I have been thinking about starting a new store in our area. It all started when The Lord laid a thought on my heart about seven weeks ago.
On the way to church each time we pass a liquor store on the corner of the block our church is located. I started praying that this store would close. It just doesn't seem reasonable to have the power of God on one end of the block and the power of satan on the other end. I am not praying for the building to burn down or that the owners would suffer. I am praying that they will be saved.
Each time we would pass I would contine to pray for God's will. I have asked others in our church to pray too. Some have told me to just look the other direction instead of at that store. Others have said they would pray, but with that same non committal attitude. Years ago church's power in prayer was evident. I am convinced the power is still there. God's word still promises that if we pray, He answers.
My husband teaches a short class on Sunday evening with the boys of church. He challenged them to tell him of prayers that they have seen answered. They couldn't think of any. They were even were open enough to say they really didn't need to pray because their parents gave them everything they wanted. Now, that should give us all a pause for thought. Are our children actually seeing God working in their lives?
We have a beautiful church property on 14 acres. God has been so good to us.
On the very tip of the pie shaped block is the liquor store. To tell people where our church is we tell them to turn at the liquor store.
What would you do with this property if it belonged to you? Now that is where my dreaming has gone wild!
I'm joining in your prayer request. Our God can bring down fire on Elijah's wet alter, For His glory. He can bring that witness again ~
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Thanks Pokey.
DeleteAre there any particular needs your community has? Like a fabric store that holds classes, a community room that has meeting space available to groups but also holds classes (our tech school has non-credit classes in wood working-something your husband seems to be good at- also quilting/sewing, healthy food cooking, computer classes and so on. Do you need a hang out for teens with skateboarding in the front? A "Curves"? A food pantry? A day-care center? Would it need to make money profit or just enough money to sustain utilities/taxes? Will the zoning need to change? How about working on getting the zoning changed? How many times have you asked the family to your home for supper, expressed a personal interest in them, do they have some need the church can provide - so your actions can help soften their hearts. You don't want anything bad to happen to them, but how is your church working for their good? What business will they go into if they get rid of the liquor store? I fully and completely believe God answers our prayers, but I have found that most of the time, it begins with the question "Lord, what is my part? how do I minister to them? how do I bring you to that family?" and to make sure there is no "bragging" after that could offend the new baby Christians. I also have to ask why does this liquor store offend you, is it the only one in your town, will you "pray" the other liquor stores out of town too, is there an atmosphere of embarrassment in telling people "to turn at the liquor store", are you also concerned about the people who visit the liquor store, are there illegal dealings that happen (like drugs) and does the store make this a dangerous area of town?
ReplyDeleteI'm not trying to discourage you, just ask the tough questions. rsmith @ mamaraisin@hotmail.com
Thanks so much. These are questions I have asked myself. Thank you for your comments.
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