Thank you, Builders, for every time you have prayed, given, or promoted on behalf of Greenhouse.

During October and early November, most Greenhouse families will be involved with our annual Serve-a-Thon. Pray as they select their service projects. Pray as the students send out letters asking for people’s support. Pray as everyone serves side-by-side at various sites. Pray that the ministries and individuals we serve will be blessed by the work done on their behalf.

In his letter, the apostle James speaks candidly about how we can pray ineffectively, even wrongly. Let’s read and heed his admonition:

James 4:2-8 (NIV)

You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

To be numbered among the adulterous people, sinners and double-minded is humbling. None of us wants to be characterized in that way. And yet, our friendship with the world, and our desire to please ourselves, set us at odds with the way of Christ. Thankfully, God shows favor and mercy when we humble ourselves, confessing the prideful postures of our heart. As we prayerfully invite the washing and purifying work of God’s Spirit, He draws close to us and our prayers more closely reflect Him and His Kingdom. May this be true as pray for Greenhouse, as well as for those whose life’s journey we share.