The first and most critical component to kingdom building in the church militant is prayer. The disciples looked at Jesus after years of talking, after years of Jesus' modeling, after years of His miraculous events and requested, "Lord, teach us to pray." They didn't say, "Lord, teach us to heal." They didn't say, "Lord, teach us to walk on water." They said, "Teach us to pray." The role of prayer in mission is critical."

Before every significant event in Jesus' life, He was first in prayer. (In fact His life was and is a life of prayer before the Father even though He is 100% God.) He went off on His own to pray before He called the Disciples. He lifted His voice in prayer before feeding the thousands who came to listen to His teaching. Jesus was in excruciating prayer before He was betrayed and led to the cross. I know you can identify other prayer/event connections.

Such is the case today. As a District we are looking for a miracle. We are looking for the miracle of changed hearts that would trust Christ with their soul. We are asking the Lord of Life to bring life to the thousands upon thousands who are moving next door to us in Texas and we are asking that He use us to do this. Indeed, we would be honored if He would use us to add to His kingdom.

We are organized for this; we have check lists, priorities, coaches, and enthusiasm. We are eager for this to occur. But the question stands; are we in prayer concerning this or are we relying on organization and human activities pursuing human goals?

Let us recognize that the growth of the church is a supernatural event calling for a supernatural turn of heart toward Jesus. After years of ministry, the disciples recognized this reality and finally suggested to Jesus or pleaded, (I can not tell) from the text), "Lord, teach us to pray." Is that our request? Or are we still hoping, "Lord, teach us structure" or "Lord, teach us to better schedule"?

The challenge before us in Texas is so great that a significant call to prayer is appropriate.  It is our prayer, our goal, to realize 10% of the Baptized membership of the Texas District LCMS congregations to be in prayer for the mission in Texas. That means, approximately 13,500 people will lift up the mission of the church in Texas. With hearts toward God and hands toward our neighbor we look for God's blessing in His kingdom as people come to faith in Christ.

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