Greetings Family,

Ponder these thoughts from the author of the book, “Discerning The Voice Of God”.

“So as we get ready to dig in, let’s say a prayer that God will bless what He’s about to give us, and that He’ll open our hearts, certain beyond a doubt that we’ll hear from His Word and His Spirit.“ (Page 13; Author, Priscilla Shirer)

For this week (August 6 through August 12), let’s consider these bible passages (in collaboration) with the “#BeEncouraged - Bible Passages That Share Encouragement” from our ATBC website section [“Love Note from Senior Pastor J. Alfred Smith, Jr.”]. We beseech you to pray and meditate on the prayer themes and the scripture verses by inserting your name and other names where it states, (Fill-in Name). If possible, let's pray together during the 7am morning hour, 7pm evening hour or 12:00 noon time-frame.  

Prayer Themes and Scriptures

  • Believe, God has the answers
    • Romans 12:2 (KJV) - (Fill-in Name), 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
    • I John 5:1-5 (NLT) - (Fill-in Name), 1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ] has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. 2 We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments. 3 Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 5 And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
  • Believe, God has the answers
    • Proverbs 3:5-6 (NRSV) 5 Trust in the Lord (Fill-in Name), with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. 6 In all your ways (Fill-in Name), acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
  • Believe, God has the answers
    • Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV) - (Fill-in Name) 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
  • Sunday School Lesson (8/12) – Global Economic Justice
    • 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (KJV) 7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. 8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. 11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. 12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. 13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: 14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: 15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

[Come join us, as we wrestle with and discuss this week’s Sunday school lesson]

As we continue seeking the will of God and His discernment through the processes of prayer and meditation, we invite you to not only incorporate our Scripture & Meditation Focus into your daily life via the weekly newsletter insert, but also the entire archive on the Church website (Allen-Temple.org; click Pastoral Transition on the top blue bar of the home page), but to also join us at our Thursday Pastoral Transition Prayer Hours in the Sanctuary. The Prayer Hour will be followed by Thursday Evening Bible Study taught by Pastor Smith and Reverend Olu Bereola. Dates and times are:

Pastoral Transition Prayer Hour Schedule

Thursday, August 9 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Thursday, August 23 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Thursday, September 6 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Thursday, September 20 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Thursday, October 4 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm

God Bless!!!