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Prayer Letter |
Bill
Hamel’s Prayer Letter
May 2008
When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me. Psalm 138:3
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Acts 4:31
The Lord continues to teach me about praying boldly. So often when I pray, it is hesitantly, almost with a whisper, as if by not saying it too loud I can attribute His seeming lack of response to His not hearing. The Scriptures are clear that He hears and responds! When I pray boldly, he answers loudly and I am emboldened further, as the Psalmist says.
Sometimes I wonder if I hesitate because I am afraid of the answers. Am I ready for the place to be shaken? Am I ready for His power? Am I ready for Him to break out of the box I often put Him in? Am I ready for His answer and not mine?
Tim Addington’s recent illness and miraculous healing-plus the incredible transformation of the daughter of one of our staff-has emboldened me. We prayed…He answered! Where do we hesitate to call out to Him? Pray boldly! He will answer loudly!
Thank you for praying for me as I continue this journey of leading the EFCA movement. Please pray boldly because I need wisdom every day! I thank Him daily for you. In April it was obvious that you were praying because I saw Him work in ways that were beyond me. Praise HIM!
THANKS AND PRAISE TO GOD:
Praise the Lord with me…
…for my family – My wife Karen and for our daughters, their husbands, three grandchildren, and two new grandchildren on the way!
…for a wonderful meeting with the EFCA Board of Directors at the end of April. What wonderful servants of God these men and women are! It is a joy to serve alongside them.
…for some wonderful times of ministry during recent trips to district conferences. God is at work in the EFCA around the nation!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
…Karen: strength and wisdom to serve as a wife, mother and grandmother. She excels at all her roles but sometimes grows weary.
…for our children: Eric and Kari (Emma) and David and Krista (Ian and Will) – pray for continued health and energy especially during this time of anticipation of the birth of new babies!
…for my dad. His health continues to decline.
…for the process surrounding the revision of the Statement of Faith. The discussions continue, with the vote on the recommendation at Leadership Conference at the end of June.
…for the search for a new president of Trinity International University.
…for me as I call 25 pastors in May to talk about their lives, ministries and connection to the national EFCA.
Schedule:
May 1 Personal Retreat Day
May 2 Office day
May 5 EFCA Directional Team meeting
May 6 Various staff meetings
May 7 Various staff meetings, travel to Baltimore
May 8-9 World Relief Board meeting, Baltimore, MD; travel to Chicago
May 10 Trinity Graduation Ceremonies, Deerfield, IL, visit dad in Rockford
May 11 Visit dad in Rockford and travel home
May 12-14 Pastor Calls
May 15-16 NAE Denominational Leaders’ Meeting, Colorado Springs, CO
May 18 Speak at Annandale EFC, Annandale, MN
May 19-22 Office days
May 23- Mom’s interment in Fence, WI
May 27 Office day
May 28-29 Pastor calls
May 30 Personal Retreat Day
Thanks for your continued, faithful prayer for me during this busy season of ministry.
Serving Him with Joy,
EFCA National Office: 901 East 78th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55420
952-854-1300 - president@efca.org