Welcome
Welcome to our virtual prayer walk for you to experience at home or as you walk in your own neighborhood. As you view the photo included imagine yourself on the PazNaz campus at the physical station. Please click to expand each station below to find music and text that will guide you through a time of prayer of personal reflection, the ministries of our church, and the needs of our community.
Suggested Song: Wounds by Jordan Feliz
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
Ecclesiastes 3:4 (NIV)
Did you know that there are many types of grief? Grief is the emotion associated with loss. We are familiar with the grief that comes with the loss of a loved one. In these days, we find ourselves faced with grief over the loss of work, traditional schools, gathering together and lifting our voices in song. We also grieve a country that is in turmoil over political affiliations and racial tensions.
What is your grief? As you look at the east entrance to our campus, take a moment to name the thing you mourn. Take your time with this.
Now, place your hands in front of you like a cup that faces the sky. Imagine you are holding that grief there in your hands. Cry out to the Lord about your pain and sorrow and as you pray. It is o.k. to complain about the things that bring us grief. Our crying opens us up to receive from the Spirit. Take comfort in his loving embrace and the words of Psalms 34:17-18.
“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
When you are ready, turn your hands down to face the ground and mentally picture the grief flowing out from you as you give it to God. Let him take it from you and hold it now.
Turn your hands back up towards the heavens in a physical posture of being ready to receive God’s blessing and comfort.
In the coming days you may find your grief inserting itself again in your heart and mind. Remember it is a process and be encouraged by these words from Paul found in Corinthians 12:8-10:
“Three times I begged the Lord to make this suffering go away. But he replied, “My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So if Christ keeps giving me his power, I will gladly brag about how weak I am. Yes, I am glad to be weak or insulted or mistreated or to have troubles and sufferings, if it is for Christ. Because when I am weak, I am strong.”
Suggested Song: Waymaker by Leeland
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
Ecclesiastes 3:3 (NIV)
Can worry make you live longer? We now know that it actually decreases our health. It’s hard not to worry though, isn’t it? Especially in times like these where there are tensions all around and we are encouraged to refrain from gathering together with the very people who build us up.
There is a passage found in Matthew 6:25-34 that is particularly helpful as we face days where we have less than we did and are not sure what the future holds. Reflect for a moment specifically on verses 31-33 which say,
“Don’t worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.”
Can you remember a time when you had less than you thought you needed and found you were o.k. without it? Can you let that memory encourage you today?
As you look at the picture of the Arms Hall Office, think about our pastoral staff and board. These people work to meet the financial and spiritual needs of our worshipping community. They are beautiful examples of people who put God’s work first. In this work, they are often called upon to determine what our church can do without or how to care for new needs as they arise. Spend some time praying for them to discern the best steps for us today. Pray that they will be encouraged in their work and feel the love not only of God, but of us, the people whom they love and lead. Pray for the weariness that sometimes sets in, for their spirits to renewed with the strength that can only come from God.
Consider what you can do to help the work of the kingdom that is being done through the ministries of PazNaz. Are you able to increase your offerings, volunteer to help in some way, or simply offer a kind word to someone on staff? God is in control and taking care of us, let us also remember to take care of each other.
Suggested Song: Build Your Kingdom Here by Rend Collective
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
Ecclesiastes 3:2 (NIV)
Don’t you just love the sound of children laughing? Even the sound of a baby crying is a reason to celebrate, as they express their need, we listen and respond. Parenting and teaching are so often great examples of God’s love for us. Like a loving parent, he wants to hear everything on our hearts, the praises and the doubts, the joys and the sorrows.
As you look at the area where our children played after service on Sundays, remember the Family Life and Preschool ministries. Recall the faces of the children you know. Pray for them in their homes trying to thrive in a world that is disconnected from their peers and their teachers. Let’s lift them up and pray for their mental and physical health.
Proverbs 22:6 exhorts us to teach our children right from wrong, so that when they are grown they will still do right.
Let us lift up those who are caring for our children, both parents and teachers. Pray for them to be filled with ingenuity as they work to teach children. As teachers attempt to impart knowledge without being able to see their students, pray for their ingenuity and wisdom. As parents balance guiding their kids while also working from home help them to do so with focus and patience. Pray for that both teachers and parents be strengthened today and rewarded one day in the future as they see these children grown and stepping into their own role in the Kingdom of Jesus.
Suggested Song: All the Poor and Powerless by All Sons & Daughters
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
Ecclesiastes 3:5 (NIV)
How did you come to know Jesus? Chances are that there was a specific ministry and a person or people who were praying for and helping you in some way.
Reaching others with the message that God loves us and has sacrificed his only Son to save us is a important part of every Christian’s walk and every church’s mission. We are very familiar with the great commission Jesus left us with found in Matthew 28:18.
Jesus came to them and said: I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.
In our work at PazNaz, we strive to increase the Kingdom through helping the homeless, foster children, the poor, and more are added as we become increasingly aware of new cases where justice and mercy are needed.
As you consider the picture of Gilmore Hall and the Welcome Center, lift up the ministries which intentionally seek to reach others through acts of service. These ministries are Church in the Park, Cuba Missions Trip Team, Door of Hope, Helping Hands, Prescott-Ragains Missionary Chapter, Sports Ministries, and Urban Strategies.
- Pray for the leaders to remain focused on the mission of serving and reaching others with the message of God and to not be distracted by those obstacles the enemy will place before them.
- Pray for the finances that are needed in order to continue running the ministry.
- Pray for the volunteers to be encouraged and blessed in their service in this way.
- Pray that the hearts of those being served will be open to hear, see and accept the love of God.
Suggested Song: My Story by Big Daddy Weave
a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
Ecclesiastes 3:7 (NIV)
Once we are saved, we should immerse ourselves in the teachings of God found in the Bible and share our stories of comfort, healing and transformation with one another. In this we are built up and grow in our own spiritual maturity. Peter reminds us of this in 1 Peter 3:16-17:
Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life. Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope. Give a kind and respectful answer and keep your conscience clear. This way you will make people ashamed for saying bad things about your good conduct as a follower of Christ.
What is the story you share to tell others of the glorious work of the Lord in your life?
What scripture holds a significant meaning for you? Why?
Christian education and discussion over not just what we know, but also what we don’t know or understand, is key to our spiritual growth as individuals and as a body. Let the picture of Reed Hall remind you and give you cause to be grateful for those gatherings we have had that have taught us. Let us pray for the ministries we have (and will have) that seek to educate and grow disciples. Pray for the teachers who are limited to teaching through online classes, that they will have ingenuity, wisdom and not grow weary. Pray also for those attending that they will be able to hear what is being taught and find it applicable to their own lives. Some of these ministries are listed below.
- Men’s Bible Study
- Sunday School Discipleship Ministries
- Wednesday Night Connect Groups
- Women’s Bible Studies
Suggested Song: Defender by Rita Springer
a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:8 (NIV)
As much as we are healed and forgiven by God, the enemy seeks to break us down. There is a battle being fought within ourselves always, but during this time many are faced with an overwhelming darkness as we seek to thrive in a time were we spend much time alone.
What is stopping you from being at peace? Let’s acknowledge the internal struggle and receive strength in Paul’s words found in Ephesians 6:10-18.
“Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks. We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.
Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God’s justice protect you like armor. Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Let God’s saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God’s message that comes from the Spirit.
Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God’s people.”
As you view the picture of Lee Chapel, consider who the others are that we should be praying for. We are fortunate to have many language and cultural based worshipping communities. Many of these people have come from backgrounds that have included oppression and war. There the need for prayer may include the letting go of memories that hurt and images that destroy their sense of peace. Let us pray for this, as well as the reach and growth of these beautiful people. As we pray, let’s remember each pastor that has been called to lead them. Lift up the lives and hearts of the following congregations and their pastors:
- ACOP – Armenian Christian Outreach of Pasadena shepherded by Pastor Mano Aguilian
- Cantonese Congregation – shepherded by Pastor Sarah Hong
- Korean Congregation – shepherded by Pastor Tim Lee
- La Fuente – Our bilingual English/Spanish congregation shepherded by Pastor Marcos Canales
- Mandarin Congregation – shepherded by Pastor Min Xiao
Suggested Song: Cornerstone by Hillsong
a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
Ecclesiastes 3:6 (NIV)
The picture above is of the stone memorial we built in memory of July 4, 1976 when God provided PazNaz with the land our campus now sits on. Throughout the Bible there are several instances where the Israelites erected stone altars as a memorial to God’s work in their lives. It has been suggested that this is the imagery that Peter is building on in 1 Peter 2:4-5.
“As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
Find a stone around your home, write on it your treasured memory of PazNaz. Take the stone and display it as a reminder of what God has done and the promise of what he will do.
As we are in a time of transition, let us praise to God in faith for the miraculous work he is going to do in this place. Pray for the pastoral team that is leading and teaching the people of PazNaz today. Pray for our pastoral search committee, that they will discern what characteristics are needed and what qualities may need to be let go in our new Senior Pastor. Pray also for the that pastor who will come, that whomever God wills to be here will accept the call and easily move past any obstacles that may arise. Finally, pray for our congregations to be unified in vision and to build up those that God places in our midst to lead us.
Suggested Song: Rest for Your Soul by Austin French
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
Reflect back to the days prior to Covid-19. What did a typical day look like? What activities were important to you? Did you feel that anything was missing?
Take a moment to think about recent days. Let us move away from anything negative and intentionally focus on the blessings we have received. Is there anything you have now (ie. deeper or new relationships, time to focus on special projects, time to rest) that was missing before?
In Matthew 11:28-30 we learn that Jesus said:
“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.”
Notice that rest begins with an action, the coming to Jesus and letting him pick up the weight we are carrying. Have you ever considered that rest itself is an activity?
Look at the picture of the three crosses in our prayer garden and come to Jesus. As you pray, confess your weariness or restlessness. Be thankful that Jesus is standing ready to carry you through the difficult times. Listen for the Spirit and let him fill you. Pray for healing through rest for yourself and the world around us and for the joy that will come.