July 1-14, let us pray for six of our Ohio Conference congregations:
1) Oak Grove Mennonite, West Liberty, Pastor Richard (Mary) Barrett
2) Orrville Mennonite, Orrville, Pastor Bill (Allison) Seymour
3) Owl Creek Mennonite, Lucasville, Pastor Rodney (Joann) Bapst
4) Peace Mennonite, Elyria, Pastor Adam Houser
5) Pike Mennonite, Elida, Pastor Glenn (Blanche) Rader
Pray for the continued community outreach of Pike Mennonite.
Pray for the five young couples of the church as they begin to assume areas of leadership and responsibility.
6) Pine Grove Mennonite, Stryker, Pastors Gary and Sandy Stuckey
Pray that others would be drawn to Jesus as we share God’s love to them through our Clothing Giveaway and as we minister to those in an area nursing home.
Pray for Pine Grove as we consider how we can pass our faith along to the next generation within our community.
July 15-31, pray for our connections with Mennonite Church USA (MC USA) and Mennonite Mission Network (MMN):
1) Brian and Donna Miller, short-term special assignment in Mongolia from May 31, 2012, to Aug. 13, 2012. Brian and Donna are members at Martins Creek Mennonite, Millersburg.
Pray that this time of service will be meaningful and faith-building.
2) Laura Schlabach, long-term service in Mongolia. Laura is from Holmes County.
Praise God for Laura’s 18 years of service as an accountant in Mongolia. Read Laura’s story in the June 2012 issue of MMN’s magazine, Beyond Ourselves.
3) Terry Shue, Director of Leadership Development of MC USA:
Pray that the seven priorities of the Purposeful Plan continue to be engaged in our congregations, conferences and denomination.
Pray for the growth of Anabaptist Teaching Centers. May they be expressions of local congregations building a bridge between persons with gifts, wisdom and experiences, connecting with persons who want to grow in specific ways.
Pray for Ervin Stutzman, Executive Director of MC USA, and his leadership team. May our desire increase to participate in the mission of God.
August 1-18, pray for:
1) Girls’ Jamboree, at Camp Luz, Aug. 10-12
Pray for Kris Nussbaum as she shares on the topic of “Friendship.”
May this time be fun and meaningful for the girls at the Jamboree.
2) Damascus Road Antiracism Training, at Bluffton University, Aug. 13-15
Pray that the participants will learn helpful ways to dismantle racism in their home congregations.
3) Chaplain Gail Blum, Hospice of Lenawee, Hillsdale, Mich.
4) Chaplain Keith Matthews, Dorothy Love Retirement Community, Sidney, Bellefontaine
5) Chaplain Tom Michaels, Hospice, Millersburg
6) Chaplain Deb Horst, Hospice and Palliative Care of Greater Wayne County
Pray that I may offer a comforting, peaceful, and listening presence to individuals with terminal illnesses and their families.
7) Open Arms Hispanic Ministry, Raúl and Vanita Tadeo and Haroldo and Esmirna Nunes, Kidron
From Haroldo: Praise God for all the individuals, congregations and businesses who have given their support to Open Arms. We feel a deep gratitude for this interest.
Pray for the Perez family, whose infant daughter, Katherine, is struggling for life.
8) Brazo en Brazo Hispanic Ministry, Paul and Ann Conrad, New Carlisle
Oscar had some questions. “How do you say, ‘Yo soy el camino, la verdad y la vida’ (I am the way, the truth and the life) in English? This is just one of many Bible truths that are precious to him that he wants to be able to say in English. Pray for Oscar as he desires to read the Bible and understand it better.
August 19-31, pray for Ohio Conference and other ministries:
1) Sherah-Leigh Gerber, Coordinator of Volunteers for Ohio Conference
Pray for the Annual Conference Assembly 2013 planning, for willing volunteers for the many roles.
Pray for the members of the Ministry Development Team as they work on their projects to resource the Conference.
Pray for Regional Pastor Matt Hamsher, who is on sabbatical. Pray that he may have a productive time of writing his dissertation and protection in travels.
2) Jason and Heather Rissler, Church Planters at Strasburg
Praise God for providing a place to worship each Saturday night in the basement of the United Methodist Church.
Pray that the Spirit will guide us in formation and outreach steps.
3) LifeSpring, a school of Christian spiritual formation,
LifeSpring Mid Ohio will meet at the Hermitage at Beaver Run in Coshocton County. Contact Judy Ringler at judyringler77@embarqmail.com for more information.
LifeSpring NW Ohio will meet at Central Mennonite Church in Archbold. Contact Dana Short at mdshort@embarqmail.com for more information.
From Dana: Pray for those persons who are feeling the call of God to LifeSpring. May they be open to hear and have courage to respond.
Pray for those in your congregation who feel a need to deepen their spiritual life and intimacy with God through worship, silence reflection and contemplative dialogue.
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An Evening Examen (ex amen): an ancient prayer to pray alone or with your group of pray-ers
At evening we pause to remember the gift of this day.
For what did I hope at daylight?
What did I fear?
How have I known God’s love and grace today?
How have I resisted God?
What do I need to confess?
How did I fulfill my call in the world today?
How did I offer love? Refuse love?
What unopened gift of promise remains with me tonight?
What do I need to offer into God’s care and keeping — for myself? For my family? For the world?
God of the night watch, as stillness descends upon the earth and day passes into darkness, hold us and all you love in tender care; protect us as we sleep; refresh our bodies, minds, and spirits so we may rise to love and serve you tomorrow.
We rest in your mercy and trust you forever. Amen.
(by Marlene Kropf — Reading #250 from Words for Worship 2, edited by Diane Zaerr Brenneman)
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Compiled by Mattie Marie Mast, mmmast@zoominternet.net
Prayer Prompter can be found on the Ohio Conference website: www.ohiomennoniteconference.org. Go to “Resource Teams” and select “Prayer Ministry.”
