Prayer Updates

This will be a busy week for the blog-o-sphere. We went on a three-day trip this weekend, and have to write a page for each, so it’s easy if I just put those on here, with slight modifications to keep you updated. But before that, I wanted to give you some prayer updates.
I’ll give what I asked prayer for, and then give an update.

1. That God would use this time of refreshing and renewing in the Lord. I want to spend a lot of time just alone with the Lord, reflecting on the past and looking forward to my future ministry and work.
This time has been really great. I feel really refreshed and renewed, even with the stress of school and all that goes with that. I’ve really had some sweet times with the Lord. In terms of future, I feel like God’s calling me to a city close to a college campus. Vague, but a little more definite. I want to help super-jacked up people come to know the Lord in a real, effectual way. I get psyched about that.

2. To do this, I need to be in the Word and have a much better prayer life. I limited the books I took (kinda) so I hope and pray (and work for) set time apart to be away with the Lord and meditate.
Goes along with the first. Always need continued prayer here.

3. To engage when I read the Bible and don’t just read to like a newspaper or to check it off. To spend deep time in God’s word.
This has been really helpful. I go through the Bible and write mostly prayers as I read to engage with it. Always continued prayer.

4. For my baptism on April 15- that the Spirit would move powerfully
Still active.

5. College Decisions (Gordon, Asuza, SES)
Gordon is crowned winner. I got accepted last week and feel like that’s where God’s leading.

6. I really just want to be a more Godly man. I don't care to be nicer, or kinder, or friendlier, I want to know God better and more fully. I want to drink more deeply out of His fountain of grace. I wish to grow in Godliness and pursue the Lord with my whole being.
More than anything, I need to love Him more. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up at Paul would say. I’d turn my prayer towards that.

7. With the previous prayer request, I've really been convicted of my sinfulness: cowardness, self-righteousness, and pride. I know the first one doesn't fit in with the other two, but that's how sin works I suppose. I want to be bold and powerful and not simply appeasing like is my default response.
I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to be a leader of God’s people. That’s a huge task and I’m seeing more and more of my “unfit-ness” for it. I care way too much about what other people think of me. That’s why I don’t seem approachable at first, why I don’t share the Gospel, why I don’t do a lot of things I should. I need prayer for a holy boldness and courage and strength that stems from God. I need to die to self.

So as an update and summary, my prayer requests:
1. Meaningful time with the Lord refreshing and being washed with His Spirit. Loving Him more, and thus loving others.
2. A Spirit of meekness and approachability. To die to self and be filled with the Spirit. Pride has a lot of work in this. Being a Godly Leader.
3. Continue to make prayer a priority.
4. Baptism on April 15th. Spirit would move like He did in Acts 19.
5. Praise for God’s work thus far.
6. I’m a very judgmental person. Prayer for this. Has a lot to do with #2 and my view of my own sin and pride.
7. That I’ll live the Beatitudes (Matthew 5) and be a certain kind of person before I do certain actions. Growing up into a Godly man.

I miss you guys. Thanks for praying. Posts will be Thursday, Saturday, Monday, then back on schedule. Hope to hear from you and interact a bit. Praying for you guys.

From a very thankful heart,
Sos