Taking a Deeper Look: Prayer

Even Tebow does it...

Biblical Basis

Head to any Bible app and type in the word pray and you will be overwhelmed with the number of search results!  Here's a few of the big ideas about prayer from God's Word:

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV84)pray continually; 

Matthew 6:6 (NIV84)But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 

1 Corinthians 14:15 (NIV84)So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 

Ephesians 6:18 (NIV84)And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Growing in Prayer

Our Rooted in God's Love initiative shows a growth progression in prayer that ranges from "I know I can pray to God about all things" to "I have a constant awareness of God's presence in the world."

What are some of the big steps in that progression?  So glad you asked...

Nuts & Bolts

So many people struggle with what and how to pray, even though they feel the burden of why to pray. In the early development of a Christian's prayer life, we want them to begin to understand the basics of what prayer looks like.  Ironically, it's different for everyone!  The way we pray changes and grows as our relationship with God does.  The more we know God the better the conversation!

Consistency

As people get a grasp on how to converse with God, we want to inspire and encourage them to make their prayer more and more consistent.  This helps enhance our relationship with God and also makes our prayer more effective.

Trust

Deeper faith requires greater trust.  As our prayer life continues to grow, we need to learn to trust God more and more by beginning our endeavors with prayer as opposed to inviting God to join our current situation.  The more we do this the more trust we show in God's plan and his ability to work through us.

Awareness

The more time we spend in conversation with God, the more we hear him speak (not necessarily audibly.. not trying to be weird here.).  This phase of our growth in prayer is all about seeing God and hearing what he wants to speak in our current situation.  As we become more aware of God's presence in our world, we see more and more the part we are called to play in it!

What's my Prayer Score?

Spiritual formation and growth is difficult to measure.  It requires self-evaluation and honesty.  Click on this link for a quick evaluation that I have put together to help you get started:

Prayer Evaluation

If you'd like to get your score back and some steps to take for growth, enter your email at the bottom before submitting.  Otherwise, it's completely anonymous!

Taking Root,

Blake

This Week's Wins

I'm learning the more that I depend on God to show up, the more I get to see him work; and I continue to see that happening in the life of CCC!  Here's some wins that happened this week, sponsored by the letter M:

• God challenged and encouraged both Rodney and I at the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta!  I know this doesn't involve everyone, but it has an impact on everyone!  We're hoping to invite other leaders in our congregation to attend this conference in the future!  The theme was Make.
  
• It was pretty cool to feel the Spirit moving amongst the people during The Great I Am yesterday!  What a blessing to worship with the worship team and spend some time resting in God's presence!  My heart was moved, motivated, and remade!
  
• The Fall Festival created memories, meetings, and meals!  First, Carla Williams did a FABULOUS job coordinating this!  Do me a favor and flood her with your gratefulness through a text, call, or note!  The memories made at the festival were awesome and the pictures are soon to come!  Keep your eye on the newsletter for more.  It was also cool to meet several new families that joined us!  What a great chance to learn people's story and invite them to join us in the journey of following Christ!  And then there was the FOOD!  Yum...  Also really cool to see us being able to provide a meal or two for some families that needed it!  Great job church!

Taking Root,

Blake

Get Signed up for SuperStart!

WHAT:  An overnight conference for all 4th/5th grade students that is OUT OF THIS WORLD!
WHEN: November 9-10.  We will leave at 3 pm Friday and return 5:30 PM Saturday.
WHERE:  Northside Christian Church, New Albany, IN
WHO:  YOU!  If you're in 4th or 5th grade!
HOW MUCH:  $55 to cover registration costs and hotel, plus money for your meals (More on this later!)
REGISTRATION:  Due October 24.  You'll need your $$, This permission slip: CIY Permission Slip, and a copy of your insurance card.

If you have questions or to get signed-up, see Kari Jo.

Taking Root,

Blake

What's Up Wednesday!

There is NOTHING up this Wednesday!  Enjoy Fall Break!

On another note, pray for Rodney and I as we left early this morning for the Catalyst convention in Atlanta.  Pray that God would teach and challenge us this week.

Taking Root,

Blake

This Week's Wins

It's RAINING!! A LOT!

A good reminder of God's mercy that rains down on us each day.

We're in low gear as many are enjoying fall break this week; Here's a couple highlights from the week that was.

• A semester high 47 kids in Root 2:52 this week! Praise God!
  
• A GREAT turnout for the Heavenly Haven farm trip!  It was so fun, I didn't even get to taking any pictures!