Transforming Prayer

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints . Ephesians 6:18

Our views of each other are dramatically transformed as we lift one another up in prayer before the Lord.

Anger is turned into compassion; hurt into forgiveness; impatience into sincere love; confusion into peace. The Lord's perspective of those we rub elbows with is formed in us-- we begin to see His fingerprints imprinted in their lives.

Please be praying for the Prayer Ministry at the Fellowship as it encourages the Body to be praying "for all the saints." Here are several requests to remember when praying for this ministry:

• That the Lord would develop a deeper love among the Body as well as a desire to be praying for each other often.
• That the Lord would be leading and followed as this ministry grows
• That the Lord would reveal and raise up more Believers to take part in praying for the Body.

Shepherds of God's Flock

Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 1 Peter 5:2-4

Clearly chosen by the Lord, our Pastors and Elders are shepherds that minister to the Body at Countryside. God is shepherding His people through these men and our intercession for them before the Father is hugely important.

As the Pastors and Elders fix their eyes on the "Chief Shepherd", here are several ways to be praying for them and Pastor Terry as he oversees them:

• That they would hear from the Lord
• That they would walk with Him faithfully
• That they would minister to the Body with His strength

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. Colossians 2:28-29

Praise God for the shepherds he has given to proclaim Him!

Pour out your Heart

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him; for God is our refuge.

Psalm 62:8

Prayer For the Body. . .

Inez - for safety and health in her pregnancy
A family - who has relative that has recently died
Vernadel - continued recovery in her health . . . praise that she is doing much better!
A lady - who is still struggling with mid-affects of Alzheimer's
Several members - with health issues that are being examined
A family - who would like prayer for wisdom and strength with their children

diaconos (Greek) = servant, minister, deacon

As God's grace is poured out through the Deacons at the Fellowship, they very much will be blessed to know that prayers from the Body being are poured out for them. Mike Masonic oversees this ministry team and has suggested several ways to remember them in prayer.

Here are some prayer needs to remember:

• For the Lord's strength and wisdom as they lead the various ministries
• That they would be refreshed and renewed by the Lord and what He is doing after this holiday season
• That their eyes and ears would be open for the Lord's will

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. . .

If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11