BREAKTHROUGH PRAYER

from Roberta Longfellow

Prayer can be very powerful! Many congregations have made awesome changes in their church life and in the lives of the people by engaging with a special prayer called a Breakthrough Prayer. The Breakthrough Prayer Initiative (BPI) is a different kind of effort that has helped congregations who are trying to cope with challenges such as how to deal with a building no longer needed, how to develop a deeper relationship in the neighborhood, or how to promote a new identity.

The prayer has three components: it is short and easy to remember; it is an addition to and different from other prayers; and it focuses on what God wants to do, expecting that we will listen and God will respond.

Here is the Breakthrough Prayer recently adopted by our congregation:

GOD OF SURPRISES, BREAK THROUGH THE LIFE OF GRACE CHURCH AND ITS PEOPLE. REVEAL TO US NEW WAYS WE CAN BE FAITHFUL AND FRUITFUL, MOVING INTO THE FUTURE YOU HAVE IN STORE.

We ask that you pray the prayer at least once a day and, if possible, twice, perhaps at 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Laminated copies of the prayer are available in the church office for pick up or may be mailed if you call the office (937-278-4731). Watch for more BPI activities!

CHOIR TONIGHT

Come to the Blue Room tonight, Wednesday, July 31, at 6:30 p.m. for a choir rehearsal in preparation for singing in worship on Sunday, August 4! Come even if you missed the previous rehearsals! This is a short-term commitment. Don’t be scared—it’s fun!

HOPE GATHERING

The HOPE Letter Writers meeting is tomorrow, Thursday, August 1, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom in conjunction with the West Ohio Conference All In Community. Guest speakers Gaylisa Carr and Monica Moening are from Building Freedom Ohio and will share information about the grassroots movement to abolish collateral consequences against those with felony records. Here is the link.