An Evening of Prayer and Worship Q & A

Join us for a Prayer & Worship service on
Tuesday, January 23rd, 7pm at our campus in Forest Dale

What is a prayer and worship service?
In Romans chapter twelve, Paul outlines the marks of a Christian and amidst so many beautiful and Christ-like things, he says this: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (v.12)
Hope... we have hope in Christ’s redeeming work on the cross. Rejoice, people of God! Patience... tribulation will come, and we ask of the Lord for patience in the duration as He works all things for our good. Constant, and unwavering in prayer... we are living in the new covenant: the veil has been torn and we can come before our Creator in ceaseless prayer. What a gift; what a privilege.

Dear Church, simply put, a prayer and worship service is our coming together to practice what Paul has said we ought to be doing as believers. Scripture tells us many times and in many ways to be a people that pray! That is broad answer for why we would have such a service, but if you would, allow me to offer a few specifics in the hope you’ll find encouragement and inspiration to join us in this venture.

Why prayer?
​Since the first church in Acts, group prayer has been vital. As the church in Acts began to carry out the Great Commission, they needed the strength, encouragement, and unity that comes from praying together. We need these things today just as much and more!

Our heart at Furnace Brook is to see our reach extended into every zip code in Rutland County—there are so many unchurched out there; so many who don’t know the One who made them and loves them. While we labor, we invite the laborers—you, and me!—to find rest, peace, and strength in the hearing of the Word; to be encouraged and unified as we lift one another’s burdens to the Lord together; and to seek the Lord’s will for us: individually and corporately.

Why worship?
In a service devoted to the lifting of prayers and petitions to the Lord, we add songs of praise, reflection, thanksgiving, and hope. I’ve heard it said that songs of worship are simply prayers said to a beat. Just as we often find ourselves making another’s words our own when offering an “Amen” to a corporate prayer, we can offer the lyrics of a song sung in unison as a corporate prayer to the Lord.

Why me?
As His created, our purpose is to glorify God with our being. As part of the body of Christ, you are as vital as the next person. We are commanded to pray for and encourage one another. We have been given the charge to spread the name and Hope of Christ to all and to grow in our faith and love. That is a high and challenging calling; we ought to bring before the Lord our difficulties, struggles, plans, and dreams. We want to seek God’s will for ourselves, for our church, for our impact on our communities. It’s our duty and our privilege to do this together!

​The following topics will be a focus of our evening together. Please feel free to ponder them and begin praying before and after we gather together. We hope to see you there!

• Our witness in places we live, work, and learn
• Boldness to evangelize in our conversations
• Fertile soil in the hearts of the unchurched
• Increased affections in our hearts for His cause
• Strength and courage for our spiritual leaders
• Revival in Forest Dale, Brandon, Pittsford, and Rutland

This guest post is written by Stephanie Rue who serves along side her husband, Frank, as worship leaders here at Furnace Brook Wesleyan Church.