WEEKLY OUTREACH UPDATE
This Sunday is the third week of Advent. It also happens to be the feast day of Saint Lucia, a young Christian martyr whose memory is associated with serving the poor, feeding the hungry, and visiting the persecuted. She is especially celebrated in Sweden with special food, clothing, and songs (see our Virtual Advent page for a few of the Hamlins' Saint Lucia traditions!).
So this Sunday is an especially fitting time to focus on the hungers and needs of those around us. Sometime before church on Sunday, we encourage everyone to walk and pray their own neighborhoods using the guide below.
Then immediately after the church service, we will have an informal time of sharing our experiences over Zoom (just give us a couple minutes to reconfigure the chapel tech setup!). What did you notice as you prayed? How was God speaking to you? How are you praying for your neighbors?
Below are a few guidelines for prayer walking.
Look – Pray for the gift of seeing the neighborhood through the eyes of Christ. Think about some of the issues which may be happening behind closed doors: dysfunctional families, abuse, mental struggles, lack of access to food, medicines, touch. Perhaps you see a variety of cultures, of ethnicities, different religious or people groups? As you walk through commercial areas, are there businesses which may be struggling? Closed restaurants? Where are your neighbors feeling the economic onslaught?
Bless – Pray blessing over the situations or people you notice; pray for health and protection from the virus; pray for renewed economic vigor
Feel – Enter the life of the community and pray for its brokenness. Pray for schools and students; for medical offices and for scientists; pray for the unemployed and underemployed.
Read - Take a passage of scripture with you - perhaps Isaiah 9:1-7 below? Meditate on how this passage applies to your neighbors.
Listen – Allow times of silence for God to speak.
Concluding
What did you learn about the neighborhood? What surprised you? What was hard? What was engaging?
Where was God’s presence especially apparent? Did God give you any words or bring any scripture to mind to pray over your neighbors?
Come ready to share after church on Sunday!
Guiding Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7
This is an Advent prophecy of Jesus' coming kingdom which will be for all people. You may wish to pray these words for your neighbors as you walk.
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
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