Prayer Matters for September and October

Prayer Matters
a publication of the Prayer Ministry of Riverchase United Methodist Church
Matters about prayer because prayer matters
September / October 2007

Purpose: to claim and sustain Riverchase United Methodist Church as a "house of prayer for all people" (Isaiah 56:7) and to encourage one another in prayer


September Scripture Focus: Psalm 91: 9&11
“If you make the Most High your dwelling . . . He will command
His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways”


September Prayer Focus: Hedge Prayer

What is Hedge Prayer? In Biblical times a hedge was a border of thorny bushes around a garden or vineyard to protect it from outside invaders. The concept of the Lord placing a hedge of protection around His people is mentioned many times in the Bible.
Job 1:10 references God’s hedge of protection around Job, and
Ezekial 22:30 speaks of God’s desire for someone to intercede for (pray a hedge around) Israel.
So Hedge Prayer is a way to ask God to bless a place or person and to protect it from harm.

Did you know Riverchase UMC has had a Hedge Prayer ministry for nearly 10 years? Each Sunday morning a group of church members walk the campus and pray in every room of the church. They pray that God’s presence will be felt in each place and that God will protect each place from anything that would hinder sharing the gospel and experiencing God’s love.

The Hedge Prayer Ministry is open to anyone!
All are welcome to come one Sunday morning to the sanctuary at 7:00 and participate in this important prayer ministry.
For more information, contact Harris Wheeler at 988-5434.


Bless this Home
Something very similar to Hedge prayer is a Home Blessing. The idea of blessing a home is mentioned in Leviticus 27:14 as well as 2 Samuel 7:29. A wonderful way to dedicate the house (or apartment or dorm room!) to God is by offering a simple but meaningful blessing. Family and friends can participate as well. Moving into a new home is a perfect time to offer a Home Blessing although a Home Blessing can be done at any time.
To begin the Home Blessing, a prayer of thanksgiving can be given and perhaps an appropriate scripture, such as Psalm 127 or 128 could be read. Next, one would walk through the rooms of the house offering prayers of blessing to God. Something as simple as praying, “I pray God’s protection over this room. Bless the activities of this room and the people in it,” could be said in each room. Then you could also offer a prayer asking God to bless each household member by name.

A Sample Prayer Which Can Be Used as a Home Blessing
"Our Father in heaven, we thank You for Your kindness and goodness to ______(or the ______________ Family). Your grace had been evident to all the members of this household.
Now, in the Name of Jesus, please bless Your chosen servant and priest of this household. Grant him a heart that fears You. Help him to walk in Your ways and lead his family to do the same. Grant him health, strength and wisdom to walk before You in sincerity, truth and humility. Bless the labor of his hands so that he will make honest gains and provide abundantly for his household. May there always be food on the table, clothes on their backs, and a roof over them by night. Teach them to live in simplicity and contentment. May they always have enough and be willing to share with all who come to them in need. Grant them the grace to exercise the gift of hospitality.
"Father, we pray that You will rebuke Satan and the powers of darkness. Let them return to where they originated. Bind Satan and his demons. Put a hedge around this family and protect them from all the forces of evil, keeping them from the wiles and attacks of the enemy.
"Bless this home with Your love and peace. Fill these rooms with Your joy and laughter. Let these be great halls of learning of Your truth and grace. Let Your glory shine through these windows to the neighbors. May their kind words and consideration for others draw many into Your kingdom. Bless _______________________ [name the members of the family] with length of days and years till the setting of the sun. May all glory and honor go to you, Father. In the precious name of Jesus we ask these things and give thanks for your protection. Amen."

Praise Worthy
Our Lord is definitely worthy of our praise and so often we fail to praise Him or fail to praise Him enough. Today let's praise Him for His Divine Protection. Isaiah 43:2-3 reminds us of this protection:

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior”
Prayer Team Meeting:
A meeting of the RUMC prayer team is scheduled for Sunday, September 30th at 3:30pm in Room 11. Anyone who has a passion for prayer, an interest in learning more about the prayer team, or feels led by God to join the prayer team is welcome to attend. We’ll be discussing ongoing prayer ministries and new and upcoming prayer events.

God Answers
We ask many things of God through prayer, and He faithfully answers our prayers. If you have an answered prayer to share, please submit it to Sandyshock@aol.com. Sometimes seeing how God has answered the prayers of others gives us confidence and encouragement in our prayers.
Here are some of the prayers God has answered recently
v A baby was born prematurely to members of our church. She weighed only 14 oz at birth and is now up to 1 pound 14 oz. She is still in need of our prayers but seems eager to live. Praise God!
v Last weekend one of our pastors was officiating a wedding in Georgia. It began to rain and storm in the afternoon. Our pastor offered up a simple prayer telling God the rain was needed but since this was a special occasion, could He possibly give a 30 minute window in which to perform the service on the lawn. Sure enough at the scheduled time of the ceremony, the rain stopped long enough for the wedding to take place.
v A couple was looking to leave their home of 23 years for a new place to live. First a job was needed in a new area. Prayers were offered up, and a job was found in a new town. Next, prayers were offered for selling the couple’s house and finding a new one. Their house sold and they found a new one in their new town in two days, and moving expenses have been covered as well. God is good, even when things feel too big for us!
v Isaiahsixeight is an organization founded by Riverchase members to be involved in ministering to the poorest in Jamaica. They have prayerfully been asking God where they should be working and who they should be helping there. In July of this year, they went to Jamaica with a team of 20 and worked at a boys’ home in Macheoneal. God blessed the trip, and they prayerfully began asking God for a permanent “mission base” from which to bring future trips to Jamaica. A home made itself available and is everything they could possibly want in a base of operations!
Pray-Up Events
Would you like to pray for our church but don’t know where to begin? Here are some things to include in your prayers.
· September 7-8: Staff Retreat
· September 9: Reception for Jonathan Dills (HS youth minister) & New Members
§ New Member classes begin
· September 14: Parents’ Night Out
· September 16: United Methodist Women’s Sunday
· September 20-22: TNT Consignment Sale
· September 21: RUMC to sponsor Game Day at Spain High School football game
· September 23: New Member classes conclude
· September 28-29: AARP Safe Driving Classes at RUMC
· September 30: Dr. Jim Savage’s 50th Birthday!
§ Prayer Team Meeting at 3:30pm (Room 11)

· October 6: Great Day of Service
· October 7: RUMC Blood Drive
· October 9: UMW General Meeting
· October 14: Celebration Winds in concert at RUMC
· October 23: UMW District Meeting at RUMC
· October 28: RUMC Fall Festival
· November 2-17: Paul’s Journey with Bishop Willimon and 13 from RUMC to Italy and Greece
· November 4: Youth Auction
· November 11: Veteran’s Day