A Prayer for the Dry Times

We all come across dry stretches, don't we? Times when the circumstances of life seem to crush in upon us, and the comfort we would seek from our Savior seems to disappear. I'm guessing most Christians, at least those with any miles behind them in their walk, can relate. I know I can.

This morning, as I pondered a sense of dryness that has been present with me for a while, I picked up my copy of "The Valley of Vision", A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions. I opened it at random and saw this prayer. It helped me. May it help you, if you are in a desert today:

Sovereign Commander of the Universe,

I am sadly harassed by doubts, fears, unbelief, in a felt spiritual darkness. My heart is full of evil surmisings and disquietude, and I cannot act faith at all. My heavenly Pilot has disappeared, and I have lost my hold on the Rock of Ages; I sink in deep mire beneath storms and waves, in horror and distress unutterable.

Help me, O Lord, to throw myself absolutely and wholly on thee, for better, for worse, without comfort, and all but hopeless. Give me peace of soul, confidence, enlargement of mind, morning joy that comes after night heaviness; water my soul richly with divine blessings; grant that I may welcome thy humbling in private so that I might enjoy thee in public; give me a mountain top as high as the valley is low.

Thy grace can melt the worst sinner, and I am as vile as he; yet thou hast made me a monument of thy mercy, a trophy of redeeming power; in my distress let me not forget this.

All-wise God, thy never-failing providence orders every event, sweetens every fear, reveals evil's presence lurking in seeming good, brings real good out of seeming evil, makes unsatisfactory what I set my heart upon, to show me what a short-sighted creature I am, and to teach me to live by faith upon thy blessed self.

Out of my sorrow and night give me the name Naphtali - 'satisfied with favour' - help me to love thee as thy child, and to walk worthy of my heavenly pedigree. (from "The Valley of Vision", A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions)

Weekend Reminders

Don't forget the campfire fellowship today (Saturday) at the Bauers' home. Bring a lawn chair and a dish to pass and come join your FBC family for some fun, food, and fellowship. Festivities start at 5:00!

And if you're interested in helping us plan for Old Fashioned Sunday, which is coming up in September, we're having another planning session Sunday evening at 6:30. Join us?

Of course, in all your weekend planning, remenber that Sunday is the Lord's Day. Take time Sunday morning to gather with the church and worship. Sunday School starts at 9:30 and worship at 10:30. Join us?

Dirt and Donuts

Several of our faithful servants will gather Saturday, July 11 at 9:00 to spend a couple hours working on the landscaping around our new facilities.

Would you like to help?  If so, come dressed for dirt and meet at FBC at 9:00.

DONUTS PROVIDED!

Shaking Up Prayer Meeting

Has the need for prayer ever been greater?  Has our world ever needed it more?  Has our country ever needed it more?  Have you ever needed it more?

Well... we will be gathering Wednesday evening as we always do, to pray for these things... to pray for one another.  But there is something new to think about as you plan your Wednesday evening activities this week.

Prayer Meeting will have a new look. Rather than meeting in the sanctuary as we have been, we will be gathering around the tables in Fellowship Hall!

Will you join us from 6:30-7:45, as we gather for this most important activity?

“Either worrying drives out prayer, or prayer drives out worrying.” – Don Carson