Hey y'all!!!

It's been a busy summer! So far, I've been to the beach, a student council workshop, a middle school church event, and so much more. I have had so much fun but there's one thing I'm still looking forward to. On July 28th, I'm leaving to go to Celeya, Mexico with my youth group on a mission trip. I don't know if any of y'all have ever been on a mission trip before, but it is one of the most exciting, crazy, fun, different, and even scary things ever. One thing that is most important about mission trips is prayer, because without God, things would be a complete mess! So, this week I'm leaving you with two challenges.

Number 1, find a missionary, long-term or short-term, and find out more about what they are doing. Then, number 2, pray for them and anyone else you know that are in the mission field.

I would try and come up with more words of my own but I've found God's say it better, so here are some great verses.

Colossians 4:2-3 (NCV) - "Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God. Also pray for us that God will give us an opportunity to tell people his message. Pray that we can preach the secret that God has made known about Christ. This is why I am in prison."

Matthew 7:7 (NLT) - “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. "

Matthew 21:22 (NCV) - "If you believe, you will get anything you ask for in prayer."

Luke 21:36 (MSG) - "Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that's coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man."

2 Corinthians 1:11 (NCV) - "And you can help us with your prayers. Then many people will give thanks for us—that God blessed us because of their many prayers."

Philippians 4:6 (NCV) - "Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks."

Romans 12:12 (NCV) - "Be joyful because you have hope. Be patient when trouble comes, and pray at all times."

1 Thessalonians 1:2 (NLT) - "We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly."

Ephesians 6:18 (NLT) - "Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (MSG) - "Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live."

2 Thessalonians 3:2 (NLT) - "Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer . "

Ephesians 6:19 (NCV) - "Also pray for me that when I speak, God will give me words so that I can tell the secret of the Good News without fear."

Hebrews 13:18 (NLT) - "Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do."

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV) - "Pray without ceasing"

Also here are some great song lyrics from Casting Crowns

What If His People Prayed

What if the armies of the Lord Picked up and dusted off their swords
Vowed to set the captive free And not let satan have one more

What if the Church, for heaven's sake Finally stepped up to the plate
Took a stand upon God's promise And stormed hell's rusty gates

What if His people prayed And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face, yeah And turn from their old ways

And what would happen if we prayed For those raised up to lead the way
Then maybe kids in school could pray And unborn children see light of day

What if the life that we pursue Came from a hunger for the truth
What if the family turned to Jesus Stopped asking Oprah what to do

What if His people prayed And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face yeah And turn from their own way

Chorus II:
He said that He would hear His promise has been made
He'll answer loud and clear, yeah If only we would pray

If My people call by My name If they'll humble themselves and pray
If My people call by My name If they'll humble themselves and pray

What if His people prayed And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face, yeah And turn from their old ways
He said that He would hear His promise has been made
He'll answer loud and clear yeah If only we would pray

I guess that's it for this month!  

Sincerely,

Sarah