Prayers of the People - Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

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September–December: Dreaming
“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. He has rescued us
from the power of darkness and transferred
us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in
whom we have redemption, the forgiveness
of sins.”
—Colossians 1:11–13
As God’s people, we are called to follow Jesus and
to redream God’s dream. We try to imagine the
world as God sees it, a world in which all creation is
in tune with God’s love. Jesus came, as God’s Son,
to demonstrate that love through his humble birth,
his life of compassionate service, his cruel death
on a cross, and his glorious resurrection. He carried
forth God’s dream and fulfilled God’s purpose: to
reconcile humanity to God’s own self and to teach
his followers how to live so that we might continue
God’s dream.
We seek to be all that God created us to be
as individuals—loved by God, gifted for building
up the kingdom of God, and called to acts of
compassion, justice, and peace. We seek to develop
communities of faith for God’s purposes—learning
and growing together, worshipping, and witnessing
God’s love.
During these months we experience renewed
energy and commitment with new beginnings.
We are reminded of God’s dream as we remember
those who have nurtured our faith. We count
our blessings and give thanks. We anticipate and
celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas, bringing
gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love.
September: Hope
“But those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
—Isaiah 40:31 NIV
September brings “back to school” preparations and memories. Whether preparing children for their first school
experience or the next grade, sending a high school graduate off to college, or simply remembering our own
school days, September brings an air of excitement and hopeful anticipation. Preparations for new beginnings
and new experiences fill the air.
Anticipation is woven through the unfolding story of God’s people. The Israelites hoped for deliverance
in spite of bondage, abuse by enemies, wilderness wanderings, exile, occasional lapses into disobedience, and
periods of discontent and apathy. They longed for God’s dynamic presence and called on God for strength to
endure when hope faded. While they sometimes lost sight of God’s dream for redemption, God’s steadfast love
and vision for reconciliation prevailed.
Sometimes we have experiences similar to those of the Israelites—pain, suffering, wandering,
disobedience, discontent, and apathy. It seems that God’s dream for the world is illusive. We, too, hope for
deliverance and a fresh start. We long for God’s abiding presence that gives us strength to walk, to run, and
sometimes to soar like eagles.
This month reflect on the new beginnings in your life. Pray, with gratitude, for the hope you have in
Christ Jesus. Thank God for God’s love and faithfulness. Ask God for renewed energy for your spiritual journey.
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