August 2026 | Covering Our Community in Prayer

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.” Colossians 1:9-12  

Over the past several months, those of us who have been participating with the Vision Team have been actively praying, "God, what do You long to do in and through our church?" The answer that keeps returning is surprisingly simple. It begins with prayer. Not because prayer is another committee or another program, but because prayer is how we learn to listen for God's voice, align ourselves with God's heart, and become the people God is calling us to be.

As I have gotten to know Christ First United Methodist Church, I have become increasingly convinced that God has wonderful things in store for us- not because of our own strength, but because God is faithful.

Before we decide what we should do, we first need to become a people who seek what God desires. That is the heart behind a new  initiative we are launching called Covering the Community in Prayer. Imagine a church where every street in our community is being prayed over by someone who loves Jesus. Imagine people quietly praying for their neighbors, schools, businesses, first responders, farmers, teachers, children, and those who are hurting. Imagine opening our chapel each week so that anyone can come and simply sit in God's presence. Imagine prayer walks through our neighborhoods, special services centered on healing, opportunities to learn how to pray with confidence, and countless unseen acts of faithful prayer that only God knows about. 

Prayer changes us. Prayer changes relationships. Prayer changes churches. Prayer changes communities. And in the process there is blessing, there is fruit.

Throughout the coming year, you will hear more about opportunities to become part of this movement- from committing to praying for a street or neighborhood, to participating in a prayer walk, gathering in the chapel on Mondays at 11am to pray for what’s on our hearts, for our church, and for our community, and participating in a prayer service. I also encourage us all to begin praying more intentionally each day. 

No one is expected to do everything. But everyone can do something. Our hope is that prayer will become more than something we do. Our prayer is that it becomes part of who we are. Imagine if our reputation in the community was that we are people who love boldly, who pray for one another, are furtively praying for our community, and are willing and wanting to pray for me. They genuinely care, and are living the uncommon life of Christ followers who not only talk the talk, but walk the walk! All of this because through prayer we are abiding in Christ, becoming more like Christ, and in the compassion of Christ are Covering our Community with Prayer. And as we do, we trust that God will bring hope where there is discouragement, healing where there is brokenness, and wholeness where lives have become fragmented. Please pray for this new initiative. Ask God where God might be inviting you to participate.
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Together, let us become a church known- not simply for what happens inside our building- but for faithfully lifting our entire community before God, for being people God works through to bring hope, healing, and wholeness to others.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Sherry