Wednesday Devotion and Prayer Prompts

"If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?" (David Livingstone) 

You're probably familiar with William Carey, known by many as the Father of the Modern Missionary Movement. Carey, after being called to missionary work in India, became part of the Serampore Trio-­joined by Joshua Marshman and William Ward. Together they preached, translated Scripture, began a school, and loved the Indian people with the Gospel.

Three times a year (January, May and October) they would gather together and read out loud what was known as the Serampore Compact of 1805. This document is amazing, and well worth the read. Click here and youcanreaditinitsentirety. 

A few highlights:

1. "It is absolutely necessary that we set an infinite value on immortal souls." Is that how I feel about people? The man at the auto shop who works on my car? Our pediatrician? The driver in the car that cuts me off on the way to work? The one who hurts me deeply with false accusations? 

2. "It becomes us to watch all opportunities of doing good." Is that how I live my life? Am I constantly looking for and aware of opportunities to love and to serve other people and to point them to Christ?

3. "Let us give ourselves up unreservedly to this glorious cause. Let us never think that our time, our gifts, our strength, our families, or even the clothes we wear, are our own." Have I given myself unreservedly for Jesus to use? Am I only willing to serve and love when it is convenient or when it is not difficult to do so? Do I recognize that everything in my life is a gift from the Great Giver of all Good Things? Definitely check out the compact when you get a minute! 

WEDNESDAY PRAYER PROMPTS: 

1. Pray for our preschoolers and elementary students on Sunday mornings. Pray for their protection and that the Word of God would begin to take root in their young hearts and that they would fall passionately in love with Jesus.

2. Pray for our preschool and elementary teachers and leaders. Pray that God encourages them in their ministry to the children in their class and that he would give them vision and passion as they teach the Bible each week.

3. Pray for our Children's Ministry as AWANA begins on August 28. Pray for our AWANA leaders-­that God would multiply their time each week--and pray for our children involved in AWANA-­-that they would treasure God's Word and that each Wednesday night would be encouraging to them in their walks with Jesus. Pray that AWANA would become a vibrant evangelistic ministry in our church!

4. Pray for wisdom as we begin planning for next summer's VBS-­-June 22-­‐27. Pray that God would bring many unchurched families to our week of camp and that He would use that week to do some mighty and marvelous things that only He can do!

5. Pray for BOOM! on Sunday mornings! Thank God for our BOOM! leaders and their passion to see kids worship Jesus with everything they've got! Pray that God would continue to grow BOOM! and that it would be a place where children feel welcomed and loved!