Prayers of the People - Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

April: Spiritual Guidance
April 1–8
“I pray that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
so that you may lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work
and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from
his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving
thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.”
—Colossians 1:9–12, adapted NRSV
“The LORD is my strength and
my might; he has become my
salvation.”
—Psalm 118:14
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Many Christians—longing for a deeper relationship with God, wanting to be held accountable in prayer, and
seeking to discern God’s direction in their lives—look to someone for guidance. Spiritual directors are gifted and
trained to serve in this way.
A spiritual director is primarily a guide or companion on the spiritual journey, one who is committed
to listening as another shares practices of prayer and other spiritual disciplines. Believing that God is actively
present with them, the director helps another fellow believer to notice how God is communicating with them,
leading them, and calling them to a deeper relationship with God.
The celebration of the resurrection on Easter Sunday is a significant day in the lives of those who follow
Jesus. We are challenged to maintain the Lenten disciplines and spiritual practices as we continue our spiritual
journey beyond that day and to share the message of Easter with others. A spiritual guide can help us with that
challenge and may pray for us as Paul prayed for the people at Colossae, encouraging us as we continue to be
formed in Christ’s image.
This month meet with a trusted Christian friend to share confidential conversation about your practice of
prayer and other spiritual disciplines. Pray for each other. Consider meeting regularly for spiritual conversation
and prayer.
Ilir was denied work in Albania and now works construction in Athens, Greece. He is bright, but poverty inhibited
any formal education beyond high school. Yet Ilir always has a book in his pocket, enjoys discussing politics and
has excelled in the English as a Foreign Language training at PORTA, the Albania House in Athens overseen by
CBF field personnel Bob and Janice Newell as well as Matt and Michelle Norman. Because Ilir’s family remains in
Albania, he calls PORTA his “family.” With the economic distress in Greece, Ilir now has little work, but when he
has the money to purchase a Metro ticket, he comes to PORTA seeking companionship, whether or not his class
is meeting. Pray that Ilir finds work opportunities and that PORTA will continue to be a place of belonging and
reconciliation for Albanians. To learn more, visit www.anotherdayalongtheway.wordpress.com.
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