In the midst of very challenging times one of the greatest gifts God has for the world is prayer—a personal and intimate opportunity for conversation with the creator. In prayer we begin with who we are; God’s people seeking to understand how to live out of God’s presence with us in the world.

As we all struggle to know how to respond to the boundaries of self-isolation many have turned to prayer to support individuals and families in renewing practices of daily prayer and scripture reading. Many churches are calling for intentional times of prayer and fasting. What a gift it could be if, amid what we are facing, we are able to renew and strengthen our practices of regular prayer.

In Philippians 4, as Paul speaks to a community facing tremendous struggles and difficulties much like we face today. He exhorts his readers to stand firm (verse 1) in the face of their situation. He then goes on to say: “Let your reasonableness (or forbearance) be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God and the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard (keep) your hearts and minds in the Lord.”

Sedona United Methodist Church would like to invite the community to visit their beautiful nativity exhibit and light display in the front parking lot beginning Friday, December 11^th through January 1st—the theme is “Lord, Hear Our Prayers” an interactive display providing the community the opportunity to submit their Christmas prayers which will be prayed over by members of the church prayer ministry. Come and bring your prayers to the manger. The church is conveniently located at 110 Indian Cliffs Road off the Back O’Beyond roundabout on State Route 179 in Sedona. For more information, please call the church office at 928-282-1780 or visit www.sedonaumc.org.