is the church afraid?

Dear Church:

We need not fear what we are called to

For when we receive an anointing for a call

the Spirit of the Lord falls mightily upon us from that day forward.

speaking of Saul as a potential King of Israel:

“Do not look on his appearance…because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

then Jesse brought David to Samuel…

The Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward.

from I Samuel 16

---

A Prayer for the Church

Dear Lord ~

Whatever your followers are called to—

Enable us to anticipate with great faith & hope

For You provide the power needed to live out our mission

Just as you came upon the early Church

Your power descended & empowered them

To face persecution & death

Free Your Church of today from the grip of fear

Free us by the transformative power of your healing love

And as we see your glory & experience the freedom of your Truth

Let a holy hunger for more of you rise up within us

And fan the spark to a raging fire

That ignites & consumes &

propels Your Church

To proclaim who you really are

For the sake of all whom you call your precious children

Let Your love do such wondrous work in each of us

That we glow with Your fiery beauty

And radiate Your consuming love.

Amen.