Father, today I leave for Seattle to serve your people at Evergreen Community Church. And today I do my devotions as I have done for 30 years. Today I read the story of my favorite church in the book of Acts: Ephesus. I love Acts 19. Thank you for planning that I would read it today.

Last night I walked through our empty home with a lump in my throat. I watched the moving truck pull away. I leave behind my daughter and her husband whom I love. I have friends here in Colorado Springs that are like my family. I don’t like the tyranny of space on this planet that forces us to say “good-bye.”

And then I read the words of Acts 19 and my spirit begins to pray. Lord, at Bothell, Washington, please do it again! I take the phrases of Acts 19 to form my prayers.

1. The Holy Spirit came on them. Lord, create hunger for the Holy Spirit in your people and fall on us.

2. They had discussions daily. Let our hunger for your word bring us to seek you daily in the Temple courts.

3. They saw extraordinary miracles. Let the miracle working power of Jesus be at work so we may speak boldly.

4. Evil spirits left them. Let your people hate nothing but the devil and fear nothing but sin. Let it be dealt with openly and incisively and let satan flee.

5. The name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. Let the radical devotion of your apprentices bring glory to your name.

6. They openly confessed their evil deeds. Create a climate where it is safe to process sin and to walk free from it.

7. And as a result of all of these things, let the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power in Bothell and beyond. Amen.