First, Pray!

 

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.” - 1 Timothy 2:1 (NLT)

 

How often do we leave prayer as a last resort? It is easy to get in the habit of trying to fix problems ourselves and turning to prayer only when it seems we have run out of other options. We often seek solutions in our own strength, and only once we feel it is running out do we turn to God for his. 

 

 

In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he encourages his young disciple about the importance of prayer. The apostle tells Timothy to “First Pray” before he does anything else. He encourages Timothy to pray for people, asking for God's help with whatever situation they face while giving thanks to God for them.

 

 

This was the Theme of this year's See You At the Pole event held this past Wednesday. Students and staff gathered in prayer and worship, joining fellow students worldwide for SYATP. Joe D., Elly K., and Nathan P., from the Student Council, led worship. Then, everyone present broke into smaller groups and joined one another in prayer. Together, they lifted up students all over the world, especially those lacking basic provisions and who are living under persecution. Students prayed for their countries and their governments. They prayed for the ICSB administration, staff, parents, and each other. Finally, they lifted up those friends and neighbors affected by war. 

 

 

Every year, See You at the Pole is a great reminder for us all to stop and turn to God with the things that burden us, whether it be in our personal lives, in the lives of our loved ones, or what we see on the news from around the world. May we all make this a habit not only once a year but daily in our own time. We are grateful to worship a God on whom we can cast all our burdens and through whom we have a family in which we can carry each other's burdens.