Here is the “Praying 10 in 2010″ that we are beginning on January 19^th at our church. January 19^th is 30 days to Ash Wednesday. This would certainly work for a Lenten activity or any time of the year.

Enclosed in this “sharing” is what we had in our newsletter.

Also there is a handout. On the two Sunday’s prior to our kick-off, we passed around a sign up sheet at the start of each worship. Those who are willing to commit to the challenge, sign their name and take the hand-out.

I hope you find that this is something you can use. Also if you find ways to improve it, please share!

God bless, Dan

Newsletter announcement:

“Praying 10 In 2010”

Then, make time to pray 10 minutes a day.

Make prayer a part of your daily life in 2010!

Hand-out:

“Praying 10 in 2010″

Suggestion for praying 10 minutes:

1. Begin your prayer by taking slow deep breaths.

*As you do, with each inhale, imagine yourself being filled with the Holy Spirit and the presence of God. With each exhale, imagine the worries, anxieties, fears, doubts and all those things in our heart that aren’t of God, leaving you.

When you feel at peace, continue on in prayer.

2. Begin praying the concerns, joys, sorrows that are going on in your life.

3.Pray for your family.

4. Pray for your community

5. Pray for the lost that they might encounter the love of Christ.

6. Pray for our church:

*Remember the following church ministries in your prayers each day: Bible studies, Sunday School, Youth Group, WELCA, Councils, etc. Look at church calendar for specific meetings and events, and pray for them.

*Pray for the pastor each day.

*Pray each day that each church member would reflect Christ in the world through their words and actions.

*Pray each day that God would bless the ongoing ministry of our parish so that we might fulfill our ministry, grow spiritually, and reach out to the community.

*Pray especially on Saturday and Sunday morning for the upcoming worship service. You are asked to pray: that all people will be called by the Holy Spirit to attend; that God’s Spirit would fill our sanctuary; that God will bless all people involved in the service; and that the worship will be received by God as a sign of our love for Him.

7. Pray for the church universal

*that their ministries will be blessed and that more will come to know the good news of Jesus in their lives through the church’s words and deeds.

8. Pray at least ten thanks you’s to God.

9. Be silent

*My own rule of thumb is that I work to try to keep the time equal, between talking to God and listening to him. Let your soul rest. In the quiet, listen to see if there isn’t something Jesus wants to say to you.

***

Other people I know will pray in five minute increments, or two minute increments, adding up to at least ten minutes per day.

Pray in the way that best works for you, but PLEASE include the church in your prayers as we are called to be the light of Christ to our community and world.

If you have any questions about prayer, please call Pastor Dan, he’d love to talk to you about this means of connecting with God (543-3088). E-mail: adbohlman@hotmail.com

: For the 30 days leading up to Ash Wednesday, our church will be participating in 10 minutes a day of prayer for our church and world. We have been working hard at making prayer a foundational piece of our church and we are ready to take the next step. Our goal is to get a minimum of 50 people to sign up to for this ministry. Prayer moves mountains and our entire church praying can move the world! There will be no classes. A page of instructions will be given to you as suggestions to follow.