Does Prayer Work?

We live in an increasingly “get ‘er done” world.

We do.  We achieve.  We work.  We plan. We check things off our list.  We set goals.  We accomplish them and set bigger goals.  We run like machines.  Why?  So we can be in control, so we can rule – whatever there is for us to rule – our lives, families, businesses, parties, churches, nations.

And we believe we can do it.  We can get it done.

Questions:  do we achieve more than prayer can achieve?  Do we even believe prayer can accomplish things?  When our prayers aren’t answered (if we  actually pray) do we stop believing in the power of prayer?  The honest truth is, many of us do.  And we fall into the faith that we….can accomplish more….than prayer.

Lent has begun.  We have 40 plus days until Resurrection Sunday.  Why honor Lent?  Because it is historically, traditionally about turning to God in repentance.  It is about turning to God in prayer.  Real prayer.  Prayer we believe in.

Thus, for the next 40plus days, we are engaged in a campaign we call “Utter Dependence:  Prayer & Fasting.”  We are encouraging one another to pray, and to fast.  Why?  Most of all, becausethe words of Christ are clear:  ”and He told them….they ought always pray and not lose heart” – Luke 18: 1.  

God desires us to come to Him in prayer – to open our hearts and empty ourselves where He can fill us with His Strength and His Spirit.  This occurs even when we don’t receive the answers to our prayers – or at least the answers we want.

So, we are encouraging everyone to pray, and fast.  We are challenging people to pray 30 minutes a day.  Not because you have to, but because we hope you will draw closer to God.  We are challenging people to fast a day a week.  Not because you have to, but because you will become more dependent on Christ.  

We also want to hear about how you are praying and fasting, or any testimonies you may have from your prayers.  You can text the time you’ve spent praying, fasting, and testimonies to Bellwether’s number of:  601.896.3200.  

We hope you can be with us for worship each Sunday over Lent as we proclaim God’s Word about prayer and fasting.  This Sunday the message will be:  ”Why Pray” and the Scripture focus is Ephesians 1: 3-6, Matthew 11: 28-30, and Luke 18: 1-8.  

Most of all, in Lent, our prayer – is that you know Jesus in a greater, deeper way, and that He totally overwhelms your life, your family, your church, and your world.  He can, and will, through prayer.   

Ash Wednesday

We hope you can be with us for worship & communion this Wednesday at 6:30pm at Bellwether’s Fondren Space.

This is our traditional Ash Wednesday service, marking the beginning of Lent – the 40 days leading up to Easter.  Again, it will open this special time of year with worship, communion, and a message of:  ”The Marks of the Cross.”

It will also lead into the launch of our Lenten campaign on Sunday Feb 26th of:  Utter Dependence, Prayer and Fasting.  Over the next 40 days in Lent we will be preaching, studying, and living out prayer & fasting at Bellwether.  This week, we hope you will commit to go to God more in prayer over Lent (we are challenging people to pray 30 minutes a day – not necessarily all at once), and even consider fasting one day a week.

Why are we doing this?  Simple.  To be utterly dependent on God.  And it begins with prayer.  We want to empty ourselves and let Christ fill our lives, our families, our church, and our world.  This is possible.  Yet it’s only possible when we come to Him in humble, utter dependence.

We hope to see you Wed night at 6:30pm to begin this time.  We are asking all B Groups to join us for this service so we can be united as a church body and move forward over the next 40 days in utter dependence on God.  

Looking forward to all Lent will bring us and we hope to see you Wednesday evening.

The Hope of the World

In your world, what is your hope?

Is it your career?  Your country?  Your family?  Your spouse?  Your children?  Yourself?  Do what hope do you - we - hang our hats?  

Many times, I've said and believed:  "the local church is the hope of the world."  That phrase is not new.  It was actually stated in a sermon by Charles Spurgeon in the late 19th century in London.  Bill Hybels, pastor of Willow Creek Church outside Chicago, says it often in his sermons and leadership talks.  Many pastors believe it and recite it now.  

 I love the saying, yet I would offer a slight tweak to it at this point in ministry and my Christian walk.  It would be this:  "The Gospel of Jesus Christ, through the local church, is the hope of the world."

Without Jesus, there is no church.  Without His Gospel:  of God's love for us in Christ, His death and resurrection, forgiving us of our sin and living with God by the Holy Spirit - no church can offer hope.  With this Gospel, individual lives, families, marriages, nations and the world can - and ultimately will with His Return - change.  

We have been talking the last few weeks of "What is Bellwether?"  We have seen the church is both Jesus (His Body) and His Church (His Bride).  We will be closing this series tomorrow with Part 4 - "Give & Go."  More so, we will proclaim and see how:   The Gospel of Jesus Christ, through the local church, is the hope of the world.  That means it is hope for YOU individually.  We hope you will believe it.

Have a great day, and we look forward to seeing you at His Church. 

Our Scripture reading will be in Acts 2, 2 Corinthians 8-9, and 1 Corinthians 9