Prayer is a Privilege and a Responsibility

Women, we have the power of prayer as our resource and support at all times. It is both our privilege and responsibility as Christians.


Prayer is a privilege because we can enter the throne room of God at any time to receive help.

• Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Go boldly!
• James 5:13-18 gives us many reasons to pray.
  o Vs. 13 “Is anyone among you suffering? Let her pray.”
  o Vs. 14 -15 “Is anyone among you sick? Let her call for the elders of the church and let them pray over her, anointing her with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick and the Lord will raise her up.”
  o Vs. 16 – “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
  o Vs. 16 – “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous woman avails much.” (is powerful and effective).
  o Vs. 17-18 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.”
  o In each case there was power in prayer.
• James 4:2-3 “…Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” Women, we need to ask. Don’t be afraid to ask. God does hear us.
• I Thessalonians 5:17 – “Pray without ceasing.” Pray at all times for all things without giving up. Whatever you do – pray!

Prayer is a Responsibility also. “Every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty.” (John D. Rockafeller). It is our reasonable response to the circumstances of life. Its our responsibility because we have the right to enter the throne room. We have the voice. We see the need (opportunity). We know the solution(possession) is in God so we must respond in prayer. While we sometimes respond with fretting, worrying, gossiping, arguing, fuming, etc. The only response that will produce the results God desires is prayer.

• In prayer we align ourselves with the will of God and the power and resources of heaven. Matthew 26:39
• In prayer we focus not on the problem but on the solution. Psalm 121
• In prayer we focus on the character and attributes of God instead of the enemy. Who He is – I AM! Psalm 46
• In prayer our motivations and attitudes are exposed and cleansed. Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me oh God…”
• In prayer we are transformed. 2 Corinthians 3:18 “being transformed…from glory to glory.”
• In prayer we relinquish control to the all wise God. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
• In prayer we are renewed with strength as the eagle. Isaiah 40:31
  

Women, we are never more powerful than when humbled or surrendered in prayer. Prayer is a powerful force, let’s use it to allow God to perform His good pleasure in and through us for His glory.

Why Some Don't Do Women's Ministry

Reading the Blog "Why I don't Do Women's Ministry" by Amy Simpson was interesting to say the least. Amy Simpson wrotle the article for the blog on the "Gifted for Leadership" website. It must have received record comments for a month.

I don't think I could possibly do her justice to summarize what she said, so here it is:

It’s been a long time since I attended a women’s Bible study, luncheon (why don’t they just call them “lunch”?), or anything else just for Christian women. I’ve spent enough of my life feeling bored, self-conscious, and out of place (think junior high gym class).

In my experience, the people who plan these events make all kinds of assumptions about who I am as a women. For starters, most assume I’m a full-time stay-at-home mom (and the best time of day for a meeting is, of course, 10:00 in the morning). They also seem to believe I enjoy making refrigerator magnets, spend most of my time thinking about fashion and chocolate, and can think of nothing better than getting away from my husband and kids (even though I’ve been at work all day) and hanging out with my “girlfriends.” This isn’t me—at all.

I used to think I just didn’t fit. Somehow I wasn’t like most women, and this probably had something to do with my spiritual life, so I should try harder to fit in. Now I realize that’s not true. In fact, the funny thing is, I don’t really think I’m a misfit. Most women I know feel the same way I do about women’s ministry programming. I know that women’s ministries do connect with many women and provide important opportunities for growth. But they seem to be focused on serving a relatively small segment of the population. So I wonder: Why do so many of our women’s ministry efforts treat women as if they all have the same lifestyle, schedule, goals, affinity for June Cleaver, and penchant for pink roses? And why are we expected to call ourselves “girlfriends”?


I don’t mean to undermine the importance of women’s ministry, or trivialize the effective ministry that’s happening in many churches. But by and large, I believe our churches are running shallow, one-dimensional programs that miss important opportunities to minister to many women.

Since we are seeking God to birth a new vision for ministry by women to women, the church and community we need to seriously hear from you as to what you think women's ministry should be. Of course, be ready to fulfill that part of the vision.

I can remember a time when I first moved here and had been in a women's group where much of our time was spent making crafts to sell at the Christmas bazaar. Being a stay at home Mom at the time, I enjoyed the fellowship and fun we had creating. But when my life changed I longed for something more meaningful. We began a Monday night prayer meeting which definitely met my need for something more meaningful. At different times in our lives we will have different needs and a women's ministry might not be able to meet all those different needs; but the church as a whole might.

I don't think a women's ministry is meant to meet all the needs but to use the talents and gifts of available women to minister to as many needs as possible that may not be addressed by the other ministries of the church. Our church is already offering classes Wednesday night and Sunday morning. Counseling and discipling are available. Mentoring is still needed. Specific support groups are still needed.

Our culture, the busyness of life, family dynamics, mothers working two fulltime jobs, single moms, etc. present us with challenges that need to be addressed. However, how do we do that when everyone is so overworked already. Women are cleaning, shopping, cooking, doing laundry, being a taxi driver for children, helping with home work, all while holding down a fulltime job outside the home. When do they have time for ministry or to be ministered to?


How do we design a minsitry that empowers women to live in their design, purpose and destiny without adding to the already overloaded schedule? How do we connect women with others who have walked their path already and have important information to share or could help support them?

Whether we want to admit it or not; women need girl friends. Men do not communicate on the same level emotionally as women do. If you don't like the small talk then find a woman who enjoys the deep, analytical conversations -- we are out there. If tea parties are not your cup of tea then help start something that connects women who enjoy sports, motorcycles, hiking, paintballing, etc. If you enjoy deep Bible Studies, facilitate one and invite some other proper, perfect melancholies who appreciate this kind of depth. (see www.uniquelyhis.net Love in the Dining Room Part 2 (Melancholy). If you don't want to leave children behind then organize a playtime together where you can fellowship with other women who have small children. The possibilities are as endless as there are available women.

What do you think? If we are going to have an effective Women's Ministry we need your input.
You may already be getting all the teaching, training, and fellowship you need because you are involved in ministry in some way. Praise God! But if you aren't, what can you do to help other women? What kind of ministry do you feel you need?

If you're interested in reading the full article by Amy Simpson here is the web address:

http://blog.christianitytoday.com/giftedforleadership/2007/08/why_i_dont_do_womens_ministry.html

A Carrot, an Egg or a Coffee Bean?

A young woman went to her mother and told her about

her life and how things were so hard for her.

She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up.

She was tired of fighting and struggling.

It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen.

She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire.

Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots,

in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans.

She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners.

She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl.

She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl.

Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me, what do you see?"

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots.

She did and noted that they were soft.

The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it.

After pulling off the shell, she observed the hardboiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee.

The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.

The daughter then a sked, "What does it mean, mother?

"Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity ... boiling water. Each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard,and unrelenting.

However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile.

Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior,

but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however.

After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter.

"When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond?

Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong,

but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat ?

Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death,

a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial,

have I become hardened and stiff?

Does my shell look the same,

but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean?

The bean actually changes the hot water,

the very circumstance that brings the pain

When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor.

If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst,

you get better and change the situation around you.

When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest,

do you elevate yourself to another level?

How do you handle adversity?

Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?