angela Ter Louw welcomed Rose Mae. Thank you! We pray for Micah and Holly as they are expecting a child any moment as well as several other couples that are expecting in the near weeks. Father, we pray for the Kids’ Camp that is taking place throughout this week. As we encourage Pastor Katey and the many volunteers, we pray for the Holy Spirit to convey Your love and truth to each child so that each would be convicted.

We pray for Quest missionaries and friends. Be with Cris (and Jeff) Ramsdale and she continues to learn how to better honor and serve you through Navigators in the Northwest. We pray for Dick/Judy Anderson as they just left for Rwanda and Congo. Please keep them safe and continue to use them to speak your desire for healing, reconciliation, and grace. As we pray for Bob/Grace Shim in C.A., we are especially thankful that you’ve answered our prayers. Although the 7 of the 20 boxes of medical supplies were initially confiscated, thanks for their faith and persistence to receive the proper documentation in order to receive ALL of the remaining medical supplies after several days. Lord, use it for your glory! We thank you for the safe return of some of our summer visionaries. Yet, we continue to pray for Olivia Pryor in Kansas and the three Questers that are currently in St. Petersburg, Russia. Surround them with the power of your Spirit. We pray for Rich and Teresa Norman and their work with World Aid and their compassion for the Karen refugees of World Aid. Asides from just financial support, teach us to care. We pray for Pastor Leah and the larger team of nine Questers that are preparing to trek out to Thailand in less than three weeks.

Father, we pray for those within our church that are in the military. As we discerning submit to the leadership of this country, help us to pray for our leadership. We pray specifically for Jesse Tovar (and his family) as he was deployed and is now in Northern Iraq. Lord, please: keep him and others safe. We pray for Nicole Goodrich and her naval ship as they currently sail to Antarctica. We pray for these two but their larger families; as they come to our hearts, help us to pray.

We pray for those who are not feeling well – physically, emotionally, and even, mentally. We pray this not to pass judgment God, but to ask for your healing of peace and Shalom over their lives. As we seek assistance from medicine and doctors, we ultimately come to You and ask that You either HEAL our brother, sister, spouse, parent, or child or You give us the courage and strength to find some meaning and purpose. God, we need you. Please, reveal yourself to us even in the midst of our pain; Hear our cries; be merciful; be present; Fight for us, oh Lord. Carry us on your eagles’ wings…

Father, throughout this week and the weeks to come, move us to be a community of people that care for one another – with words, prayers, and with our hands. In the Name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Have a blessed week. Love, Pastor Eugene