Day 8 // Pray for Your Neighboring Church

Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me (1 Corinthians 16: 1-4).

Reflections

Some churches actually have thrived during COVID-19. Some are just hanging in there. Some are in a lot of pain. It is easy during stressful times to turn inward and put all one’s time and energy on self-focus. It happens with individuals, with families and it can even happen with churches. To be certain, self-care is vital. It is also healthy for a church to look for ways to serve their neighboring churches. Reaching out is not about competition, nor survival of the fittest. We have fellow churches in pain, and we must not turn a blind eye. Pray God will show your church leadership another church to serve. Perhaps choose one of a different culture for the added benefit of learning from them in the relationship. By the way, if you are a church in pain, this challenge is for you, too. Even in your pain you will be blessed by serving others.

Challenge

Ask God to reveal to you neighboring churches you can serve in relationship and resources. As the apostle Paul once challenged, “Do the same thing I told the Galatian churches to do… put aside money as you have been blessed… I will send whomever you approve to take your gift to Jerusalem.”

Prayer

Holy God, I pray for the churches in our area. Some are crying out to you for help, and you may be calling our church to be the hands and feet of Jesus for them. Open our eyes so that even during our trying times we may be an instrument of your blessing.