Good afternoon, gang!   1. FROM THE HEART Title: A Life of Prayer - Prayer is a means to a stronger relationship with God. (Part 1 of 2) Author: Brian Petak Scripture References: Psalms 66   If someone were to ask you "Do you pray as much as you should?" what would your answer be? Most of us would probably get that sinking, guilty feeling because we know we are not spending enough time in prayer. What would happen if we stopped looking at prayer as this "never-quite-reached Christian duty" and saw it for what God truly intends it to be? A relationship.   Prayer is not something that allows us to get what we want. It is something that God uses to give us what He wants! Bingham Hunter says, "(God) actually enjoys having us speak to Him. Developing a relationship with us is His goal, and answers to prayer are a means He uses to foster self-disclosure, growth and understanding of both Him and ourselves." (Hunter, The God Who Hears, p. 79) It amazes me to think that a mighty and powerful God who lacks nothing, and who needs nothing, desires a relationship with someone as seemingly insignificant as me! And this relationship comes through prayer - not merely through an event - but through the life of a worshipper.   Hunter explains it this way: "God does not respond to our prayers. God responds to us: to our whole life. What we say to Him cannot be separated from what we think, feel, will and do. Prayer is communication from whole persons to the Wholeness, which is the living God. Prayer is misunderstood until we see it this way." (Hunter, p. 13) He doesn't respond to what we say, but what we ARE, and who we are. This is how it is possible to "pray without ceasing" as Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 - it was never Paul's intention that we spend every moment of every day on our knees - his admonition was a practical statement calling us to live a LIFE of prayer.   The key to living a life of prayer is obedience - offering our bodies as living sacrifices to God as our spiritual act of worship (Romans 12:1-2). Disobedience disrupts this conversation with God because a holy God cannot look upon sin. According to Psalm 66:18, God does not listen to our prayers when we are harboring sin in our life. Why? Because he is listening to our life, not just the words that come out of our mouth.   Of course, we need to spend time on our knees - we are commanded to do so in Scripture. But there is so much more to experience when we see prayer as a lifestyle - a relationship. This can be difficult to grasp unless we look at some practical ways to make it a reality.   (Editorial note: Part 2 will look at a few suggestions on how to live a life of prayer.) Reprinted from www.worshiptogether.com   2. ANNOUNCEMENTS Here is some of what is going on in the music ministry at FBC this week:   The Alto section is cruzin' in for rehearsal in the Choir Room tomorrow evening from 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm with proper social distancing, etc. Wear your "choir mask" and come ready to punch out the little black dots in your music. You are more than welcome to come before rehearsal time or stay after the rehearsal for "social time" in the parking lot. The full UPDATED rehearsal schedule is in the right column of this newsletter.   I have included a video preview of the anthem for Sunday, May 2, 2021. Enjoy singing along!!!   DON'T FORGET: Sunday, May 2 will be our final time to sing in worship this Spring - Be sure to have this date set aside on your calendar.   3. FORGETTABLE FACT Most lipstick contains fish scales!   4. POTENT QUOTABLES "God is the perfect poet, Who in his person acts his own creations." ~ Robert Browning   "Jesus is God spelling Himself out in language that men can understand." ~ S.D. Gordon   5. PROMISES FROM GOD'S WORD God's Promise from Romans 5:8 (NCV) - "God shows his great love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners."   What Does This Mean For Me? - God loves you and he proved it! Even before you knew God existed, he allowed Jesus to die on the cross to pay the penalty for your wrongs.   6. PARTING SHOT 52% of all statistics are false.   Have a great week. Always remember that I am praying for you.   Bro. Bryan <><   ==========================   If you want to share the Good Friday Worship: What Love Is This? with your family and friends or watch it again, here is the link to the video: https://youtu.be/AkAtN48BkUw?t=803   The video will be available through Friday, April 16, 2021   You can view the concert program here: https://bit.ly/3utzCRW