As we continue to abide in the ‘place of prayer’ at Valley; meditating on the Lord’s prayer during our current teaching series, inviting God to take us deeper into Himself as we, like the disciples of old say, teach us to pray (Luke 11:1) and interceding on behalf of one another:
 
To all (at Valley) who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.  (Romans 1:7)
 
I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus.  (Philippians 1:4-5)

To our Father in heaven, we lift our eyes as we come into His holy presence, rejoicing in His love and grace.
 
We confess that we have often strayed, choosing our own way and in so doing, missing out on the fullness of our Father’s blessing.  I pray that God would forgive us and restore us.
 
We confess, we don’t always love perfectly, so I pray that our Father would make our love increase and overflow for each other.  (1 Thessalonians 3:13)
 
I pray that we, being rooted and built up in (Christ)…might be strengthened in the faith as (we have been) taught, and (that we would overflow) with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:7)
 
I pray that our friends and loved ones who need an extra measure of the strength and courage and grace that only God can provide, would find in Him all they need.  And I pray that the Holy Spirit would lead us and enable us to come alongside and be agents of blessing in the lives of those who are fearful and lonely; may we encourage and build up one another as we have been called to do.
 
I pray that we would have grateful hearts as we acknowledge all that we enjoy in this life is a good from the hand of our good and gracious Father, who is more than able to supply at that we need.
 
I pray that our God would lead us in the way we should go and teach us to wait upon Him; to walk in faith and trust.  I pray that He would meet us when the way seems dark and bring us the green pastures and still waters that we might find rest for our souls.
 
Above all, I pray that we as His people would be lost in the wonder and awe of the Father’s love for us; that we would recognize nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of Christ.
 
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Romans 8:38-39)
 
I pray that God might be honored in our lives, hour homes and families and our church.
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”  (Revelation 5:16)

Each time our Leadership Team meets, we begin with a devotional time that is led by various members of the team.  It is a rich part of our time together; it sets the tone for the meeting and allows a time of refection as truth is shared and time is spent in prayer.  What makes it even more meaningful is that what is shared often reflects not only where we are as a church and Leadership Team, but very much reflects the heart of the one leading; where they are in their own journey of faith—in this we learn from and inspire one another.
 
This past week I had the privilege of leading that time with the team.  My focus was on a thought that has been on my mind as we talk these days about the role prayer plays in our walk of faith.  In particular I have been thinking about what it is we pray about as we come to God.  It’s been my observation that we do well in interceding for one another about concerns we have for our health and well-being and those that we care about as family and friends.  But, as I asked the team, what are we asking God to do among us Valley beyond providing healing grace and strength and rest for who are dealing with health concerns.
 
I was intrigued by one phrase I see over and over again in Scripture: “I pray that”.
 
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.  (Ephesians 1:17-19)
 
Paul’s request was very specific; praying for spiritual enlightenment so that these Christians would know, would experience the hope that is ours in Christ and the power of Christ at work in us.
 
There is an unmistakeable pattern in Scripture of this kind of specific ‘ask’ in prayer.
 
There was a time when, the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness. 
Because of their lack of faith and trust, God send snakes to inflict the people and many died.  The people came to Moses with a very specific request for deliverance. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.  (Numbers 21:7)
 
Another time, the people asked Jeremiah to, pray that the Lord your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do.  (Jeremiah 42:3)
 
People / remnant are fearful of the Babylonians – want to flee to Egypt
Approach Jeremiah to seek God’s guidance
 
To the church at Ephesus, Paul would write:  I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  (Ephesians 3:16-19)
 
Paul also asked for their prayer support: Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6:19-20)
 
As I have asked myself, as I asked of the Leadership Team, I now ask of all of us at Valley, what specifically are we praying for our church/ what are we asking God to do among us?  I look forward to interacting with you as we take this to our Lord and wait upon Him to lead and direct us as we call out to Him in prayer.

I've been thinking lately about the power of our words; to build up or tear down.  Proverbs 18:21 tells us, the tongue has the power of life and death.  It sounds so incredibly simple, but we do have within us the ability to bless and encourage others simply by what we say and how we say it. But, too often I find that is easier said than done.  Not surprisingly, the Bible says...no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.  (James 3:8-10)

To live by faith requires making choices; in this case, the choice to use our words for good, to speak hope and life into another.  The soothing tongue is a tree of life. (Proverbs 15:4)  Everyday we have the opportunity to speak kind words, gentle words, hope-filled words; words the express appreciation and words that heal and inspire.

Recently I was watching television program in which the main character had a mantra that guided his leadership, 'how can I help'?  There are so many of these kinds of words / phrases that, when spoken, have a powerful and lasting impact on those who receive them.  As I thought about this, several words and phrases came to mind:

"I'm praying for you" 

"You can do it"

"Is there anything you need?"

"I'm here for you"

"I'll be there"

"You can count on me"

Words of common courtesy like "please" and "thank you"

Around Valley we often say "we'll make it work"

"We serve as a team"

"I love you"

"I'm sorry"

In all of this I am reminded again of God's words to me:  Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine...you are precious and honored in my sight...I love you.  (Isaiah 43:1,4)  How precious are the words of God to us!

As you think about the power of our words, I wonder, what are those words / phrases that you have spoken or heard that have blessed and encouraged your and inspired others.  Please use the comment section below or send an email to pass along those words / phrases that we might encourage one another as we continue to do life together and spur one another on to love and good deeds.