Sunday Morning (by Thom)

This past Sunday we had a fun opportunity. We visited a church near Bamako. This was actually the third time we've been there but the first in over a year. In that time the church has bought some property and build a new building. The church was able to raise funds for the land and it was a gift from the US that allowed them to build the building.
Our first times there we loved this group of worshipers. The spirit was definitely alive in this small group of people. When we arrived in Mali their pastor had just died. A seminary student was temporarily leading the services and by our second visit he had graduated and been appointed as their full-time pastor. It was so neat to see that even though they're now meeting in a new place and after all the changes of the last year and a half the spirit of the church remained.
It was also our first time to visit the church since adopting Miriam and Hannah and the reception we got from them was overwhelming. After the service the pastor and his core group of 'prayer warriors' asked if they could pray for us and for the girls.
I see a great future for this church and after the service Amanda told me, "They're going to fill that new building really soon." As I was praying for this growing church I found this guide to praying for new churches, which I modified slightly.

Praying for New Churches
From A-to-Z

Anointing—ask for the anointing of the Holy Spirit to start new churches in Mali.
Boldness—pray for boldness to start new churches.
Conviction—pray for conviction to start new churches.
Direction—pray for direction in how, when and where to start new churches.
Encouragement—pray that current new church planters will be encouraged.
Faith—pray for faith to start new churches.
Glory—pray that God will get all the glory in every new church started.
Hunger—pray that a great hunger to start new churches in Mali will prevail.
Insight—ask for the ability to see what God sees in starting new churches.
Jesus—pray that salvation through Jesus will be taught in new churches throughout Mali.
Knowledge—pray for the knowledge in starting new churches.
Love—ask for the ability to love those without Christ.
Motivation—pray for leaders to be motivated to start new churches.
Needs—ask that the needs of new church planters will be met.
Openness—pray for an openness of attitude for new church starts.
Pray—pray and pray and pray and pray and pray for new churches in Mali.
Quiet—pray for new church leaders to be alone and quiet before God.
Revival—pray for revival that results in many new churches being started.
Salvation—ask the Lord for many to be saved in new churches.
Thanks—pray with a thankful heart for the new churches God will start.
Unsaved—lift those without Christ up to the Lord.
Vision—pray for the vision to start new churches.
Witness—ask God to lead you to someone today so you can share Jesus.
X-men—pray for all the unknown Mr. and Mrs. “X’s” in Mali.
Yes—pray “yes” I will be available to start a new church.
Zeal—ask God to fill workers with a great zeal to start churches.