Dear Friend,
It is always such a joy to write to you. As we begin a brand new year of ministry together, I want you to know I am praying for you. I look forward with great anticipation to all that God has in store for us this year. What are you anticipating God will do in your life in 2010? I want to challenge you to set your spiritual bar higher than you ever have before. God is more than able to meet your every need!
I hear from so many whose lives are being impacted through the ministry of The Encouraging Word. Your faithfulness in prayer and financial sacrifice allows us to continue to preach and teach the Word of God, evangelize the lost, disciple believers and connect people to local churches. It could not be accomplished without you!
Today I can think of nothing more wonderful than to go deep into the Word of God together – diving into one of the most incredible gifts that God could ever give to us: Prayer.
What is the prayer of your heart today? Restoration in your marriage? Financial stability? Physical healing? Maybe you are waiting for your “prodigal” son or daughter to come home. Perhaps you are simply praying for peace amidst the turmoil in your life, home and heart.
There is something I want you to know today – when you invest in time with God in prayer, He is able to do for you what you are not able to do for yourself.
Today, or in the next few days, I want you to turn in your Bible to Matthew, Chapter 6. This is called, “The Lord’s Prayer.” I’m very grateful for this prayer. It establishes a framework that we can use when we want to talk to God.
When you gave your life to Jesus Christ, God’s imputed righteousness was immediately given to you and you were reconciled to the Father. You were granted eternal life through the Son of the living God. And you now have direct access to the Father.
Matthew 6 identifies 10 crucial reasons you and I must pray. I would like to share one of these reasons with you today.
Prayer takes the focus off of YOU and places it on the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is a deep and abiding spiritual truth. Let me ask you a question. What happens when you hurt? If you have been diagnosed with a sickness, what are you feeling in your heart? If you are concerned about your son or daughter, and your heart is heavy, what begins to take place in your life? It happens to all of us. You turn inward. Everything suddenly becomes self-focused. Fears mount and hurts intensify. It is as though a bright spotlight zeros in on the pain you are feeling and the struggle you are going through.
When we take our eyes off of our circumstances and look into the face of the Lord Jesus Christ our entire perspective changes.
There is so much more to share with you on the wondrous gift of prayer. As you send your gift to The Encouraging Word this month, I will, in turn, send Ultimate Prayer to you on CD or DVD (whichever you prefer). I know it is going to impact your life ... and the lives of those you love (prayer has a way of multiplying the blessing ... touching and blessing the lives of others — even as you are being blessed)!
Your generosity will help us continue to produce and air The Encouraging Word broadcast as we begin this brand-new year of ministry!
We depend on your faithfulness ... and I thank the Lord for your willingness to respond as God leads and enables you today. And because God’s Word never returns void, your giving will make a difference for Jesus in this world as we faithfully preach, teach and minister to lost souls.
In closing, I invite you to take a moment to record your prayer requests and needs on the form below. Let our prayer team approach the Throne of Grace on your behalf. I love you. I appreciate you. And I count it a privilege to pray for you.
Your friend and pastor,
Don Wilton