September Devotion

Have you ever felt disconnected from God? While prayer may be a way of caring for the heart, sometimes we allow the clamoring of life’s challenges to distract us from prayer’s life-giving blessings. One tool to reconnect to that vital relationship with God is the use of prayer beads. 

In her book, A Bead and a Prayer, author Kristen Vincent describes her experience creating a prayer life using prayer beads. When she first began, Kristen struggled with prayer. Over time, the prayer beads enabled her to encounter God in a vital way. Such an encounter, she writes, may lead us to surrender to God’s power. Upon surrendering to God, we may feel encouraged to offer ourselves to God. Then we learn to listen for God’s response. I find prayer beads help when I am distracted. Holding the beads as I pray keeps my mind focused. You can purchase prayer beads or experiment with prayer knots on a length of string, yarn or ribbon: 

1. Cut a piece about 16 inches long. 
2. Tie 8 knots of equal distance beginning about 1.5 inches from one end of the cording.  
3. Pray a scripture verse for each knot, or use the knots to offer prayers of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication (ACTS) as you hold the knots.  As you pray remember the point is not just to talk to God but to listen for God’s response.

Prayer Requests

Prayers are requested for Mike Rushing, (former Lay Leader in the Southeast District and currently serving on the Episcopacy Committee) on a recent diagnosis and upcoming treatments. Words of encouragement can be sent 1285 Greenleaf Ave., Jackson, MO 63755.  

This Week's Churches and Pastors: 

August 26

Smithville
Senior Pastor Rebecca Mulford

August 27

South Park/St. Paul (St. Joseph)
Senior Pastor Sid Robbins and spouse Jayne

August 28

Sparta
Senior Pastor Rodney Krumme and spouse Phyllis

August 29

St. Andrew (Kansas City)
Senior Pastor Jeffrey Williams and spouse Sharon

August 30

St. James (Kansas City)
Senior Pastor Emanuel Cleaver and spouse Sharon
Associate Pastor Elmer Cunningham
Associate Pastor Jacqueline McCall and spouse Randy

Mozambique Church: Faquete
Venancio Uaquico Dembele

August 31

St. John's
Senior Pastor James Hoffman and spouse Margaret

Mozambique Church: Lihozwane
Lidia Juliao Vilanculo

September 1

St. Luke’s (Kansas City)
Senior Pastor Glen Connoley and spouse Catherine

Pembe
Rodolfo Carlos Valoi

September 2

St. Mark’s (Independent)
Senior Pastor Sarah Wimberley and spouse Andy