The church is the body of Christ and, just like the human body, is made up of many different parts. Each part is vital, and when one part is missing, the body of Christ is not as effective as that which God designed. Many believers around us feel as if being part of the church is not that important, and thus, they disobey the Lord in this way. (Of course, some are unable to participate due to health or work schedules. These are not the subject of this prayer focus.) We are to hold one another accountable. We should be concerned about and reaching out to those who are members of our church but inactive and to other believers who are not a part of anyone’s church. Perhaps VBS will serve as a prompting to some not currently active. The beginning of a new school year is often the time when people rethink their schedules and priorities, making it a good time to extend invitations to people to join us. Let’s pray for them (by name, where possible) and for ourselves as we seek to engage them.

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” -- 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NIV)

“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” -- Ephesians 4:16 (NIV)

“You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and encourage each other. Do this even more as you see the day coming.” -- Hebrews 10:25 (NCV)

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” -- 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” -- James 4:17 (ESV)

WEEKLY PRAYER UPDATE – July 22, 2026

Missions:
Juan Pablo and Sol Herrera – Hispanic ministry in Ponder
Senator Barnes & family – East Asia Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative for World Ventures
Stephen & Sabrina Marshall – church planting in France
Capstone Church, Helena, Montana – Caleb Groteluschen, pastor; Ben Quigg, worship leader

Church:
Planning for starting Mother's Day Out in the fall – registration underway
Determination of need for Meals on Wheels program in Ponder
VBS follow-up
Staff search for worship leader
This week’s worship service, Bible studies, and BodyBuilder groups

Personal Needs:
Spiritual awakening in our community, in our nation
Salvation -- Those on your "Who's Your One?" list
Grief: Darrell Pope and family – death of Shelly
Gene Vaughan – in rehab to regain strength after overcoming bacterial infection; had
procedure on Tuesday to remove kidney stone
Sherry Vaughn (mother of Shai Williams) – under hospice care with breast cancer
Lincoln (2 yr old son of Brenda Davidson's niece) – hospitalized again to deal with an infection at the site of his last surgery related to the brain defect he had at birth
Jill Potter's infant grandson – rushed to the hospital this week; in serious condition
Martha Wyatt – is now at home after recovering from infection
Blake Crutsinger – Ponder coach with fractured skull -- now at home for further recovery
Carolyn Gillespie – is under hospice care, but has improved slightly
Paula Haddix (former member) – was to have had kidney removal May 26, but postponed due to diagnosis of husband's cancer – he's awaiting chemo
Charlotte Hodges (Darrell Pope's sister) – diagnosed with bone cancer
Kerr Broadstreet (Kim's brother) – undergoing more treatment for tumor in shoulder
Those in assisted living/nursing homes: Barbara Nofziger, Mary Alice Benton

Our government leaders
First responders