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RCRC Month of Prayer
June 29 – Run to win
Read: 1 Cor 9:24-27 – "What the prize really is"
Observe: The prize Paul strives for is that he may be used by God "so that by all possible means he might save some". Paul understands that the best way to glorify God is to run in order to win this prize. And God wants his church to do the very same thing. That’s why we read the command "Run in such a way as to get the prize." So our prayer becomes, Lord, use us, use me so that by all possible means we might save some." For this reason we go into strict training. For this reason we discipline our life and expression as a church. For this reason we plan and develop strategies for ministry and mission. This is the reason we are salt and light. This is the reason we need a heart for the lost. This is the reason God has called us as his community. That God might use us as instruments to bring others into relationship with his Son, Jesus Christ. No matter where you look in Paul’s letters, this one desire is very clear.
Speaking personally, I have no greater dream or vision than for the church to be this kind of church. That everything we aspire to might be directed to this one great end. That’s why I get excited when I see something like the Kid’s Games program. Sure, I get a buzz out of seeing a team work really well to deliver an excellent program (even though I’m sure they return home exhausted each day!). But what really excites me is to think of how this may be used to build bridges into families, that God might draw people closer to himself through things like this, and Alpha, and small groups, etc. I couldn’t wish for anything better than to see God working in people so that they run for a prize like that!
Pray:
- Which people whom you know do you identify as "the prize" in your life? Ask God to lay on your heart the faces of people you know who need to know Jesus. Pray for them regularly. Ask for opportunity to share your hope with them.
- Ask God to focus our church, its leaders, and all its members, on "the prize", and that this one great motivation will be the filter for every decision we make. Ask that our attitude will be the same as that of Christ, who counted his privilege and glory as nothing, and took the nature of a servant, and went to the Cross, for his prize
- Property Developments: Please ask the Lord to lead and guide us as we consider our calling and mission and what demands that places on our property. Lay these things before the Lord, and ask him to guide us through his word and spirit.
- Lord, have us run the race with determination! Get us thinking about our race plan! Have us hunger for the prize! Let us be a model of your grace as we run to win.
Feedback: dave@redlandscrc.org.au