One of my favorite parts of God’s word is Isaiah 44, especially the first five verses:
“This is what the Lord says – he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams. One will say, ‘I belong to the Lord’; another will call himself by the name of Jacob; still another will write on his hand, ‘The Lord’s,’ and will take the name of Israel.”
I used to walk through campus at my university and pray this passage specifically over each of the fraternities, especially mine. I prayed that ministry would take place in each one of those communities and that God would honor His promise of blessing the spiritual future of those houses by raising up indigenous leaders in the present. Campus was a place that could easily overwhelm one with regulations, demonic stronghold, and resistance… much like urban areas.
I have found myself relying on God in KCK the exact way I did on campus, by relentless prayer. Similar to campus I walk the streets of my neighborhood and pray this same cry of Israel over the ministry of Mission House and the potential impact for the Kingdom that is attainable. I pray that God will use us to equip, motivate, and empower the people of our community to live in light of the Gospel and to be a people that is not motivated by self-gain but a people motivated by a heart that gives itself away. In turn this example will build a foundation of Jesus Christ that will be lived and taught for generations to come.
Join me in prayer…
1. I will pour out my spirit on your offspring. (Isaiah 44:3)
One of the greatest joys of ministry is the fact that we get to build relationships with new people because God built a relationship with us through Jesus. The best part about building new relationships is that God shows up through us in the lives of others.
Pray for lasting relationships.
2. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. (Matthew 9:37)
The key component of Mission House each year is a good group of interns committed to surrendering to the direction of Jesus Christ and allowing their hearts to be broken for the people and circumstances of our community.
Pray for our core interns.
3. Do not be anxious about anything. (Philippians 4:6)
It has become easy to get overwhelmed with the details and pressures of starting a new ministry. Jesus directs us to trust the plan and lay our burdens on Him. Pray for the ability to trust.
4. Give and it will be given to you. (Luke 6:38)
As we establish Mission House and begin to bless and be a part of our new neighborhood, we are dependent on outside individuals, families, churches, and organizations to bless us with financial stability. I am quickly realizing that ministry is a collaboration of resources, which is exciting because we get to be a part of God’s work together.
Pray for financial stability.
5. Let my words be few (Ecclesiastes 5:2)
As we begin to unfold and unpack more of the vision that God has for Mission House let us not over think and overreact to His calling. Help us stay true to God’s plan and be open to his direction, even if it changes our vision.
Pray for wisdom.
Mission House
PO Box 172365
Kansas City, Kansas 66117
facebook.com/missionhouse
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