Dear all,

Before I give my request, I should give you a little background. I have attended a methodist church in London, England for the last 8 years or so, and it is a church that is in many ways spiritually dead/asleep. I myself was saved and "woken up" about three years ago, and was tempted at the time to change churches. But something in my heart at the time felt that I needed to stay at my current church.

I have been praying for my church for the last 3 years, and although there have been some hopeful signs, the honest truth is that people for an hour on a Sunday, and for the most part that is it. The church prayer meeting this week was attended by my mother and I only.

However, about 8 months ago, God put it on my heart to train as a local preacher. I am now quite far into the course, and have my "trial service" at my church this Sunday. The text is Mark 8:31-38, and particularly on my heart is the whole section on “If you seek to save your life…”. I feel in my heart that God really wants to use this service, and so I come here to ask for your prayers and guidance.

I very much need prayer, as I am hardly a preaching expert, and I know it will be so easy for me to distort the message either from ignorance or fear. I also do not want to fall into the trap of pride, or of being unloving. Please pray also for my church as a whole, they are in such a spiritual sleepy place, there’s very little focus on the Bible or prayer. I really want to see the church as a place of life, a place of worship in spirit and truth to God, a place of healing, a place where men and women are equipped to share the gospel, a place where Jesus is glorified! And I know God can do it!

Please pray, and if God places anything on your heart regarding the service or my church as a whole, please do share it

Thank you all very much

Your brother in Christ,

Stephen

Hi stephenpeter,

I will pray before I get in touch with my thoughts.

The Methodist structure and doctrine is basically sound and there is great freedom being exercised across this country (England) , where those leading services are willing to be led by the Spirit. I'm sure the Lord will use you to touch hearts. There is as much discipline in what you don't say, as in what you say, sometimes.

Hi brother Stephen, would be an honor to pray.

Will definitely pray that you'll see God equip and confirm His call on your life and increase your confidence in Him.

Lord Bless you.

Annie

Brother, what a joy to hear how God is working in and through you. I will be praying here.

In Christ,

Ron

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Ron Halverson

Hi bro stephen,

The thing that came to me when I read your initial post, is to make use of the words of the hymns which are being sung during that service.

It is simple thing to do, but, it packs a punch, especially if you can find something to hang a thought on from the hymn they will sing [i]after[/i] you have spoken. What you say does not need to be complicated. You might just read out the same line two or three times, if it is the one which most assists the Holy Spirit's work.

Or, you may be able to use words from the hymns before you speak. One of the advantages of this, is you are endorsing another person's testimony. Their understanding has been carried over centuries, by the church, to our generation. That in itself is powerful and to some extent takes some pressure off you to have all the answers. Seek the Lord.

I'm offering this as an idea which came to me as I was reading your post. Let the Lord confirm it to you, before you decide to use it.

Not that you don't have a message, but I know you will also face a spiritual backlash, personally, the more closely you preach the truth. Be prepared for this, and don't THINK about what is hitting your mind (afterwards)... by which I mean don't give it 'house' room. It is not a sin to have 'thoughts'. It can be a sin to give them a home and entertain them. Also, ignore them and set yourself to [i][b]praising the Lord[/b][/i]. Make a lot of noise, and generally blot out both the temptation and its effect(s).

May you know a very real unction from on High as you step out in faith tomorrow.

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Diane