Our Prayer Life Reveals Our Theology
During the summer months, CrossPoint Community Ministry (CPCM) is studying Will Mancini’s Church Unique. Mancini reminds us that seeking God’s vision for our church isn’t merely a strategic exercise—it is fundamentally prayerful. A vibrant prayer life both evidences and cultivates our personal spiritual formation, guiding us toward Christ-like maturity. When we are shaped by Him through prayer, Scripture, and fellowship, our lives naturally become magnets for seekers. Yet one unmistakable indicator of our spiritual health remains: our devotion to prayers.
As the 5th century theologian Prosper of Aquitaine taught the early Church:
“Ut legem credendi lex statuat supplicandi”—
“Let the law of prayer establish the law of belief.” In other words,
“By seeing how you pray, I will know what you believe.”
At our 2022 congregational meeting, CPCM cast a bold vision: to multiply attendance at our weekly prayer gatherings two- or three-fold. We believed that drawing more brothers and sisters into corporate intercession would deepen our communal walk and amplify our witness—after all, intercessory prayer embodies Christ’s command to “love one another” (John 15:17b). Yet this past Wednesday, only five of us gathered—and the week before, just three.
These numbers aren’t merely statistics; they reveal our theology and priorities. If our schedules are so crowded that praying together doesn’t even make our calendars, we must ask: What activities are crowding out our communion with God and with one another?
Mancini exhorts every church to live out its unique identity in all facets of ministry. For CrossPoint Community, we should not be defined by programs or attendance figures but by a congregation saturated in prayers. When guests enter our sanctuary and hear earnest petitions for healing, justice, and witness—they experience practical theology in action. That reality cannot be manufactured; it flows from a people committed to kneeling together.
Scripture urges us:
“Pray without ceasing.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:17
And it reminds us:
“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
So let us take a hard look at our rhythms. Can we rearrange our daily routines to honor Wednesday-night prayers? Can our gathering always starts with honest confession, intercession, and an invitation for God’s presence? Can we truly care for one another by listening well and praying faithfully?
When we give up even a small margin of convenience for corporate prayer, we reinforce Prosper’s truth: our theology is first stated not in a creed, but in our practice of prayers. As our personal lives become marked by regular, expectant conversations with God, we position ourselves to welcome those who long for authenticity and depth of faith.
CrossPoint Community’s uniqueness is not found in our building or our budget, but in our dependence on the living God. Let us recommit to gathering together, laying aside distractions, and praying until our hearts align with the divine visions. In doing so, we’ll not only fulfill our 2022 goal but also embody the reality that our prayer life truly reveals our theology.
This Week (July 11 ~ July 17, 2025)
- This Friday night, July 11, 2025, the Living Stones Fellowship will resume Bible Study meeting from 7:30-9:30 pm on “Bible Studies for Life, Spring 2025” session 4 “God’s Hand in Restoring Lives” (p 109-115). Tim(online) and Marina (in person) will be the discussion facilitators. Marina will also provide worship songs. Please read 2 Kings 5:1-19 as preparation for this session.
Join in person in Room A-218 or online via the following link at 7:30 pm:
https://zoom.us/j/685376249?pwd=cWtyUk1pckJiRHJxZVZCSGdJZWw2UT09
Meeting ID: 685 376 249
Password: 840840
Join by phone: +1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
2. CrossPoint Community Sunday School meets this Sunday, July 13, in the Fellowship Room (A-202). We will continue exploring the book “Church Unique” by Will Mancini. Min. Charles will lead the sharing and discussion of Chapters 9&10. We will use the following link for those who wish to join online this Sunday:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/491248585?pwd=RnpLcnpjQ01nTGZLSmhaZ3l4L3dKQT09
Meeting ID: 491 248 585
Password: 403767
Join by phone: +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
3. Sunday Worship Service, July 13, 2025, at 11:25 am, Pastor Sean will be sharing with us from 2 Peter 2:4-10a “When God Draws the Line.” Join us for worship at the CBCGL main Sanctuary.
Text: 2 Peter 2:4-10a
Title: When God Draws the Line
Tube: https://www.cbcgl.org/live-stream/
Worship song list:
4. Prosper of Aquitaine said, “lex orandi, lex credenda!”
Each Wednesday at 7:45 pm, you are invited to join our weekly
prayer meeting. We will not grow in Christ without growing in
our dependence on God through prayer. In July, we will be
praying with a focus on praying for our nation and community:
The link is found below in the section on prayer.
https://zoom.us/j/758587937?pwd=aS9sZUdxcm1janNNM2I2aXJ6Smx2QT09
Meeting ID: 758 587 937
Password: 030086
Join by phone: +1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
Other Announcement:
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1. The theme for church since 2023 has been “Blessed to be a Blessing”. How have you been blessed by God? In what ways are you a blessing to others?
2. 2026 – 2027 Deacon Nomination
The following seven Deacons/Deaconesses will finish their terms of office at the end of 2025.
Alan Lam (Deacon Chair)
WenDer Wang (Treasurer)
David Wong (General Services)
Louise Pong (Cantonese Ministry)
Rick He (Youth Ministry)
Shiping Geng (Mandarin Ministry)
Shufen Chen (Global Mission)
The Council unanimously agreed to establish the Deacon Nomination Committee to be responsible for the nomination of Deacon/Deaconess candidates for 2026 – 2027. If you would like to recommend a possible candidate, please contact any of the following nomination committee members.
Pastor Sean Lee
Elder Ming Chiang
Deaconess Shufen Chen
Deacon Shiping Geng
Brother Jecko Li
Brother Bob Chen
Please pray for God’s guidance in finding the appropriate candidates to be the Deacon/Deaconess for 2026 – 2027.
3. Starting 6/22/2025, CBCGL will temporarily stop providing lunch. Lunch service will resume on 9/7/2025 after the Labor Day.
4. Youth root cellar short-term mission needs your donations on the following items, please drop them off at the GIFT room (A102)
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- Bike helmets,
- Sports balls,
- Chalk
- Bubbles
- Face paint
- Pencils (sharpened, preferred!) or pens
- Spiral or composition notebooks
- 1 or 1.5 inch binders
- Socks
- Swimming shorts
- Roller skates
- Headphones or laptops
- BJ’s, Walmart and Amazon gift cards (also for Park Night dinner for 75 people)
- Snacks for 85 kids (cookies, granola bars, snack mix, fruit, etc.) They can be packaged or homemade.