Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire” by Jim Cymbala. We are posting updates through the PHW Facebook page, but our PHW blog pagehas the discussion posts in full with responses from staff. Just look for the apple on top of the book picture among the blog post pictures and you will find past Book Club entries.
Chapter Four gives a beautiful context to prayer, “During countless Tuesday night prayer meetings I find myself encircled by the sacred sounds of prayer and intercession filling the church, spilling into the vestibule, and overflowing from every heart present.”
I think that Jim Cymbala is getting at an important point. Community is powerful. The Bible tells us that three chords cannot easily be broken. If you have been following along, and are praying for health changes within your life, I encourage you to find people to join you in your prayer. Let’s try for three people.
I learned this while doing The Daniel Plan with Pastor Rick Warren, however, I let it go. The two people I had asked got busy, and I just didn’t muster up the energy to seek out others. I think I should. There is power in numbers and I am short changing the strength that I could have by trying to do this journey alone.
Are you?
I have quickly grabbed a friend to pray for me and with me regarding my health. I have been blessed by listening to their intercession, and knowing that I have someone close by. However, I do need to gather a two others who can be my accountability partners when it comes to health. And I need to continue to pursue action steps, like getting enough sleep and eating enough fruits and vegetables, that are supported through these prayers.
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:12, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
Questions:
1) What have your friends provided you with that you realize you cannot get alone?
2) What are barriers to seeking out close relationships to hold you accountable to prayer and health habits?
3) Are you willing to risk being in community with a few in order to experience more the power of the Lord?
–Joy Williams, PHW Regional Consultant
Partners in Health and Wholeness is an initiative of the North Carolina Council of Churches. PHW aims to connect health as a faith issue. Please visit our website to sign your personal pledge to be healthier, and to find out about grant opportunities for places of worship in NC.
