We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you. Col 1:3

I pray that you were blessed in wonderful worship as you gathered at your local church this past Lord’s Day. I have noticed that some of our local churches were not able to gather for worship and opted to minister without gathering in-person. However, whether God’s people come together to worship in a local assembly place or gather from a distance, we are instructed in the word of God “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” (Heb 10:25). Distance gatherings are not new to the church. Early church gatherings were a time of fasting and prayer, oftentimes in households. The scripture passage reminds us that whether we gather together in a local assembly or not, we ought to be “praying always” and “give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Prayer of thanksgiving for fellow believers ought to be part of every prayer. “Give thanks to God” for their belief in the gospel for salvation and rejoice that you are joined with them in the body of Christ. Pray that their “faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have” (v.4) will be obvious to others as “marvelous light” (1 Pet 2:9) in darkness. My friend, be encouraged that God loves you and has many a bowed knee lifting prayers before Him today. Join the gathering of the saints today and pray for your community of believes, your local pastors, church leaders, families, and church ministries. Be so encouraged to “turn your eyes upon Jesus” (Baptist Hymnal) and allow Him to draw your gaze toward heaven that you will see “the Light of His glory and grace.” Pray for others while you are apart, and rejoice and “give thanks to God” on the occasions when you able to join together in a local assembly. Father, thank You for those who live by faith in Jesus Christ. I pray that they are encouraged and strengthened in “faith” and “love” for the Lord Jesus. Until we can meet again. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.