Prayer

Pray 4 Every Home

Pray 4 Every Home

Sean Vickers

 

The amount of prayer a church dedicates to it’s community is directly related to the effectiveness of that church to extend the Kingdom of God into that community.

#1 GOD KNOWS WHERE YOU ARE! 1 Peter 2:10-12 (NIV)

#2 DON’T JUST SURVIVE – THRIVE! Jeremiah 29:5 (NIV)

#3 THINK ABOUT FUTURE GENERATIONS Jeremiah 29:6 (NIV)

#4 PRAY FOR YOUR CITY Jeremiah 29:7 (NIV)

www.pray4everyhome.com

www.fbcdalhart.org/prayer

#5 TRUST GOD’S PLAND AND PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Faith and Farming

Faith and Farming

Sean Vickers

In Dalhart, Texas, we are surrounded by thousands of acres of farmland. Some of these farms have great crops, while others fail. Two of the deciding factors in a successful farm are the condition of the soil and the amount of moisture.

We have a highly trained group of people called agronomists who help our farmers have great crops. Monitoring crops and helping make important agricultural decisions, this hard working group helps farmers produce fruitful and profitable crops. Sometimes, the agronomists’ advice is the difference of having a high yielding crop or loosing the crop altogether.

In the New Testament book of Luke, Jesus taught His followers a lesson about faith by using the parable of the soils. In Luke 8, He depicts four types of soil. Jesus describes three soils that each produced no crop and one soil that generated a great harvest. In this parable, Jesus is the sower, the Word of God is the seed, and the soil represents the condition of the heart. Will you allow Jesus to evaluate your heart and be your agronomist?

The first soil Jesus describes in Luke 8 is hard soil. He said, “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up.” Luke 8:5 (NIV) Common back in Jesus’ day, there were paths between fields that were repeatedly walked on and packed down. When the seed landed in these hard places, it was unable to take root resulting in becoming bird food. This soil represents someone who hears the Word of God and immediately allows the adversary the devil to snatch the seed away. This happens when the devil reminds you of your past and tries to convince you that you are unworthy of God’s love. He also reminds you of a hurtful church experience when someone said something uncaring or when a church missed an opportunity to minister to you or your family. As a pastor, let me apologize for your hurtful experience and plead with you to ignore the devil’s reminders. He is wrong about you. God loves you and has a plan for your life. You can trade the lies for the love of God.

The second soil is shallow soil. “Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture.” Luke 8:6 (NIV) In the panhandle of Texas, we know all about lack of moisture. Shallow soil describes the person that hears the Word of God and begins to respond, but when his faith is tested falls way. Why?  There is no root. For one to avoid the shallow heart, trusting God with the details of life is essential. When fear and worry replace faith, the heart will be shallow. Is there something blocking the work of God in your heart that you need to trust Him for? He is willing to replace fear and worry with peace and confidence. All you have to do is trust God and place your faith in Him through everything.

The third soil Jesus depicts is crowded soil. “Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.” Luke 8:7 (NIV) Weeds in our life hinder the harvest. We live in a culture full of distractions. We crowd our hearts with the the things we see and hear. The books we read, movies and TV we watch, websites we go to on the internet, and the music we listen to influences the condition of our heart.  Whatever you allow into your heart through your eyes and ears effects the state of your heart to the work of God’s Word. If your heart is crowded and full of weeds today, God is willing to cultivate your heart to produce a harvest, if you will let Him.

The last soil Jesus used to describe the condition of the heart was good soil that produced a great crop. “Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” Luke 8:8 (NIV) There is nothing better for a farmer than when the great harvest comes up, and all the work has been worth while. To produce a fruitful harvest in your life, you must soften your heart to the Word of God and refuse to listen to lies of the devil. You also must allow God to work deep in your life beyond the fears and worries of this world. Weed out anything that would choke out the work of God in your life.

As spring approaches and farmers prepare to plant their crops, let’s pray for a bountiful harvest. Likewise, as Jesus plants the Word of God in our lives, let’s cultivate the soil of our hearts for a great harvest of spiritual fruit.

This article originally appeared in the Dalhart Texan and was written by Sean Vickers.

Sanctuary Prayer

Sanctuary Prayer

Sean Vickers

SanctuaryPrayer

We are committed to prayer at First Baptist Dalhart. Part of that commitment is our invitation for people to come and pray in our Sanctuary during the week. Below is a Prayer Guide for you to use as you pray. Consider using it as you prayer in the Sanctuary of your church.

First, you will notice our beautiful stained glass that displays the Cross.

Begin your prayer time by thanking your Heavenly Father for your salvation that was made possible of the sacrificial death of Jesus and His resurrection. He is the reason we have peace, hope and eternal life.

And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words! 2 Corinthians 9:14-15 (NLT)

You will notice the American Flag.

Let the flag remind you to pray for our country. The United States of America has strained far from the strong biblical foundation it was founded on. Pray that our country would return to God and that revival fires would once again sweep across our nation.

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godlinessand holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)

You will notice the Christian Flag.

Let the Christian flag remind you to pray for the Bride of Christ, the Church. Pray for churches in our community, the state of Texas, the United States of America and the World. Pray that the Church would be about the Kingdom and Glory of God.

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgivetheir sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

Pray for First Baptist Dalhart. As we strive to worship our great God, grow closer to Jesus Christ, serve God by serving others, and share the Good News about Jesus with others through the power of the Holy Spirit.

You will notice musical instruments.

Pray that First Baptist Church will be a place of authentic worship where God is honored and lifted high. Pray that the focus will be on God, not on individual desires or preferences. Pray for our Music Ministry to be led by the Holy Spirit as they lead us into the presence of God.

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. Colossians 3:16 (NLT)

You will notice that you are surrounded by pews.

Pray for the people who will sit in there pews for worship. Pray that they will be transformed by their time in God’s sanctuary. Pray that God would fill the empty seats with worshippers and that they would feel welcomed and become part of the family of God known at First Baptist Church Dalhart.

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24 (NIV)

You will notice the pulpit area.

Pray for your Pastor and church staff. Pray that they would be filled with the Spirit of God as they lead. Pray that God would protect them from temptation and discouragement. As the Word of God is preached, taught, sang, and applied that if would transform our church into a place where God is honored and lifted up.

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. Hebrews 13:17-18 (NIV)

And I, when I am lifted up[a] from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:32 (NIV)

Then finally, you will notice the altar.

This is the place of commitment. Pray that the altar will be filled with people committing their lives to Christ. Pray that it would be a place where people lay down their burdens and place their faith in Jesus to meet their needs according to His riches in Glory.

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, Acts 3:19 (NIV)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11: 28-30 (NIV)