Blessings to you and yours! I had the privilege Wednesday morning to pray at The Oklahoma County Commissioner’s Meeting at the invitation of our own Ian Wolfe. Here’s the prayer I offered that day:

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the blessing of this new day. We praise You that your mercies are new every morning –Great is your faithfulness in our lives.
Today we stand midweek between the celebration of your Son’s birth into this world and the anticipation of a brand New Year. We thank You for the plans you have for each of us – plans to prosper us and not to harm us – plans to give us a future and a hope for You are our Blessed Hope! Thanks for each of these who serve us and the citizens of Oklahoma County with integrity and compassion. Guide them in their decision-making so You are honored and the people well served. Your thoughts are wiser and your ways are higher. May we seek You first in everything we do, so our efforts will never be in vain. Thanks for hearing and answering our prayers this day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

This is my prayer for you as well, in your area of influence. As you just read, I’m praying Scripture over you. I believe that is one of the most effective prayers to offer because we know God’s Word is always true and when we pray Scripture we’re praying according to His will.

The Apostle Paul reminds us at this time of the year especially; “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Phils. 3:12-14).

We are pilgrims in this journey. Each year has its challenges and its blessings. Our goal as Christians to walk faithfully with Jesus and grow closer to Him every day. It won’t happen without an investment on our part; but the personal and spiritual dividends are without measure. Grab a cup of coffee, tea or maybe a hot chocolate and spend some time with your Lord in this “week between.” Seek Him first as you close out 2011 and anticipate 2012. You will be blessed – I promise.

Thanks to all who participated in our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Services. Thanks to you who also came and served the Homeless on Christmas evening. We had an incredible time in The Lord’s House as we celebrated what Christmas is really ALL about –Jesus Christ! Join us this Sunday January 1 at 10:45 AM for Worship together. No Sunday school classes this this week. See you in the New Year!

Yours in Christ’s Love,

Pastor Mark

PS - GO TU!!(And the other two Oklahoma Teams as well!)