April Prayer Ministry
- Apr 1
- 2 min read
“THE CHURCH…A Place to Grow in Our Faith” “Then as you have received Christ as Lord, continue to walk in him…just as you were taught. Colossians 2:6-7
Have you ever tried to grow a plant in the wrong environment. No matter how much potential the seed has, it will struggle to grow when it doesn’t have exactly what it needs to thrive…water, sun, and loving care. Our faith is like a seed and it too needs the right environment to grow. God who provides the nourishment necessary for plants to grow and thrive, also provides the right environment for our faith to grow. That environment comes through the church where our faith will grow and become stronger as we are nourished through God’s word and as we are cleansed and refreshed through our baptismal water. It will grow as we are guided by the Holy Spirit and encouraged by fellow believers. The church is not always perfect as it is made up of imperfect humans, but it is God’s chosen place where our spiritual growth is cultivated and nourished. It is where we receive the wisdom we need and the guidance necessary to help us navigate life’s challenges. It is where we receive power to change how we think and act; and where we are strengthened to guard against and to resist life’s temptations. It’s kinda like a greenhouse where seeds are given the right environment; where they are protected; and where they receive the right nourishment.
The church is like a spiritual ecosystem where seeds of faith are watered, fed, stretched and matured into a living, breathing body of Christ.
In Romans 10:17, it says that “faith comes by hearing”. But, faith is not just head knowledge. Hebrews 10:25 says that we also “need one another”. So, it is within the community of other people we are given the opportunity to walk and do life together. It is where we find opportunities to exercise patience, grace and forgiveness. It is where we are encouraged, challenged, corrected and supported by one another. It is where our faith becomes active through opportunities to sing in the choir, greet at the door, teach kids, help behind the scenes or serve in multiple other ways within the church or in our communities. And, as our faith matures, we become more like Christ, ready to extend God’s grace and forgiveness into our communities and beyond.
Dear Lord, make this church a place where all can grow in their faith. Help us to involve everyone, to encourage all, and to provide many ways where everyone will have the opportunity to develop a stronger faith. Open our eyes to see the numerous possibilities you place before us as a way for us to grow and strengthen our faith while bringing glory to your name. Amen
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