Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21 NRSV)
Starting Monday, May 8, members of Sugar Creek will embark on a 28-Day Dynamite Prayer Adventure. I invite everyone (including you!) to participate in this important prayer adventure. If you desire to “break through the walls of your prayer life and discover miraculous new possibilities,” then I urge you to be bold, step out in faith, and join the 28-day adventure. I am certain you will not be disappointed!
The 28-Day Prayer Adventure is based on the book Dynamite Prayer: a 28 Day Experiment by Rev. Dr. Rosario Picardo, Director of United Theological Seminary’s Houses of Study and founding pastor of Mosaic, a multicultural church in Dayton, Ohio, and Rev. Sue Nilson Kibbey, Director of the Bishop Bruce Ough Innovation Center at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.
The 28-Day Prayer Adventure is a personal, intimate prayer experience. Thus, participants do not meet to study and share in small groups (unless some persons desire to do so, which I highly encourage!). And the only resource needed is the Dynamite Prayer book, which is available on the Dynamite Prayer Table next to the Worship Center entrance. (Look for the table with the bright yellow table covering!)
The following paragraphs are excerpts from the back cover:
“Dynamite Prayer is a daily prayer guide that will show you how to begin a practice of ‘breakthrough prayer,’ a way of praying where we ask God to open new doors and reveal new possibilities, fueled by the Spirit’s power. This 28-day adventure will take you from feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and uninspired to curious and expectant as you surrender your own preferences and ideas and courageously follow the miracles God brings into your life.”
“Each day contains: A brief meditation on a verse from Scripture that will help you see how the Spirit’s dynamite power has been at work throughout history and in your life today; reflection questions for the day; a short breakthrough prayer for the day; a prayer word or phrase to help you make breakthrough prayer part of each moment.”
To enhance the individual experiences of the Dynamite Prayer Adventure, the sermon messages for the four Sundays in May will emphasize the power of prayer and the Holy Spirit. Also, the worship services will include a time for people who desire to share their breakthrough prayer stories. And “A Prayer Place” has been set up to the left of the worship platform in the Worship Center for people to use anytime the church is open to pray, light a candle, and/or share prayer concerns and experiences.
The 28-Day Dynamite Prayer Adventure is only the beginning! Our prayer adventure experience will form the foundation of an ongoing “breakthrough prayer” ministry here at Sugar Creek that I’m certain will transform our prayer lives and enable us to experience the dunamis (dynamite) power of the Holy Spirit in miraculous and life-changing ways, both individually and as a church.
So, please prayerfully consider participating in this powerful prayer adventure. Then, stop by the Dynamite Prayer Table to sign up and pick up a copy of Dynamite Prayer. If you aren’t able to come to the church, just call Sheila at the office and we’ll get you signed up and make arrangements to deliver the book to you. My hope and prayer are that at least fifty people will participate. When we reach that goal, you just may hear your pastor shout from the pulpit that famous one-word phrase by actor J.J. Walker: “DYN-O-MITE!”
