Prayer Points

Prayer Points – Baja Mexico Team 2010

Just to keep everyone in the loop. I'll be going to Baja Mexico with a team of 10 students for two weeks starting July 11th. We'll be working with LeaderTreks which means it will be much more than just a mission trip. Here are some ways you can follow us in our journey and support us through prayer.

1 Peter 4:11. "If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."

Daily Prayers

            Pray for:

·         Vulnerability between team members and unity for the team as a whole.

·         Wisdom for all members.

·         A willingness to take risks.

·         Spiritual growth.

·         A lasting impact to be left on ourselves and others.

Sunday July 11^th

·         Pray for protection and safe travel for the group as we fly into Mexico and then drive to our site in La Paz.

·         Team – Pray for the food team, led by Steven. This is our grocery shopping day and it is very critical we purchase all the necessary supplies. Pray for discernment and wisdom over this process.

Monday July 12^th

·         Pray for a quick adjustment into our new surroundings and a strong first day on the worksite. Also pray that as we promote the VBS on this day that as many children as possible are able to attend.

·         Team- Pray for the work team, led by Allie D and Alex. Pray for boldness and confidence as they pioneer the first day on the work site. The team needs this strong leadership to follow.

Tuesday July 13^th

·         Pray for team unity and vulnerability among all members. Let all walls preventing communication be removed starting with team time and continuing into all aspects of the day. Pray that we become fully united.

·         Team- Pray for the ministry, led by Bennett and Lauren. Tuesday is the first day of VBS so please pray for flexibility and patience as they direct the team and minister to the local children.

Wednesday July 14^th

·         Pray that the team would settle into a rhythm that is effective. This requires precise time management and coordination. Pray our schedule flows seamlessly.

·         Team- Pray for the adult leaders, Ash and Abby. Pray that God would continue to show them the specific roles dynamics they play into the team life. Ask for wisdom and guidance as they help the team continue in the right direction.

Thursday July 15^th

·         Pray that as a team we would press on towards specific goals and continue to take risks as we move forward on the worksite and at the VBS.

·         Team- Pray for the worship team led by Nathan. Pray that he would be able to encourage and energize the team by bringing a contagious worshipful spirit everywhere he goes.

Friday July 16^th

·         Pray that the team is able to finish strong in all areas. Also pray for joyful spirits and encouraged souls that will be confident and satisfied in the work we accomplish.

·         Team- Pray for the cleaning/water team led by Allie R and Ryan. Pray that they enable the team by promoting a “leave it better than you found it” lifestyle in all aspects of the day.

Saturday and Sunday July 17^th-18^th

·         Pray for a refreshing and relaxing weekend so that the team will be restored and ready for the challenging kayaking week ahead of them.

·         Pray for intentional relationships and intentional conversations so that the team would continue to grow closer to each other relationally.

·         Pray for the student leaders, Matt and Steph. Pray that they specifically would be emotionally and mentally refreshed. Pray that they would be able to effectively lead the team through this transition and into the week ahead of them.

Monday – Thursday July 19^th-22^nd

·         Pray that the team would rely on God’s strength and develop perseverance and endurance in the strenuous wilderness conditions.

·         Pray that the team would individually be more in step with the Spirit and willing to embrace new growth and change.

Friday July 23^rd

·         Pray for safe travel on the way home.

·         Pray that the team would continue to impact everyone around them for Christ. Pray that the missional lifestyle continues on even as the trip draws to an end.

Dear Prayer Warriors

THIS PAST TWO WEEKS HAS been pretty crazy. I had Collide JR/SR retreat (which was incredible. So glad I got to know Jonathan Bailey and just hang out with my brothers and sisters).  Then I became a certified diver (three days of diving for that in Dallas). I got back, did a full day at church on Sunday and then had Cinco Seis all week. (thats our Fifth to Sixth grade VBS-style week. I was the rec leader. Everyone loves the rec leader. It was sweet. I even got a ref jersey to complete the epicness). Even before that was done I left for yet another retreat with my freshman buddies. Swam, saw Toy Story 3, had some good conversations, did a whole mess of intense work at Surfside on our service project for Adrian, got lost on the way home, ate pizza directly before playing dodgeball, got home. Sunday did some mission trip work, lots of church, Toy Story 3 with the family (yes I've already seen it twice), and now I'm about to pass out.

The common denominator missing from that entire previous paragraph is rest. I'm uber lacking in that department which leads me to two more serious issues. Temptations are harder to fight when you're weary, and I've been having some hard days of late where victories are hard to come by more often than I'd like. Also my focus is waning. My mind should always be fixed on the things above, but earthly concerns have begun to affect me more and more. The good is that God has been at work in my life! He's shown me so much more about who I am becoming and my obligations to my friends around me. I've been diligent in keeping with reading the Word and I'm trekking through it again right now, hoping to finish up the minor prophets before the mission trip.

This is where you come in. If you're a prayer warrior and you just have a particular passion for this form of worship I ask this: put me in your daily prayers. I need strength and focus. Let the Spirit direct you in the rest of my needs else feel free to ask me. If you are the kind of guy or gal like me that forgets often to pray for people then do this: pray right now. Like stop reading this, shoot up a thirty second request, and be on your way. God hears all prayers and He loves to answer the call of His children.

God has so much good in store for me this summer, this support will go a long way. I don't mean to sound needy, but I know that I can count on ya'll to have my back. If you've ever appreciate anything I've had to write here, feel free to consider this a return investment for any wisdom you have received.

I love you guys,
Thanks and God be with you.
-matt

Prayer Request and Scripture

The following three passages of scripture God has revealed as highly important in my life for the foreseeable future. Pray these verses over me and with me this next season of my life

Philippians 4:11-13

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

Ephesians 3:14-21

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

Romans 12:1

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship."

-matt

thanks in advance for all of the support. to God be the glory!

Prayer Points for Costa Rica!

As you may or may not know I'm going to be gone with my team from July 5-17 to Costa Rica and this is just some prayer points for our trip. We're going to be running a VBS the first week (mon-fri) as well as working on our work project for both weeks. We're going to be helping the community build a road which they have already started work on, I'm so excited! Over the weekend we'll be taking a short trip to some hot springs to relax and re-energize ourselves so please make sure to pray that we refocus ourselves heading into our last week. This trip is going to be great and I'm confident we won't return the same team.

Day 1

Sunday July 5

• Pray for safe travel, pray that the team and the luggage both arrive in Costa Rica alive and well. Also that the team would be able to adapt to the new surroundings.
• Team: Pray for the student leaders, Matt and Sarah, that they would have wisdom and be able to keep the team organized and focused by maintaining a daily schedule and keeping the team on track.

Day 2

Monday July 6

• Pray for a good assimilation into our new surroundings, that we would be ready and willing to do God’s work both on the worksite and at VBS.

• Team: Pray for the ministry team, Nathan and Bree, as the first day of VBS starts today. Pray for wisdom as they direct the team and also for a successful turnout.

Day 3

Tuesday July 7

• Team: Pray for the work team, Jake and Rachel, that they will take what they learned from the first day on the worksite on Monday and apply it so that the team will have a productive day on site.

Day 4

Wednesday July 8

• Team: Pray for the food team, Allie and Teri, that they will be able to adapt to obstacles they face that are unexpected and that the team will be well nourished.

Day 5

Thursday July 9

• Pray for an extra push of effort for the team both on the worksite and at VBS, pray that they don’t get discouraged or tired and that they would call on Christ for their strength.
• Team: Pray for the worship team, Matt, as the weekend nears that he would be instrumental in keeping the team focused on the Lord with all the other distractions they come in contact with each day.

Day 6

Friday July 10

• Team: Pray for the LeaderTreks staff Renee, Kevin, and Jeremy; that they would keep the team driven and help develop each student into a better leader.

Day 7

Saturday July 11

• Pray for safe travel on the weekend, that the team would be refreshed and ready to gear up for another week.
• Team: Pray for the adult leaders, Niki and Jordan, that they would continue to push the team by encouraging and challenging them to not settle for just good, but aim for great.

Day 8

Sunday July 12

• Pray for the community where we are staying, Los Guidos. Pray that we would leave a positive lasting impact and demonstrate the love of Christ with our actions
• Team: Pray the Cleaning/Water team, Michael and Kristin, that they would lead the team well during the weekend clean and keep the house and living environment clean and organized. A disheveled house makes the team look disrespectful and is a dour living environment.

Day 9

Monday July 13

• Pray for the entire team, that we would be mentally focused and not linger on the weekend, an unfocused team will prevent us from accomplishing our goals on the worksite and will prevent us from becoming the great team we strive to be.
• Team: Pray for the work team, Jake and Rachel, that they would step up and delegate jobs to the team members as well as casting the vision and to remind the team of its purpose.

Day 10

Tuesday July 14

• Team: Pray for the ministry team, Nathan and Bree, that they would engage and encourage the team and continue to play an integral role after the completion of VBS.

Day 11

Wednesday July 15

• Pray that the team as whole unit will press on giving our all and not settle for just mediocrity. Pray that we would push through weariness, frustration, and other obstacles to show others God’s love in motion as this is our last day on the worksite.
• Team: Pray for the worship team, Matt, that he would keep bring the team before the throne of Christ in worship, that the focus would be kept on God rather than ourselves. That any wounds would be healed and we would draw nearer to each other as we chase after God.

Day 12

Thursday July 16

• Pray for the team as a unit, that it would be finish strong by possibly getting more real with God than they ever have before, making this trip life-changing on themselves and the other members of the team.
• Team: Pray for the student leaders, Matt and Sarah, that they would be able to do everything in there power to push the team into a deeper relationship with Christ.

Day 13

Friday July 17

• Pray for safe travel home, and that we would continue to show Christ’s love through our interactions with others. Pray that this trip would not be a temporary “high” but that each team member will come home changed, and willing to continue his/her pursuit of Christ on a deeper level.
• Team: Pray for the adult leaders, that they would keep the team in order as we return home.

-matt