Welcome to e-pray.  I am Brett Andrews and I have been with YFC for approximately 39 years.  I serve with the National Team as the Director of People Development.

It is my great privilege to share this week’s epray with you. Our theme for this month is Growth and I will be sharing from Mark 4, verses 26 & 27 which are part of what is called the Parable of the Growing Seed.

In this chapter in Mark’s gospel, Jesus tells several parables around growth and how the kingdom of God works. He doesn’t spend time explaining these parables… he simply gives them for us to ponder.

Before I read the scripture, I invite you to pause to quiet your heart and mind…

If it helps, breathe in saying “Jesus speak to me” and exhale, “I am listening.”

Mark 4:26, 27

He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.”

• Where in my life am I trying to control the outcomes instead of trusting the slow, unseen process of growth?

Pause

• Do I feel restless when I don’t see immediate results in my spiritual life or in the lives of others? What might it look like to be more patient?

Pause

Part 3: Closing Prayer

We will close with an ancient prayer for God’s peace and protection as we entrust ourselves into his care.

O God,
from whom all holy desires, all good counsels,
and all just works do proceed:
give to your servants that peace
which the world cannot give;
that our hearts may be set to obey your will;
and that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies,
may pass our time in rest and quietness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.