Steve Coleman

The Power of Talking to God

BY STEVE COLEMAN

As a pastor, one of the things I’m asked to do on a regular basis is pray. People will ask me to pray for them, over particular needs in their lives. They will email their prayer requests, ask me to deliver a blessing over a meal, and some will stop me in the grocery store to ask me to pray for them. I’m very happy to do any and all of those things. I believe very strongly in prayer. But not only do I believe in it, I also recommend it. As much of an honor as it is to pray for and with people, any believer and follower of Christ has the same access to God’s presence that I do. Exercising that access gives Christ followers two very powerful things: connection to God’s presence and his provisions. I encourage you to review these blessings, and start a new prayer-filled life in which every day, all day, you converse with God in a way that reminds you of his powerful presence and his perfect provisions.

Steve Coleman is an associate pastor and worship pastor at Wildwood Baptist Church in Acworth. 1. Prayer connects you to the presence of God.

Psalm 91:1 tells us, “he who dwells in the shelter of God will abide in the shadow of God.” What a powerful statement. By praying, or talking to God, you are given a spiritual awareness of his presence, and the love and protection that his presence provides. Sometimes, one of the best weapons against fear is taking time to talk to God and to reacquaint yourself with his overwhelming presence. Being connected to the presence of God means you are constantly aware that he is with you. Therefore, when struggles come, you know that your deliverer is already there. When there is darkness, destruction or chaos nearby, you know that he is near. 2. Prayer connects you to the provisions of God.

My go-to Scripture on prayer is Philippians 4:6, which says (in summary), “don’t worry about things; instead, pray about everything.” Taking your provisional needs to God is an acknowledgment that he is the source for all that we need. The more we do that, the more our dependency shifts from ourselves and others as providers, to God as the provider. We need to make that shift in life. If I am my own provider, I have to work at my job in order to sustain my family. With God as my provider, I am free to work at the same job, but as a ministry to others and as an ambassador for him. This perspective can change your outlook and the way you get up in the morning.

Acworth-Cobb Dragon Boat Festival

PHOTOS BY BRITTANY WEIR PHOTOGRAPHY

Oolong Bubble Teahouse employees, Kyaja Powell and Anna Edicott, are vendor supporters.

First place goes to LoLi Thrivers in the cancer survivors race division.

The fourth annual boat race festival returned to Dallas Landing Park on Aug. 21. Local companies, cities and individuals formed 11 teams and competed to support cancer patients and survivors in the community, while promoting an active lifestyle during and after treatment. This year, proceeds from the Acworth-Cobb Dragon Boat Festival benefited Loving Arms Cancer Outreach, a nonprofit founded in 2011 that has helped hundreds of cancer patients. Many community leaders and residents participated, including Mayor Tommy Allegood. After a slow start, Team Acworth made a hearty effort and finished second in the mayor’s cup race division.

Dragon boat team paddles out to compete.

There was a great turnout for the festival, including furry friends like Doja. The Purple Dragons take second place in the cancer survivors race division.