Dear Church Family,
 
There are many things in life we can plan or prepare for, even work hard toward. We can make wise decisions, have good conversations, extend invitations, serve faithfully, and do our best with what God has placed in front of us.
 
But some of the things we care about most cannot be produced by our own effort.
 
We cannot change someone’s heart; we cannot manufacture spiritual growth; we cannot force reconciliation, create conviction, or make someone become interested in the things of God. We can be faithful, but there are outcomes that belong to Him alone.
 
Paul describes this beautifully in 1 Corinthians 3:6–7: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”
 
I find that both humbling and freeing, that we do not have to carry the burden of producing what only God can do.
 
That is one reason why prayer matters so much. Often, we misinterpret prayer as us asking Him to bless what we have already decided to do. But prayer reminds us that we are dependent on God. It creates room for Him to guide us, redirect us, give us wisdom, and even work in ways we may never be able to see.
 
Maybe there’s someone you have been praying for lately. A family member, a neighbor, a coworker, another parent you see at school or on the sidelines. You may not know exactly what God is doing in that person’s life, and you don’t have to—your part may simply be to pray and take the next faithful step.
 
We have an easy opportunity this month to do just that. Our Fall Carnival is coming up in a couple of weeks on Friday, October 23, from 6–8P at CityRise Bellaire. It’s a super-fun, family-friendly night outside with lots of activities, food, and music. If someone has already come to your mind, I would encourage you to invite them. We’ve made it easy at cityrise.org/textinvite, where you can tap a button for a prewritten text message or simply copy and paste it into your own conversation.
 
We do not know what God may do with a prayer, a conversation, or a simple invitation. But we can faithfully plant and water, trusting Him to give the growth.
 
 
Expecting Greater,
Pastor Roger