Christmast 2008 Prayer
Christmas 2008
Prayer Letter
Dear Friends and Family,
For Advent I gave a sermon on how Immanuel, God with us, both exposes us and pursues us with his love. As sinners, we prefer to keep Immanuel at a distance. We believe the lie that it is easier, safer, and keeps our lives neater to keep God at arm’s length. We remain in control. The closer God comes to our lives, the more our sin, failures, and weaknesses appear. The holiness of God exposes us. And so what we fear, exposure by a Holy God, is what we need the most. In the “God with usness”, our exposure leads to love and grace. Jesus drew so near that we could touch him, beat him, mock him and crucify him. It is this same Immanuel who draws near in order to redeem us. Immanuel is God exposed. In Immanuel, we see who the self-sacrificial love of God. At the cross, a duel exposure occurs, the sin and rebellion of humanity, and the love and grace as Immanuel was crucified for our sins. Our hope at Christmas is the same as it’s been throughout centuries. We see God drawing near to us. We see God covering the ground of separation between him and his people. We see in Immanuel our exposure and redemption.
In the nearness, the “with usness” of Christ’s Spirit we can have hope, that Immanuel will be with us, period. We so quickly forget that in the midst of anxiety that wakes us in the middle of the night, the fear over job loss, losing a home, stress over holiday events and purchases, Immanuel is near. He is close.
The idea of God with me provides great hope as April and I look more and more to planting Chesapeake Presbyterian Church. As we announce this step of faith, God began to show us how He’s already preparing the ground for this new church. We’ve met several people in the community who have shown significant interest in the church plant. Amazingly, these are people I didn’t know two months ago! Several business leaders have offered to introduce me to their coworkers and employees. These kinds of networks are crucial to the success of the new church.
As you pray for us, would you continue to pray for Chesapeake Presbyterian Church and our family along these lines:
· An open door for the Gospel to go into Chesapeake
· Make us bold in proclaiming the Gospel
· Deliver us from wicked men
· Fundraising
· Selling Home
· 100 Person Prayer Team
This month, in addition to my responsibilities at Trinity, I’ll be preparing a 3-4 year budget, and church planting plan in order to fundraise. We’re eager to move to Chesapeake and be full-time planting the church. We can’t go, until our budget is raised.
I’d love for you to join our prayer team! Would you please send me an email, and let me know if you’d be willing to join our prayer team?
In Christ,
Bob Willetts
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