Once again I want to share with you some more about prayer, remembering that prayer is the 'power house', the 'engine room', through which lives can be changed and the Kingdom of God grow in our midst. As I said last time, I have been finding the work of Liberty Savard a real help when it comes to giving us some guidance for prayer.

Last time I shared with you the first 8 keys that she is sending out to folk who are looking to become more effective in the way they pray. This time I want to share with you the second key Liberty Savard has given us: The key to changing how your prayers are answered. I do pray that you will find this prayer of real help to you personally, as well as for those you are praying for. We really do have an amazing God who wants the best for us, and He truly does know what's best! And it helps to remember that God sees the whole, while we only see in part!

I also want to mention that this is the season of Pentecost - the time when we especially reflect on the coming of God's Holy Spirit - as well as celebrate the birth of the church - the people, not the buildings J

For us to truly be God's people - God's church - we need to plug into the source - into the POWER -that God has given to us through the pouring-out of His Spirit upon all believers, as Jesus promised and the prophets had foretold.

I am aware the God is moving by His Spirit in a new way; and, increasingly, He is asking us to be more and more mindful of the fact that Jesus commanded us to "Go" in His name and to do what He did; and, indeed, even greater things than He did! And for this to happen we need to take the risk of moving out of our comfort zones, to reach out beyond the walls of the church with Jesus' saving love and the hope that only He can give us....

As I share so often, I believe that we are to be a "church without walls" that flows seamlessly out into the community and beyond taking with us the saving love of Jesus and His healing power and grace.... like a river of life-giving water bringing life and hope to the wider community of which we are a part....

And there are real signs that this is beginning to happen - including the ministry/mission of our Family Worker to parents and young people and families, as well as the work of our Pastoral Minister to the elderly, along with the chaplaincy ministry, and all the other ways in which the love of Jesus is shared with older folk in Te Awamutu and further afield... then there is the ministry of the Body, Soul and Spirit Exercise class, and a variety of groups that care for and reach out to men and women in our community offering care and companionship; there's also the "homemade" course for those needing help in practical ways to keep their budgets in check; and waht about the ways in which we extend the church's walls/mission overseas by contributing to things like Mission Without Borders, Operation Christmas Child, Mission in Uganda and India, etc etc.

Indeed God's Spirit is truly beginning to stir us and move in us in a new and wonderful way to the glory of God! Hallelujah! So once again, I ask that you would please continue to join me in prayer as we pray that God's will, will be done and that His Kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven!"

And, finally, I pray that you will truly know how precious you are to God, who planned for you and knew you from the very beginning of time. You are uniquely who God's made you to be; so let him reveal that to you more and more. I pray that you will be able to really rejoice in the knowledge that you are, indeed, 'fearfully and wonderfully made; (Psalm 139) as you discover the truth of that in a deeper and deeper way in your walk with the Lord.

Again, please don't hesitate to call me, or Derek, or to contact the Prayer Chain, or put your prayer requests into the box provided at the back of the church, should you want prayer for any matter, big or small - it is truly a privilege to journey with you in this way!

So may our wonderful God, our Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, be very close to you; may He bless and keep you and all your loved ones in His care, now and always!

Your sister in Christ

Diane (Diane Yule)

The 8 keys

Key 1 Key of surrendering to God's will

Key 2 Key to changing how your prayers are answered

Key 3 Key to changing how you think

Key 4 Key to changing how you make decisions