West Park Baptist Church

Loving God, Loving People, Impacting the World

Holy Week Prayer Guide 2022

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Jesus invites us to experience life-changing power as we see Him through the eyes of faith. Let’s prepare our hearts in prayer as we focus on the Light of Jesus and celebrate His resurrection during Holy Week.

Palm Sunday

Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-38; John 12: 12-19 
We thank you Lord as we approach this important Passion Week, where you triumphantly rode on a colt into the Holy City not only as King of the Jews but as our coming King. Thank you that our King did not ride in the city on a stallion, but meek and lowly on a colt. Thank you for being compassionate towards hopeless people. The crowds in the Holy City were pleading for salvation from their earthly enemies. The real enemy is not flesh and blood but it is the arch-enemy, the Devil. During this week, the Devil thought he would be the victor, but Jesus crushed his head. Glory and Honor to our King! We are so thankful that the King came not to be served, but to give His life as a ransom for many.

Monday

Matthew 21:12-20; John 12:1-14; Mark 11:11-33           
Hosanna to the highest! Just as the sweet perfume Mary used to anoint your feet filled the air of their home, may our prayer be a sweet aroma of praise to you as you sit at the right hand of the Father. In this solemn resurrection season, unlike the barren fig tree that Jesus cursed, may our lives bear fruit that testifies to your indwelling Spirit in our lives. As we come together to worship you, may our church be a house of prayer that glorifies, honors, and pleases you.

Tuesday

Matthew 21:20-27; Matthew 21:28-23:39; Mark 11:20-12:44              
Thank you, Lord, that the Stone the builders rejected has become the Cornerstone. There is no other name by which man can be saved. As we navigate in this fallen world, help us to look to you as the Cornerstone of our faith. May our hearts be aligned with yours Jesus, so that by your grace, we possess a faith that can move mountains. We are humbled when we consider that you have authority over heaven and earth, and yet you choose us and call us your beloved. We praise you as we sing Hosanna to the King of Kings. You knew what awaited in Jerusalem, and yet you rode the donkey into town in obedience to the Father.

Wednesday

Luke 22:3-6; Matthew 26:14-16
Forgive us Lord Jesus as we are so easily distracted from following you. Judas, your disciple, was possessed by Satan to betray you for 30 pieces of silver. The lure of money and other selfish desires can tempt us too. This fallen world beckons us every day to go astray. Help us to keep our focus on you and to realize our great need for you. Our personal relationship with you is far more valuable than silver or gold or anything this world could offer.   

Maundy Thursday

John 13:12-17, 34; I John 3:16-19a 
To the One who knew that He had come from God and was going to God; to Him who laid aside His garments and took a towel… and began to wash the disciples’ feet; You alone are worthy to mandate, to command, your followers to love in a self-sacrificing way. You gave us an example to live by during that Passover celebration. You want your followers to love not with lip-service but with action! Good Shepherd, help us to love one another in such a way that the world will know that we are members of Your flock.  

Good Friday

John 19; Psalm 22:1-24; Hebrews 10:19-25 
Lord Jesus, God the Son, in whom the very essence of the Holy Trinity exists, you were born into this world as man so that in obedience to the Father, you could lay down your life for man. Your agony was far more than your physical suffering on the cross. You took upon yourself the wrath of God’s justice that our sins might be forgiven and our relationship with our Creator restored. We bless your name as you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life for the world. 

Saturday

Matthew 27:57-65 
Lord Jesus, we can’t begin to imagine what was taking place in the spiritual realm while the body you used in the physical realm lie cold and still behind the sealed stone. We believe that you were spreading the news of your final victory over sin and death among those who had been waiting centuries to hear that good word. While your earthly followers hid themselves out of fear and confusion, your heavenly followers had a joyful celebration because they knew what had taken place. May we, who also share that knowledge, celebrate it and declare it with like passion among those whose hearts are like that sealed stone. 

Resurrection Sunday

Mark 16:1-7; Matthew 28:1-20; John 20:1-21
Father, your gift to us has been opened, complete, and today we celebrate, in awe, the finished work of Jesus. By His resurrection, death was defeated. The grave lost its sting. We have hope and life because on this day, as the angels declared to stunned disciples, and as He, himself, declared to Peter, Cleopas, Mary, Thomas, and all who gathered in a locked room, Jesus is risen. The debt has been paid. Thank you for the Spirit who inspired the writing of the Word and gives us understanding. Thank you that my shackles are gone. Thank you for an empty tomb. Thank you for the mission in the Great Commission. May we shout it from the rooftops, declare it in the streets, and live it out in our lives! Christ is risen!! We praise you for this! And may our lives say, “He is risen, indeed!” AMEN

Global Missions Conference 2022: Prayer Guide

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Missions conference week is an exciting time where everyone feels connected to the cause of global missions. However, we need to foster a culture where prayer is the normal, everyday response to the call of Christ to go to all the world. To pray effectively, how can we start? And for what things should we pray?  

First, start with a time – 9:38.  

It can be either AM or PM or both.  

Why 9:38? It’s a time reminder based on Matthew 9:38, where Jesus says,  

“Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” 

This prayer initiative, started by the staff at ABWE, invites us to intentionally pray each day for missionaries to be sent out into all the world.  

As Pastor Sam Polson recently reminded us, when we pray this, expect God to move in our hearts. God will respond by sending laborers out, but He will likely work on your heart and mine to perhaps send us out in fields he’s prepared for us! 

How to Pray During This Conference 

Much hard work by our faithful staff members has gone into making this week possible. We would ask that you join us in praying some specific requests outlined below, for all our hard work is only possible by the grace of our Lord, and we need His help in every way that this week would be a blessing to our missionaries and church body.  

1) Pray for the Sunday preachers: David Woodard (2/27) and Paul Davis (3/6). Pray that they would depend on the Lord; pray that they would communicate God’s message to West Park. Pray that they would be kept from spiritual warfare and frustrations in ministry that often come and distract from the preparation that goes into preaching God’s Word. Pray that they would be personally challenged and encouraged by God’s Word.  

2) Pray for our missionaries: David and Debbie Woodard, Gary and Marty Crawford, and George Romeos and his son William. Pray that they are enriched spiritually, materially and physically while they are with us. Ask God to supply all their needs, as many face transitions and difficulties right now in their primary ministries. Pray that they would truly reconnect with the pastors and staff at West Park, and that they would be assured of our love for them.  

3) Pray for our church staff. Pray for healthy communication between staff members as they manage many fine-tuned details this week. Pray for their growth in grace and teamwork this week. Ask God to help them manage the communication details, particularly for the communication team. Ask God to help Pastor Joe and Debbie Trotter to oversee the various behind-the-scenes work of serving the missionaries this week.  

4) Pray for our church. Pray that all coming would experience the joy of seeing God work in the world. Pray that we would also be awakened from spiritual lethargy (sleepiness) that is causing us to be apathetic about evangelism. Pray that each person this week would be open to missions and to grow in areas of prayer, giving and going.    

How to Pray for West Park’s Missionaries 

We currently have 23 Missionaries (whether singles, couples or families) as well as the 6 organizations West Park is privileged to support. The money we are able to give is not the most important thing we can share – prayer is even more powerful! If you ask them, missionaries will tell you that they live by prayer. So, how can you pray? 

  • Read 1 Missionary Bio a day, and pray for that missionary. The details they share in their bio help you to know what types of things to pray about: the country in which they serve, the people they are reaching, and the types of ministries they are leading. In one month’s time, you could pray for each missionary and organization 1 time.  
  • Pick up the monthly Missions prayer focus and pray the specific requests that our missionaries communicate to us. The Prayer focus can be found in the Welcome Center, the Grand Foyer, and on the missions table in the passageway where the new church member photos are located.  
  • Pray the scripture for them. Often our requests become routine. As you read God’s Word, pray the Word for our missionaries. Some passages are prime examples of how to pray and give us ready-made requests to take to God. For example, see Nehemiah 1:3-11; Colossians 4:2-3; and 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5.  

WP Stories: Community Groups

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“My experience with the young adult group started in 2020 when Patrick Hobbs gave my mom the Cross Conference invite. I signed up and watched it from home due to Covid-19 and the fact that we couldn’t meet in a large group.

Once we started meeting Sunday evenings again an old acquaintance from high school and church was coming back and wanted to make a young adult group. At first, I kept more to myself because there were a lot of new people that I was meeting, and it was difficult for me. After going for a while, we all started to grow together like a big family. I started to see the Lord open my heart back up and bring me closer to him with this group. I started to go back to church and felt welcomed. Jake and Alli Bishop have opened their home to this group, and I love meeting on Thursday nights. I love this group and I have seen people stop their day and pray for other members of our group. Knowing that we will always have each other in times of need shows that we are a big family with huge hearts and lots of love.”

WP Stories: Community Groups

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“After hearing ABFs weren’t meeting anymore, I approached Patrick Hobbs in the HUB one Wednesday evening to ask about the community groups I’d been hearing about and he mentioned Al Cage had started one along with a few other people.  I told Patrick my family really enjoys when Al Cage preaches and our conversation came to a close.  I left Patrick that night and a few days later Al Cage reached out to Wes and I.

We went to our first community group at Al and Teri’s house.  It was wonderful!  We didn’t know anyone. Before the night was over, we agreed to be the host of community group, meaning everyone was meeting at our house on Sunday nights. As that week passed, I thought “What have I done? There is no way I can host community group on Sunday nights and try to get ready for the work week and the school week ahead”! Let me tell you, it has been such a blessing having this group of people in our home on Sunday nights.

It has blessed our hearts. It has not been a burden in any way, it’s been a pleasure! We laugh, we share, we eat, we pray and we’re still getting to know each other!  That’s been the best part, meeting couples whom we had never even seen at church and getting to know them.  They’re precious and funny and I know they are praying for me.

I invite anyone who is not part of a community group to come to ours on Sunday nights at 6:00 pm.  We don’t have a group name, just ask for Al’s group.”

WP Stories: Community Groups

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“A few people at West Park asked if I was leading a Community Group, before I inquired about it!  I wanted to ‘host’ a lady’s group and the Lord knew exactly who would facilitate!

It is simply amazing how we have grown & love together! Through much prayer, encouragement from each other, tears and lots of laughter. We find ourselves learning & embracing the smallest of details in scripture.

I didn’t know 2 years after my husband passed into heaven, the Lord would give me such an abundance of love & friendships through this group! I’ve always believed your church family is a very necessary, important, supportive & loving gift from Jesus!

Anyone wanting a connection, a fellowship, a community relationship, and to share the challenges and joys of becoming more like Jesus….this is it!

Giving God all the glory!!!!”

Week 4: The Sanctity of Life

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ALL life is sacred, holy, and precious to God. During the month of January, the West Park Prayer Ministry Lead Team would like to encourage our church family to use this weekly prayer guide as we focus on life from the “womb to the tomb.” 

Set a time to do this together with your household whenever possible. One method would be to use the family devotions format. After a meal, or at the time you choose, follow these simple steps:

Step 1. Have someone or several people read the passage(s).

Step 2. Discuss the passage(s) by asking:  What does it say about God and us?  What should we do in response to what we have read?

Step 3. Review what you have learned or have been reminded to think or do based on the passage(s). Take time to turn these back to God in prayer. Praise Him for what His word has shown you. Ask Him to keep His promises in situations in your life.

Step 4. Take time to sing a hymn, song of praise, or spiritual together.

Step 5. Take opportunities to encourage those in your community with what God is teaching you.

Prayer Guide

Week Four – Seniors

Jan. 23 – 2 Timothy 4:1-8

As the world drifts farther away from God and what He has taught us, help us to be faithful and strong to stand on God’s Word. Help us to teach the Word to our children and grandchildren at every opportunity. Open our eyes to see the teachable moments that pop up every day. Help us to purposefully invest the years we have remaining in the lives of others.

Jan. 24 – Luke 2:25-32

The bible records the account of faithful Simeon who watched and waited patiently, expectantly, for God to reveal the Messiah as foretold in the scriptures. Simeon was well-acquainted with God’s Word and immediately recognized when the prophecy came to pass. Let us keep God’s Word in our hearts that we, too, may be aware that God is at work all around us.

Jan. 25 – Psalm 37:25

When we get anxious about our circumstances, when there seems to be no way out, God makes a way! When resources are nowhere to be found, help us to hear the bleating of the ram in the thicket. The experience of the lifelong believer is that God’s timing is always perfect and His supply is more than sufficient.

Jan. 26 – Job 12:12

God’s clear commandment is that we should honor our earthly fathers and mothers that our days may be long on the earth. Help us to submit to the authority of our parents and come to appreciate their knowledge and wisdom, born from experience.

Jan. 27 – Isaiah 46:4

God is all knowing and all powerful; yet He gently carries us even into our final years, as a loving shepherd would a new lamb.

Jan. 28 – ll Corinthians 4:16

God helps us even in our later years to stand strong for Him regardless of the trials we face in our flesh. May our spirits be renewed every day as we spend time with God in prayer and meditation on His Word.

Jan. 29 – Ecclesiastes 12:13

At the conclusion of his life, King Solomon the Wise realized a great truth. He concluded that nothing a man could do was more important than to live a life of reverence for God and to obey His commandments. The sooner in life we learn this lesson the better. May we impress this truth on the hearts of those around us by our words and behavior.

Jan. 30 – Psalm 112:1-3

Let us remember that we are to lay a foundation of spiritual and material blessings for our descendants to help sustain them for the future. May the decisions that we make today not be a burden to our descendants in the days ahead.

Jan. 31 – Psalm 71:17-21

Sometimes it is difficult for senior adults to keep up with changes in society and technology. May we be protected from those who seek to do us harm through technologies that we do not fully understand. We know that God is not finished with us yet, so let us be active learners that we may communicate His unfailing love to our families and peers who need guidance and encouragement.

WP Stories: Community Groups

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I’ve been a member of West Park since 1990, but the last several years were hard times for me. I had strayed away from the Lord and West Park. When things started to improve in my life, I felt the Lord calling me back.

Since being back I have renewed old friendships and joined a community group. It was the best thing I’ve done in my life for years. The people in my group have helped me so much. I have learned so much about praying and my devotion time with the Lord. Also, I am now more open with people and am no longer uncomfortable in speaking up in our group discussions and praying.

Today, I am back where I need to be with the Lord Jesus in my life. My community group is the main reason.

A Personal reflection for Martin Luther King Day- 2022

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I have a hobby collecting the writings of Dr. Martin Luther King.  One of his most impactful writings is his 1963, “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”.   Of the many notable things Dr. King wrote, the following resonates often with me:

“Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will.”


“Understanding vs. misunderstanding.” “Good will vs. ill will.” “People vs. people.”

I grew up in the Jim Crow era of institutionalized segregation in Louisiana.  I was nine years old when Dr. King was assassinated in 1968.  It was not until 1998 that the last vestige of legalized segregation was finally struck down by the courts in my home state.  By that time I had transitioned to living in Tennessee, and in the most unpredictable of circumstances, I inexplicably became a member of West Park Baptist Church.

Since becoming a covenant member of WPBC, one of the things that I have come to love and appreciate deeply is this:  West Parkers are by far people of love, understanding and good will!

That makes all the difference in the world to me. Why?  Because of…

“Understanding vs. misunderstanding.”  You know what drives the gulf between these two extremes?  It’s not facts or a stronger position.  It’s much simpler than that.  It’s about “five seconds”.  That’s the amount of time it takes to make the choice to listen or not.  When you are in the right, and your brother (or sister) is wrong, the first step to helping them move to a better place is to demonstrate that you are willing to listen.  Listening enriches dialogue.  We desperately need more dialogue.

“Good will vs. ill will.”  How have we allowed this gulf to become so wide in the Church of Jesus Christ?  We must reclaim, and own, the sphere of good will.  Good will is a fruit of the love that Jesus declares is the greatest of all—that we would lay down our lives for one another.  I am afraid that if Jesus came back at this moment, he would declare how have you become people of ill will vs. good.  We must continue to fight to reclaim this space.

“People vs. people.” “Imago Dei” Made in the image of God.  First used in Gen. 1:27, this little phrase represents a powerful truth.  When people are divided because of sin, it stains the beauty of God’s design.  People of understanding and good will are resolute in their desire to stop pitting people against people.  When Jesus declared what does it profit someone to gain the whole world and lose their soul, I think of the evil fruit of people vs. people. 

So as we think about Dr. King’s vision, we certainly have come a long way.  And while there is still a long way to go, if people, united by understanding and good will, resolve to live in the hope that we have in Jesus, progress will continue to the glory of God.  It’s a legacy Dr. King would appreciate.

Week 3: The Sanctity of Life

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ALL life is sacred, holy, and precious to God. During the month of January, the West Park Prayer Ministry Lead Team would like to encourage our church family to use this weekly prayer guide as we focus on life from the “womb to the tomb.” 

Set a time to do this together with your household whenever possible. One method would be to use the family devotions format. After a meal, or at the time you choose, follow these simple steps:

Step 1. Have someone or several people read the passage(s).

Step 2. Discuss the passage(s) by asking:  What does it say about God and us?  What should we do in response to what we have read?

Step 3. Review what you have learned or have been reminded to think or do based on the passage(s). Take time to turn these back to God in prayer. Praise Him for what His word has shown you. Ask Him to keep His promises in situations in your life.

Step 4. Take time to sing a hymn, song of praise, or spiritual together.

Step 5. Take opportunities to encourage those in your community with what God is teaching you.

Prayer Guide

Week Three – Adulthood / Justice & Unity

Jan. 16 – Romans 2:9-11

May we treat all people as those made in the image of God. Help us as believers to regard everyone as being worthy of love regardless of their race, ethnicity or socioeconomic background/status.

Romans 12: 9-18

May our fellowship with the Father be reflected in our fellowship with my brothers, sisters, and others that I interact with daily. Otherwise, we are in opposition to the Father. Help us as believers to understand that we must attempt to reconcile our differences, as much as possible, when conflicts arise.

Jan. 17 – Micah 6:8 

God has called us to himself because of His unlimited grace; thank Him for unmerited favor. May I show the same grace, mercy and love to those around me.

Deuteronomy 6:20-25

We remember the blessings and the difficult times that God brought us through during our childhood and teenage years. These experiences made us who we are today. Let us share those things with our children so they can know the faithfulness of God. We know that a reverent fear of God will always be for our good. 

Jan. 18 – James 2:1-4

We are commanded in the Word to show no favoritism. Rich and poor come before God with equal standing and in need of the same mercy and grace. May God help us to be obedient in responding to those around us with equality.

1 Peter 3:8

Forgive us for being haughty in our actions toward others. We know that the only way those around us will come to know Jesus is by seeing us as sympathetic, tenderhearted and humble in all our ways. We do not have an excuse for mistreating anyone because God has made us reconcilers to those who do not yet know Jesus. 

Jan. 19 – Colossians 3:14,15 

May God help us to love as He loves so that we can live together in unity and harmony bringing God glory.

Ephesians 5:25

The Father has tasked the husband with an awesome responsibility to be a leader in the home and especially a lover of his helpmate. God has compared the relationship of the husband in the home with the wife to our relationship of Christ and the Church. Let husbands not take this role lightly, and ask God to help us to better understand the giving of ourselves for our wives. It is sometimes difficult to place our wives and others above ourselves.

Jan. 20 – 1 Corinthians 1:10

As believers in Christ may we have a testimony before the world that shows perfect unity.

James 3:17-18

May we understand that the fear of the Father is the beginning of wisdom. This fear is not a fear of terror but reverence. When we are at peace with the Father we can become a conduit of peace, gentleness, open to reason, mercy, good fruits, impartiality, and sincerity to those in our family, church, work, and daily encounters.

Jan. 21 – Deuteronomy 24:17

May believers ensure that the underprivileged and the marginalized always be treated with dignity and respect and never be deprived of justice. But for the blood of Jesus Christ none are worthy to stand before God. We were all slaves to sin, now redeemed by Jesus.

Psalms 139:1-4

We are aware that nothing is hidden from God, and He is aware of those things treasured in our hearts that are not pleasing to Him. Our thoughts sometimes lack the luster of the cross–redemption, grace, and mercy has faded into familiarity. God is fully aware of our thoughts even before our tongue expresses them. May God reveal those ungodly thoughts to us and give us the ability to abandon them and fill that space with pure thoughts in order to live a holy life that portrays Jesus.

Jan. 22 – Isaiah 40:31

We all know that patience is not a strong suit for most of us. God tells us to wait on Him in all our endeavors. Waiting is difficult for us! The world tells us that if we do not get it now, it will not be there for us in the future. When we wait on the Father our strength is renewed.

WP Stories: Community Groups

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“After about two years in the Sunday morning congregation at West Park, Zane and I joined the Young Adult Community Group in April of 2021. West Park is the first church that Zane and I have both enjoyed and felt comfortable in the worship services and our only hold up before joining the church as members was finding a community: a group of people we related to, could share our life with, and could rely on to listen to us and pray for us. We found that group! And not only have we found the community that we prayed for — the people we relate to — but we’ve also made friends who are different from us. We’ve gotten to know people who have been through circumstances we’ve never imagined. We’ve had the opportunity to pray for and love on our friends who have gone through hardship, and to be excited with friends who have had good news!

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:46-47

In the Young Adult Community Group alone, we’ve seen this verse ring true. We are blessed with visitors and new members nearly every week. One of the biggest blessings in Zane’s and my life is the chance to work for the Heavenly Kingdom and watch it group with this group of people we call friends and family.

If you haven’t found your community within the church family, I encourage to reach out to the church office. That’s what I did! Through the “Contact Us” page on the church website, I explained who we are, what stage of life we’re in, and what we were looking for, and I was pointed in the right direction!”