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We hope that the snow hasn't put too much of a damper on your Valentine's Day plans for tomorrow. Maybe you can take your significant other sledding or make snow angels! ????
Regardless, join us as we continue in our weekly series, Investigating Prayer! ????
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The Where of Prayer
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Have you ever considered that God created us humans as "environmental" creatures? We prefer certain activities or experiences to take place in appropriate environments. For instance, we like it dark when we sleep, we find rest in the mountains, we feel awe in huge cathedrals, and food tastes better by candlelight.
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At the same time, we experience a disconnect when we try to do the wrong thing in the wrong environment. For example, it's normal to see people in swimsuits at the pool or beach, but it would seem completely wrong to don nothing but a bathing suit at church or the grocery store.
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The Right Environment
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In Jesus' day, there were some people using prayer in the wrong way in the wrong environment. They made prayer simply a public activity, doing it for attention, rather than making prayer communication with God. Here is how Jesus explained it in Matthew 6...
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"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward." (Matthew 6:5, ESV)
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Now, Jesus' words do not mean you cannot pray in public. There are numerous instances in Scripture of public prayer, including by Jesus. But when public prayer is the only prayer you are doing, and the goal of those prayers is to make everyone impressed by how spiritual you are, then you are putting prayer in the wrong place.
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Rather, Jesus wants us to realize that prayer is about communicating with our loving Heavenly Father, which is why He contrasted verse 5 with these words...
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"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:6, ESV)
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There is something beautiful about private prayer. It is in the "secret" place where you can be more raw and honest before God, because you aren't having to worry about what others might think of what you are saying to a Holy God.
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Before I close, let me give a couple of tips:
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- Designate a chair or couch at home where you regularly go to talk with God.
- Consider pausing in your car before walking into work or school to pray.
- Come to the Riverwood building for 10-20 minutes on Tuesday mornings and find a quiet place in the Worship Gathering space or Lobby to quietly pray alone.
- Kneel down at your bedside right before climbing under the sheets to sleep or the first thing you do after your alarm has gone off.
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Again, if you are part of a Growth Group, or doing coffee with a hurting friend, please pray with them. Prayer isn't only for the secret place. But let me encourage you to grow in private prayer, because that is often the place where God will do His deepest work on your heart, and how you'll be able to pray properly with others.
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The Table
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Ladies! The Table is a great place to begin or continue your walk with Jesus. We invite you to join us NEXT MONDAY, February 17th @ 7 pm as we gather together for meaningful community and biblical conversations. Get connected with Sara Corcoran or The Table on Facebook for location details. Nothing to prepare, just bring yourself or invite a friend!
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Gather25 Event in Waverly
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Be part of a global Church gathering in Waverly for Gather25 on Friday, February 28th—Saturday, March 1st. Beginning at the W-SR Middle School, doors open at 6:00 pm, with the service beginning at 6:30 pm.
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Afterwards, we will transition to the Riverwood Building around 10:00 pm, and we are in need of plenty of volunteers to help out! Please explore these various needs to help us pull off this effort!
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Volunteer Appreciation
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Mark your calendars, Riverwood Volunteers, for an evening of good company, delicious food, and a fun time! Join us on Friday, February 21st @ 5:30 PM for mouth-watering chili and soups, our way of saying THANK YOU for all you do to bless Riverwood. We can’t wait to celebrate you, so please RSVP before Tuesday, February 18th so that we can plan accordingly!
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Just for Fun
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We all have our favorite parts of the Bible, whether it be a verse, passage, or an entire book... and sometimes it shows.
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