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Prayer is not merely an occasional
impulse to which we respond when we are in trouble:
prayer is a life attitude.
–Walter A. Mueller
Life in the inner city has been described by many as
living in a war zone. These are real people living in
this war zone, though: seniors, children, Asian, Hispanic,
White and Black, addicted, disabled, working, mentally ill,
loving parents, immigrants, ex-convicts, model citizens, abuse
survivors, abusers, the hopeless and the hopeful. Each
one is trying to make it the best they know how, and CityTeam
is there to walk with them, whatever their issues. Our
hope is to love them and see them come to a transforming
relationship with Christ and then change the face of our city
with their loving service. It is not easy, though.
It is hard work loving people who have such severe need.
It is hard work when a beloved friend relapses. It is
hard work when the unemployed mom with six kids tells you she’s
pregnant again. It is hard work when the guest in the
shelter who is still drinking gets beat up bad enough to be
put into a coma at Highland Hospital.
Also, pray for the families of the men in our recovery
program whose wives are left to care for the children
while they get help. Also pray for the volunteers
who conduct daily worship services for our homeless
guests — and for the safety of teams who reach
out to the homeless who live under bridges and freeways.
But we don’t give up.
Not because we can change the world, but because God can
change people. We have seen it happen time after
time. The only way this happens is through prayer.
Not just prayer that cries out when bad things happen,
but also prayer that quietly covers the work and celebrates
the successes. Your prayers.
We invite you to join us in praying for CityTeam
Oakland and the work God is doing there in people’s lives.
Here is a suggestion for praying for us through the week.
Sunday – Clients: Our clients in the recovery
program, in the shelter, at the clinic, receiving food, getting
a coat, or in any other capacity, need prayer for change in their
lives. Pray for their immediate needs to be met, and for
others to come alongside them to support and encourage them.
Pray for long-term transformation in their hearts, and in
their families.
Monday – Staff: With only five paid staff
and five volunteer staff, there is much work for everyone to do.
Please pray for health for the staff, for stamina, for discerning
and sensitive hearts, for reliance on God, for wisdom and safety in
personal matters, and for their family situations.
Tuesday – Volunteers: These precious
people are the hands that make things happen. Please pray
for us to continue to improve our volunteer system, and to connect
with the right people. Pray that the volunteers will be and
feel effective, and feel our appreciation.
Wednesday – Finances: As a non-profit,
we rely totally on private donations. Please pray for a
development officer who will minister to our donors, keeping them
in the loop and share the stories of CityTeam. Please pray
for those who give financially that they will be able to continue
to do so and that more would join them.
Thursday – Donations: We rely on hundreds
of thousands of dollars worth of “gift-in-kind”
donations throughout the year. These range from clothing to
vehicles and keep the mission moving. Please pray for
increased partnerships this year to meet the increased need.
Friday – Building: Our building is old
and always in need of repair. It is also located in a
neighborhood that is shifting demographics. Please pray for
help with significant repairs to our building, as well as continued
good relationships with the City and our neighbors. It is
also our desire to move some activities out into the community,
so please also pray for those opportunities.
Saturday – Partnerships: There are
key businesses and organizations that are wonderful partners for
CityTeam. Partners like the Alameda County Community
Food Bank are non-profits struggling with the same challenges
we are. Please pray for them and our relationship with
them. Others like World Savings are “angels”
to us, blessing us with gifts, volunteers and exposure.
Please pray that they would be blessed and our relationship
would continue to thrive.
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