March 2024

God Hears Your Prayers…. by Judi Burson 

In a recent teaching on PRAYER, Dr. David Jeremiah reminded us that we need to KEEP asking, seeking and knocking in our prayer life. But we also need to remember that sometimes God answers our prayers in unexpected ways. At times, we think we “know” how God might answer our prayer. Yet, God has all the pieces and He knows the plan for each life. And when God answers in an unexpected way, it is always the best way, and often one we would never have imagined. Dr. Jeremiah said, “It is always too soon to quit praying!” 

It was Bernita, one of our members, that told our adult Bible Study group how she just had an ongoing conversation with her Lord as she went through each day. She made it so clear, and also so doable. God loves it when we seek to always be in His presence through an attitude of prayer. And we know, our days go much smoother once we center on God and invite Him to lead us through our day. We need to be PERSISTENT in prayer, in all things. We are God’s children. Think of how your children are persistent in asking you for something. They are not embarrassed about asking, they keep coming back, they never give up on some important things. As God’s children, we are encouraged to have that same persistence in approaching God. He does hear all our prayers. As Dr. Jeremiah put it simply… “all our PLEASE prayers, our I’M SORRY prayers, and our THANK YOU prayers!” 

I have held onto a couple of one-liners from my parents during my growing up years. Daddy was always so patient to listen to our “tales of woe” and then he would say, “Honey, Honey, Honey, You need to worry less, and PRAY MORE!” And one day, feeling frustrated and limited over a deep concern, I told Mom, “ALL I can do is pray!” At which point she reminded me, “Honey, that is the HIGHEST thing we can do… for ourselves, and for each other. We are so blessed with this gift of prayer.” 

On those days when it is hard to pray, just tell God, “I don’t feel like praying today..” Tell Him how you feel, and just keep praying. (Remember, the Book of Psalms is filled with bold, honest, heartfelt prayers!) And as the Family of God, the Body of Christ, it is good to remember that I am praying for many of you, and I also know that many of you are praying for me. How many times have we heard from each other, “I can actually feel all the prayers!” And then there are those miracle stories that come. And we are so blessed! 

Keep Asking ~ Keep Seeking ~ Keep Knocking 

Pray ~ Pray ~ Pray 

God Hears All Our Prayers 

Prayer Requests

If you have a prayer need, please share with us and we will pray for you. If you have a prayer of thanksgiving, we will rejoice with you. Contact the church at 218-546-6010 or email [email protected].

What is the Path of Hope?

by Jill Mattson

It is a special place to walk and hope and pray. It is open to anyone in our community who is seeking peace. Due to the increased rate of suicide in recent times and struggles with mental wellness, we hope this will be a place of help and hope, grounded in God’s word for our community. This path journeys around the memorial garden cross which features scripture to pause and reflect and pray. It is our hope that many in our community will find this place helpful and hopeful. All monies donated will help support this vision and mission. Thank you very much!

 

Dream Intercessors

The Dream Team intercessors pray specifically for the needs of our pastor and his family. The prayers are communicated every 2 weeks via email or printed up by the office staff for those without email. The Prayer Chain is communicated via email. The prayers are generated from the bulletin Friendship cards, email and phone calls. The PRT (Prayer Responsibility Team) assignments go out to member’s church mail boxes at the beginning of each month. Each month a different church ministry is rotated through each box. These prayers are for the at home prayer support of Immanuel’s ministries.


Prayer Shawl Ministry:

A Prayer Shawl is meant to be given to anyone (male or female, including children) who has had surgery, been diagnosed with an illness, lost a loved one or is dealing with a hardship.

Prayers are said while the shawl is being made, that recipients may feel comfort and love as they wrap themselves in it. Shawls are available in the Fellowship Hall in the far right hand corner on the cabinet shelves. Please be sure to check/sign the book saying to whom you are giving a shawl because we don’t want to duplicate.
Please let me know of anyone you believe should receive one of
these Prayer Shawls.

Thank you, and if any questions, please feel free to call or contact me at 218-546-6065 or by email
[email protected].

Marsha Larson