Shakopee Team Project

Dear Prayer Team,

Fast.  No, I am not speaking of Olympic short track speed skating or any other Olympic event for that matter, though it has been fun to watch!  I am speaking of the Biblical word, fast: a period of abstention or self-denial.  This is a key word around Renew right now.  We are in the first week of a church-wide 40 days of prayer and fasting.  The reason, to open us up individually and as a church body to what God wants to do with us, for us, through us to the greater community.  We are grateful for His leading in this matter and are eager to see where He takes us in this process.

• that God is a God of abounding love and renewing mercy!
• for all the children at Renew!

We ask you to pray with us:

• that we would minister effectively to our kids
• to find new and interesting ways to make God’s love visible in our families, our church, and our community.
• for more people from the Adventist community to be willing to support Renew.
• for clear conviction/creative energy to add ? (whatever God wants) to the worship service.
• that this time of fasting for our church will draw us together in unity and understanding of God’s will.  Please pray that God reveals Himself to each person fasting and we as a church hear his voice very clearly, and that people’s faith grows. 
• for Renew to continue to be a place where God is pleased to bring people who are seeking Him, that we continue to be a prayer-filled ministry where healing and reconciliation are continual experiences.
• for the children coming to Renew.  May they each experience a heart connection with Jesus and understand God’s love and who God is for them.  Pray for their families that God becomes or continues to be the central most influential power in their homes.

Thank you for your continued prayer and concern for this ministry.  You are welcome to join us in our 40 day fast if the Lord is calling you to make such a step.  Please contact me if you are interested.  I will send you our daily devotional guide and updates of testimonies as we go along.

I pray peace for you this week.

Kristi

⁶[Rather] is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every [enslaving] yoke?^{(B)    7}Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house–when you see the naked, that you cover him, and that you hide not yourself from [the needs of] your own flesh and blood?

    ⁸Then shall your light break forth like the morning, and your healing (your restoration and the power of a new life) shall spring forth speedily; your righteousness (your rightness, your justice, and your right relationship with God) shall go before you [conducting you to peace and prosperity], and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.  Isaiah 58 (Amplified Bible)