A Time to Pray for 40 Days

8-25-21 Glenda Simpkins Hoffman

It was such a joy this past Sunday to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Vienna Presbyterian Church. God calls us to remember his faithfulness, to give thanks for what he has done, and to rejoice in the privilege of being a part of his body here at this unique time. 

And now is a time to look forward with anticipation for what God will do in our midst in the future. I like to break up my year into 40-50 day increments. It helps me keep focused on the highest priorities and practices for a particular season. As I was doing this, I realized that it is 40 days from today, on October 4, that our new lead pastor Hope Lee will arrive. So, I invite you to join me in an intentional season of prayer for her, our staff, our session, and all of us at VPC as God prepares us for this new season of life and ministry.  

In the past, I have provided suggestions for prayer that some have found helpful, so here are a few you may want to include: 

1. Pray for Hope and her family in this time of transition as she prepares to move to Vienna and begin her call as our lead pastor. Pray for God’s supernatural resources to overflow for each family member at this particular season in their individual and family life.  
2. Pray for all the staff who continue to work so diligently—for wisdom, for direction, and for God’s strength and power to help in planning, preparing, leading, and equipping God’s people for ministry and mission. 
3. Pray for our session and those involved in the transition process—for wisdom, discernment, and all that is needed in moving VPC to the new, hopeful future the Lord has in store for us. 
4. Pray for yourself and the congregation as a whole to be attentive in listening to the Lord.  How is God calling us to follow him and disciple others in this new season of life and ministry here at VPC? Pray for our eyes to see, our ears to hear, and our hearts to be open and ready to receive our new pastor and her leadership.  
5. In Matthew 9:37-38, Jesus looked with compassion at the needs of so many in the crowd and said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Rejoice in this good news that the harvest is plentiful! And pray for laborers to engage in the mission of the church. Ask God to show you how he wants to answer that prayer through you as an individual and us as a congregation: 
   1. Who are the people in your life who need the Lord? How might God want to use you to share the good news of Jesus? 
   2. What are your spiritual gifts, and how does God want to use you to build up his body at VPC?  
   3. Pray particularly for laborers to work with our children, student, and families. ministries. 

 Prayer is a gift that God gives us and uses to accomplish his will. Along with the above prayers, you may consider praying the Lord’s Prayer daily.   

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.  At the same time pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ… (Colossians 4:2-4.). [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]