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Cultivate Prayer

Cultivate Prayer

God is Close to the Brokenhearted

Cultivate has and always will be a safe place for women to come as they are and be met with kindness and love. Last week, in lieu of our regular on campus programming, we paused to encourage and speak hope over our Cultivate community, many whom were impacted by the tragic events in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Together, Tammy Brown and Melody Workman reminded us that while our heart may be heavy and our spirit grieved, we have a very present hope in Jesus. We have the precious promises of God’s word.

He is with us. He is good to us. He will NEVER leave or forsake us.

Tammy and Melody encouraged us to turn to God in our moments of fear and anxiety, and also equipped us with scripture that we can fix our hearts and minds on when we struggle in these areas. We invite you to view the video teaching from last week, and even share it with friends and family who would be encouraged by this message of hope.

Afterwards, please take some time to dig deeper into God’s word as you work through the reflection activity below. It will not only encourage you now, but it will provide you with truth and promise to carry with you every single day.

DIG DEEPER: Discussion/Reflection Activity:

Alone or with your group, take a few moments to acknowledge any areas of fear you may be facing, perhaps even loss, grief, uncertainty, or loneliness. Grab a piece of paper or your journal and take a few moments to tell God what you feel as you admit these fears. Share with your group.

Next, meditate on this truth from God’s word:

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Do not be afraid…for I myself will help you, declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One.
Isaiah 41:13-14

How does this promise from God encourage you today? Discuss with your group.

As Christians, we live WITH fear, not IN fear. When fear rises up, fix your thoughts on the truth of God’s word. He is our refuge and strength. He loves us with an everlasting love. Fear does not have the power to dictate our life or choices, because our life is in the hands of a loving and good Father.

Fill in the blank: God, when I am afraid of_____________________, I will trust in YOU.

Close your reflection time by writing this verse in your journal or bible, and committing it to memory. When fear or the struggles of the world creep in, claim this truth as your own:

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise – in God I trust and am not afraid.
Psalm 56:3-4

We are here for you. If you or someone you know is struggling with fear or has been impacted by the recent events in Las Vegas, our Soul Care staff is available for help at www.sandalschurch.com/help

You are always invited to join us at any weekend services at all Sandals campuses where we gather together as a church to worship and pray. For times and locations, visit www.sandalschurch.com or to view live online visit www.sandalschurch.tv

Cultivate Prayer

Cultivate Prayer

Hi ladies. This past weekend after each service, on each campus, women of Sandals Church met to cultivate prayer together. This time was absolutely precious. There’s just something about coming together and praying with one another, for one another. It is my heart for the women of our church to be women who take prayer seriously, knowing that our words can have eternal impact on one another’s lives, that prayer is cultivated into our everyday life, relationships and circumstances.

Matthew 18:18-20 says, “Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.”  

Let’s be real ladies, this life and all that it brings with it is far more than we can handle on our own.

Ephesians 6:13-18 makes no pretense in regards to this. It says, “Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.”  

James 5:16 & 17 say, “Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.”  

And so we shall…. Make this a common practice, the practice of cultivating prayer together.  Ladies, please join us the first weekend of each month, on each campus following each service, to cultivate prayer together with one another for one another.  

Here’s how this will work:

  • The first weekend of each month, on each campus, after each service
  • 10 minutes after service meet in the *designated area (*follow @cultivatewomen on Instagram or Facebook to know where to meet)
  • Look for your Cultivate campus coordinator or Cultivate Prayer minister
  • Spend 10 minutes praying together as women for women
  • Go about your day!

It’s as simple as this. If you have a specific prayer you need prayed for we will also be praying 1-1 following this time. You’re probably thinking… “what if I have a prayer request and it’s not the first weekend of the month?” I’m so glad you asked. We want to pray for you! You matter to us! Outside of each restroom on each campus we are installing prayer boards. This is a place you can write out your request and leave it for us to collect at the end of each weekend. Your request will be kept confidential and prayed for during the week, and (if you so desire) we will contact you to let you know that you were prayed for and to follow up on how you’re doing and how we can further pray or praise God for His answered prayers in your life.  

It’s an honor to be your pastor’s wife and to cultivate prayer together with you. I look forward to all that God will do as we take prayer seriously!

Kindly,

Tammy Brown