God has brought you, and me, and all of us together to receive the gospel fully, and to advance the gospel further. This is the fellowship we’ve been called into with one another. This is what gospel partnership is.
Jesus has taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” because these are the things that he wants his disciples to love and prioritize.
In prayer, we’re raised up into conversation with Him – with the invisible, eternal inventor of galaxies and subatomic particles.
Being an elder isn’t just an administrative role, overseeing budgets, and programs, and buildings. No, the elder is a pastoral role, to oversee and serve the sheep.
Is there an extent to which Jesus could rightly call out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Yes, absolutely. Because Jesus was really and truly struck down by God the Father for our sin on the cross.
I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me, you can do nothing.
Prayer isn’t our gift to God. Prayer is God’s gift to us.