Redeemer East Side Update

Some years ago, I remember sitting in a biblical theology class during seminary taught by one of my favorite professors. I was blown away by his encyclopedic knowledge, his evangelistic and missional fervor, and the way he worshipped as he lectured, often breaking into song right after explaining a complex theological concept.

But what impacted me most was his devotion to prayer. He wrote this about prayer:

One of the foundational steps in knowing God, and one of the basic demonstrations that we do know God, is prayer—spiritual, persistent, biblically minded prayer. Writing a century and a half ago, Robert Murray M’Cheyne declared, “What a man is alone on his knees before God, that he is, and no more.” But we have ignored this truism. We have learned to organize, build institutions, publish books, insert ourselves into the media, develop evangelistic strategies, and administer discipleship programs, but we have forgotten how to pray.

Have we forgotten how to pray?

We live in an age that applauds the ability to get stuff done. We read books and listen to podcasts on how to be more productive. (I’m guilty as charged.) We set lofty goals for ourselves and have timelines for mapping out all our future achievements. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be productive, of course. In fact, God put us on this earth to “work it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15).

But in all our frenzied activity, have we forgotten that we can accomplish far more on our knees than at our desks or on our phones?

As we, Redeemer East Side, move towards becoming a “go and show” movement of the Kingdom of God, let’s remember that as we go and show, it’s critical that we also stay and pray. God delights in answering the bold prayers of his eager children, and he’s demonstrated that throughout history.

The origins of the modern missionary movement are often traced to a small prayer meeting in rural Massachusetts consisting of five people called the Haystack Prayer Meeting.

One of the largest revivals in New York City started off as a prayer meeting on Fulton Street with six people showing up thirty minutes late.

My father became a Christian later in life after my mother, brother, and I prayed for him almost every night before we went to bed.

Do you believe in the power of prayer? Jesus says that he will do whatever we ask in his name. Will you join us in praying for our relationships, our work, and our neighborhoods, in his name?

Warmly,

Mark Ro
Director of Spiritual Formation

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If you were in a recent Redeemer worship service on Sunday July 21 or 28, you heard some great news. As part of our Rise 10-year vision, Redeemer East Side has been searching for a property on the Upper East Side for a couple of years for the purpose of building a ministry facility. The exciting update we shared was that Redeemer East Side has identified a property to purchase and begin the development process!

In order to be in a position to sign a purchase contract before the end of August, the Redeemer Presbyterian Church Board of Trustees has called a meeting of the members of the Redeemer Presbyterian Church Corporation on Sunday, August 4 at 1 p.m. in the Temple Israel sanctuary at 112 East 75th Street. The only agenda item is to vote to authorize the Board of Trustees to purchase an East Side property. No other business will be conducted and proxy voting is not permitted. Due to the timing of the meeting, childcare will not be provided. Church members, please make every effort to attend so that we may have a quorum. Please RSVP here.

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