You might have never thought about it, but worship is natural to us. It's not just natural to Christians, it is natural to all of humanity. The history of humanity is full of people who worship things, people, and ideas. Our worship as Christians is different though. We know why we were created to worship and we know the one who is worthy of all of our worship (its Jesus). 

This Sunday we explore how worship is an essential part of our lives. This is even more true for those that have met and known Jesus. 

As Christians we are not promised that life will suddenly become perfect. We live in a broken world, and though our lives may be changed by faith, it doesn't mean the world is fixed. In fact, Jesus often says that the world will turn against us because of our faith. No matter what, it seems like suffering is a part of this life. Yet, our faith can fundamentally change that. Our faith no longer binds us to the broken and fickle things of this world and instead shows us the faith grace and bounty of God.

Prayer becomes an essential part of this transformation. We will still suffer in this life. Yet, if we bring that suffering to God in prayer we know he can transform it. He can use that suffering to show us what is truly wrong with the world, us and our relationship with him. He can use that suffering to show us how much we need him and how much he can do. He can use that suffering to show us that his knowledge and will is far better than ours. Join us this Sunday when we look at the prayer of lament. 

Isaiah 45:3-13 Psalm 145:1-13 John 4:1-26 Our lives are full of moments where God shows up in definitive ways. The hard part is that we rarely recognize these moments. It would seem as though we need different eyes to see and different ears to hear. This Sunday, we will be exploring a special kind of prayer practice that I call reflective prayer. In it, we look back at our stories. Our stories from the Bible where we know God appeared and how he worked. Stories from other Christians where they have seen and recognized God's work. And finally, through prayerful reflection, we lift up our own stories to God to see where he has worked and how he is working in our lives.

We know what it has meant for us to believe in Jesus. We know the kind of faith that sustains us. We know the kind of worship that inspires us. We know the kind of fellowship that transcends friendship. We know the kind of learning that is beyond earthly wisdom. We know a hope that can never be defeated. We know a love in Jesus Christ that is bigger than anyone could imagine. There is so much more. Why wouldn't we want those we love to come to faith? Why wouldn't we go out of our way to draw them in?

Evangelism has gotten a bad name - I think a big part of this is that we are scared of it. It is scary sharing the good news - especially because as Jesus warns, we know we will be rejected at times. Yet, we know it is essential to bringing people closer to Jesus and the life that everyone desires. We should take comfort in the fact that it is actually God doing the converting. It is God who softens the heart, opens the eyes and makes people able to come close - yes they have to willing to, but God does the work. This means that if we really want conversion, if we really want people to know the joy of Christ, then prayer becomes essential. We must lean on God's work. We must also pray for our own converted hearts so that together with God, we might join the work of bearing fruit and planting seeds for the Kingdom. Join us this Sunday as we talk about praying for conversion. 

We all need help and guidance. I think out of ego and a desire for self-reliance, I want to caveat that need with sometimes. Yet, I think the truth is that we always need help and guidance. Most of us have experienced a moment where the most mundane act, or seemingly innocuous comment somehow becomes a great hurdle or struggle, usually because we don't know enough or couldn't interpret all of the things we do see. These are just small things, how much more do we need help and guidance in the big things like our careers, relationships, giving, identity, and more? 

We don't know enough, and often, we aren't good enough, but God is. Thanks be to God. The best part is that he wants to help us and guide us, and he will help if we ask and are open and willing. Yet as simple as those words are, continually asking God means being humble enough to really depend on him. Being open means leaving space and taking time. Willingness means being willing to give up what we want, what we think, and our comfort to seek God's will. Even if we don't always trust God's guidance, we know that God's will is far better than ours and leads us to a life far better than our plans can. 

Join us Sunday when we will look at Discernment: Praying for Guidance.