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Grace Touch
Facilitating Global Impact
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Come to the Sofa!
By Melissa Kreis
When a friend of mine is having a rough week, all she has to do is text "Sofa" to a friend. Her friend knows exactly what to do. It's their code for, "Meet me before work Thursday morning at the coffee house so we can sit on the sofa and de-stress."
Their friendship wouldn't be worth much without those times. Sure, they see each other in passing from time to time. But it's those heart-to-heart talks that develop depth in the relationship. Because both are so busy, they have to set deliberate times to nurture their relationship. They leave the coffee shop more in tune with each other as well as with their own hearts.
It's easy to understand this principle in our earthly interactions, but it also applies to our relationship with God. "Sometimes we struggle unnecessarily because we are not in tune with our prayer relationship with the Father," shares Sue Knight, one of the driving forces behind the Prayer Summit planned for the weekend of September 30 through October 2 in Auburn, Indiana. Women from across the country are invited to participate.
In a time when Christians are feeling uncertain about the future in our rapidly-changing society, we need to return to a dependence on prayer to overcome the efforts of our enemy. "E
ven more critical," Sue stresses, "is the fact that we were created to glorify God the Father. It is our privilege to emulate the example of His Son, Jesus, in the example of His life of prayer here on earth through the power of the Holy Spirit."
"I think many of us are missing out because we aren't using the tools He has provided for us," Sue observes. "I just think we need to learn more about prayer." (
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A Prayer Summit
Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2016
Auburn, IN
LaQuinta Inn & Conference Center
Register and Make a Room Reservation TODAY!
Cost: $95 (save $10 if you
register by September 1)
Room Rate $79.99 + tax per night (for up to four ladies per room)
Includes free Bright Side Breakfast and high-speed internet.
Call 1-866-527-1498
prior to September 9, 2016
to reserve your room. Request the Women of Grace Retreat Reservation Block # 0745904
This promises to be a weekend that will transform your prayer life. It's a journey you don't want to miss!
Find more information
here
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Prayer Watch with Sharon MacMillan
Many of us long for a fiery spiritual awakening to sweep across the West. But when I read of the long agonizing prayer vigils that took place for revival to break out, I come away feeling defeated and exhausted. I think Jesus is looking at me with a knowing smile, possibly tinged with a bit of sadness. There is much to learn about this God-given activity of prayer.
At the Margins conference last month in Toronto, we prayed with perfect strangers and yet we were joined in heart as we prayed for each other's lives, ministries and for our Fellowship's place in this world. When we pray together, something to celebrate surfaces that is an unspeakable treasure. In the company of God's unified people, bonds of love form.
Maybe you are thinking prayer is too hard, that you can't give the attention or energy it deserves. Maybe you feel that you don't know how to pray well, or have some other barrier. Bring these concerns to the next opportunity the Lord provides for praying with the body. Enjoy God's presence and enjoy the company of God's people. Come away refreshed. Let Him take charge over your spiritual growth in the area of prayer and He will be faithful to lead you onward. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for My burden is light (Matthew 11:29)."
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I'm Seeing Answers!
with Pat Ashcraft
"And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Luke 11:9
For the last year and a half, one of my constant prayers has been for more women of grace to support our national organization. For years, churches had monthly meetings for women where offerings were taken and shared with the national office. But many churches have dropped their monthly meetings and no longer take offerings. This has left Women of Grace USA (WGUSA) with less funds to do the ministry needed. I was sure that God would provide and prayed with other women for an answer to meet those financial needs.
As we prayed, God gave us an idea to start a Trellis Ministry. The Trellis Ministry consists of women who have committed to give $15 or more every month. We need 250 women to take this challenge to reach our need of $3,500 per month need. We are praising God for those that have responded and we have seen about a third of our need faithfully coming in this past year. But I am still praying that God will provide the other two-thirds needed. I KNOW He will do that as we ask, seek and knock.
Do you want to be the answer to my prayers and the prayers of our national board of WGUSA? Pray and ask God what part He has for you in our Trellis Ministry. To find out more about the Trellis Ministry and how to donate, or about the other ministries of WGUSA, visit our website.
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Mom to Mom: How I Want my Kids to See Prayer
By Kate Ward
I grew up in a praying family. My grandfather was known for blurting out prayers when we were coming back from a long trip. My grandparents would pray about things that I talked to them about and they would ask for an update every time they saw me. I grew up catching glimpses of my dad doing his daily quiet time; I know he brought more people than I can count to the Lord during that time. My mom was the mom who had a list and would faithfully pray for those requests. I am thankful I grew up with a bunch of prayer warriors.
I want to pass this legacy on to my kids, but where do I start amidst the noise and the busyness of our house? I am lucky to have a quick devotional before the chaos of the day begins--how can I teach my kids to "pray unceasingly"? As all good moms know, starting small is the best way to move in any direction, and showing your kids something is the best way to teach them. So here are the things I want my kids to know about prayer: (
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Power that Overcomes
This year we are celebrating how God's power overcomes whatever we come up against. The Women's Spectrum magazine is a treasury of stories from women who have experienced God's power at work in their lives. Purchase your copy
here
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Mark your Calendar
Aug 26-27 -
Principles of Effective Bible Study - Winona Lake,IN
Register
Sept 30-Oct. 2 - Soul Cry: A Prayer Summit - Auburn, IN
Register
Nov 4-5 - Spiritual Formation (Spanish) - Winona Lake, IN
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