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"Pray!" We hear about praying often, and when God answers it increases our faith. Many of us have been praying for specific things. It is a joy to be in a season at Open Door where God is showing His hand of blessings, guidance, mercy, grace, and protection so readily. In September as a church, we're specifically asking God to develop spiritual maturity, and prayer is a big part of this.
I've enjoyed celebrating victories with folks across our ministries. I'll list only a few. At a time when Covid effectively closed the world down, we determined we would not "quarantine" the Gospel, and we were able to keep sharing Christ by investing in new strategies. Mrs. Sandra Gourdon has been serving at our Childcare Center for ten years caring for little ones each day. Her heart and those in our educational ministries shine brightly. An attending friend was saved this past month after a Sunday service. Hallelujah! Several in our ministry family have had to take a break to care for others or themselves due to Covid-19, and they are doing well again. God heals! Our school has added a record host of students and little ones, like little Job, who bring smiles each day as they learn about life built on God's Word. Wednesday night's first "Family Rebound" service way surpassed the expectations we had for those who came and engaged in our age-divided Bible studies. Sunday morning's services continue to grow on-site and online, bucking trends. Last Sunday evening, the cast and crew of young people and volunteers put on their Covid-postponed program rallying each of us to get our "Soul on Fire" to know and share Jesus with others. Maddie completed the "What's Next?" Bible study to guide her as she follows Christ since trusting Him as Savior. Amen! Miss Modesty Hampton is leading ODCA's volleyball team to higher levels of competitiveness with several wins this season. Geaux, Conquerors! You can see God working on campus, in our community through our ministry families, and around the world through our supported church planters and missionaries. These are all answers to our prayers!
Prayer is really a simple thing to do, and God hears and answers our prayers. There are many things on our hearts in which we are trusting God. We are assured by the Scriptures reminding us of the commands, promises, and invitations from God to come boldly before His throne to find His grace in our times of need.
Jonah, a wayward revivalist, whom I am preaching about on Sunday mornings, learned how to pray in a difficult time when he was running away from God's will. Jonah found himself in a predicament that was about as low as anyone could go. Down in the bottom of the ocean in the smelly belly of a big fish, Jonah's running caught up with him as he reached out to God. Even there, in the dark depths with seaweed wrapped around his head, God excitedly heard Jonah's cry.
God hears your prayers, too. He first listens for the prayer of salvation to know Him. He then listens to the prayers of His children seeking His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Make the time to pray today, and tomorrow, and the next day!
I'd enjoy hearing how God has answered recent prayers in your life, too (reply or message me). I am praying for you, and I look forward to celebrating what God has done, is doing, and will do!
In Christ,
Pastor Dennis M. Schaffer
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