Praying for the impossible

Voleer Thomas
·3 min read
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As people face hardships and difficulties, the pastor of Bartley Temple United Methodist Church (BTUMC) encouraged parishioners to pray for the impossible as they seek breakthroughs in their lives.

The Rev. Mary L. Mitchell, senior pastor of BTUMC, began her sermon during the Sunday morning worship service at the church at 1945 NE Eighth Ave. by reading scripture from Ephesians 3:20.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us," Mitchell read.

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She then told parishioners that "God is able to do just what he said he will do. He will fulfill every promise he gave to you."

Some people are praying without faith and don't expect anything good from God, and have been told what they can't do, or to not get their hopes up or their ideas are too lofty, Mitchell said.

"Many believers have given up on God even when God hasn't given up on them," Mitchell said.

Nothing is impossible for God and nothing is too hard for God, Mitchell said.

"We need to stop putting limits to what God can do," Mitchell said. "God can do more than what we ask and can imagine. God will do it in a way that you will know without a doubt that it is God. You should not only believe it, but you should be walking in it and living in it."

Sunday was the second Sunday of Lent, which is an observance commemorating the 40 days Jesus Christ spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptation from Satan. BTUMC members are fasting from food, social media and other things during Lent, Mitchell said.

"Pray for the impossible and watch God deliver you," Mitchell said. "He may not come when we want him, but he will come right on time. Believe without a doubt that God can do it. Not in your time, but in his time. God wants to bless you in this season and bless you without measure, but you have to trust in God and what he says he will do."

As you are waiting for your breakthrough, do not feel defeated and weary because God is working it out in his time behind the scenes, Mitchell said.

"While you are waiting for God, the devil will be a distraction," Mitchell said. "You have to be able to push back that doubt. You say you trust God, so allow him to make a way. Trust God that all things work together for good. Know that weapons will form, but they will not prosper."

The altar prayer was led by Assistant Pastor Christopher Worlds.

"We pray for those dealing with the effects of the weather and the sick," Worlds said. "We pray for those who have given up all hope and we pray you pull the veil from their eyes to see. Remove the bitterness and soften their hearts so they know peace. Remove the fog of anger and resentment and allow us to continue to hold onto your unchanging hand."

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Bartley Temple UMC in NE Gainesville encourages members to trust God