“Prayer”

Now you might be inclined to think, “prayer,” I know how to do it. I do it all the time. I know as much as there is to know about prayer, and for many of us, prayer is one of those first things we're taught. Some might still remember, sitting in Sunday school, hands together, eyes closed tight, heads bowed, trying to look serious while someone in the room prayed. But God still heard them, and they still count. Even now, we're older, perhaps we can still feel a little bit awkward. It could be an awkward thing to do, particularly in a group, maybe having to pray out loud. So, when we talk about prayer, it's worth mentioning though that across cultures and across religions, people have always prayed. So, prayer isn't just unique to us Christians. Some pray at set times of the day. Some face a particular direction. Some repeat carefully written words. Some kneel, some stand, some bow low. For many faiths, prayer is a duty. It's a ritual. It's a practice, something you do at the right time, in the right way, and you do it often enough, and that's good enough. But as Christians, we make a very different claim because prayer is not first a ritual to perform, but it's a relationship to enter into. It's not a box that we tick, but it's something that draws us closer to our Heavenly Father. Prayer transforms us. It builds faith. It shapes our hearts. Even the posture we assume might help us to focus. The real matter in prayer is the posture of the heart. And yet, maybe for something so familiar, prayer can still feel complicated, a bit awkward, inconsistent, sometimes even discouraging. And we begin to wonder, are we saying it right? Are we saying the right things? Are we doing the right things? Are we praying long enough, or are we doing it properly? And that's a shame because what happens is the prayer slowly shifts from this relationship to responsibility, from trust to technique. Prayer is a religious skill that we need to master. We're doing this because prayer is a relationship, and it's a daily way of living life with God. Our conviction through this is simple: we pray because we can't, but God can. Prayer is not the language of people that are strong and that have got it all together. Even if people are articulate, prayer is the language of those who are dependent. So, if prayer feels awkward or if you feel inconsistent or even weak in your prayer life, guess what? You're not alone. You're probably exactly where your prayer begins. “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name.” And it's not just that He wants us to come so that we can dwell with Him. Isn't that an awesome thought? It's not based on performance or ticking the right checklist or facing the right direction. We have the freedom just to come and be. That means that we can spend time listening. We can cry out. We can unload what weighs us down. We can laugh. We can cry. We can bring our requests honestly before him. We're not managing appearances or measuring words. We're simply present with the one who already knows us and loves us. That's prayer that's grounded in relationships because it becomes less about saying the right things and more about actually trusting our Heavenly Father. Even the disciples once came to Jesus and said, “Lord, you know, teach us to pray.” They didn’t ask how to preach, or they didn't ask how to lead, or they asked how to pray because prayer is where that discipleship becomes that dependence. So, if prayer is not a performance, it's not a ritual. It's not a way of proving our spirituality, but it's this relationship that's rooted in dependence with God. It's not independence, but in dependence. Prayer is assumed as normal for a believer, like breathing, eating, or checking your phone before you've even woken fully up. It's assumed that God's people will pray.

There is an opportunity starting this Wednesday at 6 pm to come together and pray. I hope to see everyone there!!

2Chronicles 7:14: “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

Sonshine Corner

Junior Church

The Crew

Ladies KYB

Men's Bible Study

Boys' Brigade

Girls' Brigade 

Keep an eye out for recommencement dates for each ministry for Term 3. 

Please add your availability.

The clipboards are on the table in the foyer. 

If you would like to know a little bit more about what is involved in each of these before signing yourself up, please speak to anyone in the Leadership Team 

There is something for everybody, from little jobs to larger jobs to suit your availability. This is not the entire list. If you see an area you would like to be involved in, please let us know! 

For more information, please speak with any of the leadership team.

Longreach Baptist Church has extended a warm welcome to anyone who would like to join them for their Church Family Camp. For more details, you can speak to the leadership team or contact Longreach Baptist Church on (07) 4658 3865

If you would like to know more about Tree of Life Pregnancy Support Services or how you can be involved, please speak with Gary Lewis or Danielle Cotterill. 

Alternatively, you can contact Tree of Life Pregnancy Support Services (TOLPSS) on their email: treeoflife.mtisa@gmail.com

Click the link below to go to the latest news from In Deed and Truth Ministries. 

The MARCH GHI Newsletter is attached. 

Below are directions on how to open it. 

1. Click on the "CLICK HERE TO READ" link below. It will take you to dropbox.com

2. Scroll down. You will see a button labeled "Open in App." If you have the Dropbox app, click this link; otherwise, read point 3. 

3. Under the "Open in App" button are the words "Open in Browser." Click on this link, and the newsletter will open for you. 

Happy Reading. 

Thank you for your donations,

PLEASE ENSURE ALL LIDS ARE REMOVED FROM THE BOTTLES DONATED.

If you need more information on how you can be involved, please speak with Gary or Janette. 

Welcome to all our new congregation members. We are so blessed to have you join the MIBC family. So we can connect with you better and keep you updated on our latest news and events, please click below to enter your contact details. 

Are you in need of meals or know of anyone who could do with some home-cooked meals?
The Mary Marth ministry is ready to serve with a number of volunteers willing to cook a meal for you or someone you may know who is in need of a little help.

Please contact Holly Page if you are in need of this ministry. 

If you would like to give financially to the church electronically, please find the details below.

Account: Mount Isa Baptist Church

BSB: 704 913

Account number: 400039228

A prayer request will be made each week for four of our church families. This is to encourage us to pray for our church family.

This week’s Families to pray for are:

• Tim Maher
• Jerusha Mamuduri
• David & Heather McCrindle
• Wendy Mitchell.

Our birthdays for April are:

• Rolyn Gantalao, 9th of April
• Moira Van der Bijl, 13th of April
• Nigel Smilth, 23rd of April.

(If your birthday doesn't appear, it means we don't have these details in our database.)

https://www.facebook.com/1stmountisagirlsbrigade

https://www.facebook.com/1stMountIsaBoysBrigade