WHAT DID WE PRAY ABOUT ON APRIL 13, 2003?

I got to help out in the pulpit at this morning's worship service at church. I thought it would be interesting to document here what we prayed about as a congregation, just to get a sense of the things that were important to us on that given day. These were the items that I prayed, on behalf of our congregation; most were suggested to me by our pastor, who had accumulated them from conversations and requests he had over the course of the past week:

* peace in Iraq, a swift resolution to all the anarchy and violence, and comfort in the sovereignty and power of God who reigns over this and all world situations

* four children in our church, who have completed confirmation class and will be confirmed at next week's Resurrection Sunday service

* Friendship Sunday, a special date we designate twice a year to invite newcomers and to treat everyone to a picnic (we prayed for this particular gathering, as well as for our congregation to always be in welcoming and inviting mode)

* the many elderly people we have in our midst, who have given our church so much faith and wisdom and perspective and service over the years

* the Caldwell family, who are leaving this Friday to the Philippines to pick up their adopted son, Gary, and bring him back to America

* the many Holy Week observations our church building will host in the next seven days

So there you have it. I must've prayed for 3-5 minutes, and then I sat down and the morning service went on. May God bring answers to these and other requests, that bless us and that bring glory to His Name.