As we reflect on God’s incredible blessing of provision, let’s consider the art of pruning. Initially, it can look devastating – cutting away what seems healthy. But the enduring result reveals its immense benefit and wisdom. When a plant is pruned back, it doesn’t just survive; it generates vibrant new growth, breathing fresh life into the entire plant.
In the same way, it’s impossible to be in a relationship with God and not experience growth. And most often, that growth comes from God gently, yet purposefully, pruning things in our lives. These might be things we’re comfortable with, things we’re used to, but God knows they’re hindering deeper growth.
Even the very act of prayer is like a pruning exercise. When we pray, we intentionally shift our focus onto God – what He wants to do in us and through us. We also shift our attention onto the needs of others, both within our local community and the broader Body of Christ, reaching out to the wider community of our town. As Christians, our deepest desire should be to never stay still, but to continually grow in our knowledge and understanding of God, and profoundly in our experience of Him
God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which he must work. Only to know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves.” A.W. Tozer
As we enter this final segment of our prayer time, our focus turns to a foundational desire: growth in God’s church, especially within the lives of individual followers of Jesus. Growth isn’t just a suggestion; it’s part of God’s original mandate for all of creation – to increase and multiply!
So, as we conclude, let’s pray specifically for this divine expansion in our own lives, asking that God will:
Add Goodness to our Faith;
Knowledge to our Goodness;
Self-control to our Knowledge;
Perseverance to our Self-control;
Godliness to our Perseverance;
Mutual Affection to Godliness;
And ultimately, Love to our Mutual Affection.
Let’s pray that all these vital qualities will grow exponentially within our church community and throughout the wider Body of Christ in our neighborhoods. May we all experience a profound increase in our faith and a new boldness to stand unashamedly for Christ!
I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener
Our vision is to be a church where people flourish, growing in the knowledge and love of God and reaching out in the spirit of generosity.