The Importance of Prayer
Presented at the worship service on August 9, 2009
Prayer feels like a conversation with God – does it not?
Prayer is a time when we bring our fears, our concerns, our needs, our thankfulness to the One who gave us life and to the One who is with us through every step of that life. It costs nothing to pray and prayer can be offered anywhere, any time or any place. Prayer doesn't always mean bowed head, eyes closed, – hands together – it can be a thought, a quiet moment, a time of reflection when we are aware of the presence of God and our conversation with God.
During the next four weeks leading up to Commitment Sunday, the Prayer Committee is offering many ways to be involved with our focus on prayer. The week of August 16th, a letter from Pastor Butch and a prayer card will be sent to all members. Place this card where you can see it every day – on the kitchen table, the bedroom nightstand, the bathroom mirror, hang it from the car rear view mirror or consider putting it on your desk at work for all to see – maybe they would like to pray with us, too.
On the Sundays of August 30th, September 6th, 13th, and 20th, we will offer a short prayer focus moment during worship. These moments will define our focus for the particular week ahead. During these moments, we will lift up our church history as we pray with the saints. There will be a focus on listening for God's guidance, a focus about Zwingli's ministry, and finally on the 20th, a focus on hope for such a time as this. A 24-hour prayer vigil is being planned for late September, as well as an outdoor prayer service.
It has been said that a church
is only as strong as the individual prayer lives of its members. How true!
Look at what we've come through to be
standing at this point in our history. The individual prayer lives of our
members are amazing – are they not? Let us find new opportunities and focus for
prayer in the days ahead. We are the strong and faithful members of Zwingli
United Church of Christ – the Lord's faithful people who, through prayer, are
moving toward the future as we build to serve, create new memories, and above
all else, grow for God.
Thoughts offered by the Capital Campaign Prayer Committee:
Lee & Lois Hunsicker,
co–chairs; Ann Marie Gribosh, Trisha Kracht, Betty Ludwig, and Sue Wack.
Cookies & Soup!! 
updated 1/30/2012