Good Monday morning, “Check D” disciples! The snow is gone. I hate that we were iced out of last week’s Wednesday prayer time, but I look forward to this Wednesday’s 6 p.m. gathering.

We will practice some prayer techniques that I have found useful. Without connection to God, we will find it difficult to evangelize.

Back in September of 2022, I attempted to introduce our church to some regular prayer practices, although I’m not sure the idea stuck. If you will look at this item on my currently dormant Methodist Life site, you will see where I gave an initial explanation of a way to pray three times a day. That article launched a prayer guide that ran for a month.

At the bottom of that article, there also are links to what I wrote in 2020 about how breathing relates to prayer. I would encourage you to look at those, too.

And I will keep asking that same question: Who around you can you reach with the message of Jesus Christ right now? I’m praying you all have an astonishingly blessed week.

Thought I would give all you “Check D” folks a little guidance on tonight’s 6 p.m. prayer gathering. That way, we can prayerfully consider what we bring to the group tonight.

First, if you had a chance to go through the spiritual gifts test I sent earlier, you may have discovered something interesting. We will take some time to pray about gifts and how we are called to use them.

Second, I hope you will consider whether you have any deep hurts or other impediments that make deeper discipleship difficult, knowing we will lift up specific prayers in that area, too.

Remember, we pledge ourselves to keep confident what is discussed in our gatherings. Also, there’s no pressure to discuss anything specific unless you genuinely feel called to do so. And one last thing to remember: If we find a seeker among us, someone who has not yet committed to follow Christ, we will immediately switch gears and talk and pray more about the basics of belief.

May your entire day be a blessing!

Pastor Chuck

I realize the same day and time probably aren’t good for everyone, but if at all possible, I want to encourage you to begin by attending our 6 p.m. prayer time on Wednesdays. Facing the church, it is the room on the left that can be entered directly from the parking lot.

Obviously, we need to begin our journey with prayer. This also will become a natural place to invite the “seekers” we know, the people who don’t know Jesus Christ but want to explore what it means to be a Christian. The time will be quiet, reflective and end with communion.

Remember, if you need to communicate with me, don’t use the church texting number. Use my cell phone number, (423) 491-0506, to call or text me. You also can email me at cwgriffiniii@gmail.com.

Blessings on you all!

I am an elder in the Global Methodist Church, currently serving as pastor of Holston View Methodist Church in Weber City, Va. Before entering professional ministry, I  worked in journalism and public relations.

Feel free to contact me via e-mail. I am a resident of Northeast Tennessee. Most people call me Chuck.