Last week I dismantled the “prayer wall” we set up in the sanctuary.
If you saw it in person you know it wasn’t much to look at—just three foam boards decorated peppered with post it notes. But when I pulled off the first note, the whole thing suddenly felt weighty in a way Styrofoam never should.
Over Good Friday and the National Day of Prayer our church family had filled that wall with hundreds of hand-scrawled prayers:
- Healing from cancer, migraines, and chronic pain
- Rescue for marriages on the brink and prodigals on the run
- Freedom from addiction, anxiety, and depression
- Provision for jobs, tuition, and rent
- Boldness for witness, revival in our city, peace in our nation
I kept reading, stacking the little squares into a growing pile on the floor. By the time I finished, the mix of heartache and hope had me blinking back tears. So many battles inside one congregation—and so much stubborn faith that God still listens.
Three verses rang in my ears the whole time:
- Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God…”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “Pray without ceasing.”
- James 5:16 – “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
The wall is gone, but those commands—and the promises that fuel them—are very much alive.
If you’re looking for practical ways to carry these burdens forward, here are three rhythms I’m experimenting with:
- A Daily Pause
Set an alarm for a specific time (I chose 7:14—a nod to 2 Chron 7:14). When it buzzes, I pray for two or three requests I remember from the wall.
- Mid-Week Check-In - Join our prayer chain at https://my.bbcconline.com - pray for our church family each week.
- Sunday Prayer Corners
After each service a few of us linger up front. No microphone, no spotlight—just an open invitation: Can I pray for you right now? It’s amazing how many walls go up (and then break down) in those five-minute conversations.
Did you slap a Post-It on that wall? Let me know how God is moving. Drop a comment, send a DM, or catch us after a church. Your update might become the story somebody else needs when hope feels thin.
The same God who heard every whispered square of paper still bends His ear toward us today. Let’s keep talking.
Grace and peace - Pastor Sam
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6–7 (NIV)
We have good reasons to be afraid, but better reasons to not be afraid. Here are six practical tips for dealing with anxiety.
First, identify your form of anxiety—learn your triggers and response to worry and stress. Are you nervous, driven, compulsive, irritable, or escapist?
Second, consider your reasons for trust. The Lord is on your side (Romans 8:31). He will remain faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9). He will provide (Philippians 4:19). These are examples of promises that can help you rest.
Third, name your real troubles and anxieties. What do you worry about? What keeps you up at night?
Fourth, identify what hijacks your heart—what captures you so that you forget these promises and actually live in functional unbelief. What is it you want? What do you desire to control?
Fifth, have an honest conversation with God. Name your exact troubles, be upfront about where you go wrong, and earnestly ask him for help.
Last, do what needs doing today. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34). We’re called to trust, and then we’re called to do the calling of today.
The kind of sanity that is the end result of living your life in this way is both simple and complex. It’s not a magic answer, but it is a way forward that allows you to get a grip on your anxieties.
Powlison, David. Take Heart: Daily Devotions to Deepen Your Faith. New Growth Press.
This might be one of the hardest things about being a career pastor. (an announcement I made a month ago)
I get reminded that ministry is seasonal every time I'm in the room at GoshenCRC were elders and deacons meet. In our almost 90-year history, we've had 12 pastors. Typically, we've called a different pastor about every 7 years. And it's worked well. It keeps pastors fresh, and church leaders leading.
We LOVE Goshen CRC. It's a healthy, growing church making a difference in our community. And now I'm on my 11th year here. It's been a wonderful decade of rewarding challenges, growth, and ministry. You all have become our family.
But as the Sutter family started hitting the 10-year mark, we started praying a courageous prayer, asking, "God, show us what's next for the Sutter family?" - "Do you want us here, or is it time to go on to a new kingdom assignment?" (And praying is easy, but saying, "God, we'll go where you send us"... that's hard.)
We've taken a call to pastor Boynton Beach Community Church in Florida, and we're looking at transition sometime this summer. It's a good church with wonderful people and potential. I can use some of what I learned here to help them, and it's a good place for the kids (and for you to visit).
For Goshen folks, I don't expect a lot to change here. Most of the wonderful things that happen here are decisions and work done not by me but by our core leaders. For now, I'm thankful that I've had our elders to pray for and support us - I'm so grateful for them. They are some of my closest friends. We'll miss everyone dearly.
But, especially if you're new, you should know that this is a normal, healthy season in church life. Most of our church leaders have helped lead through the transition process before. Please pray, please be patient as we figure things out. There will be opportunities for you to be a part of decisions that take place in the future (feel free to talk to me, or Scott, or we'll have a lot of discussion). But, I think what's next can be a really good, healthy season, and I'm convinced the best days of Goshen Church are ahead of us as we follow God, give Him glory, and show God's love to people.