Family, 
 

The year is 2023. For us as a community it begins the 8th year for City Life’s story. Entering the season ahead we have been convicted to dream and plan further out. 

Deeper. Wider. Stronger. 

We find ourselves asking questions like, “What would it look like if we dreamt for our kids kids? The City's kids kids? HVN in LANsing, the 517, and the world? Are we letting our first love lead us? What is the pace for the season ahead. 

With that thinking and dialogue there is a sense of reverence that it is all about Jesus. Apart from Him we can do nothing. So let us not assume He has all of our plans and all of me. Carving out time to be intentional to consecrate is the whisper invitation we sense God saying…Come and be with me. 

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I pray in the story God is writing through you that God these 21 days are catalytic in a deep sense of His presence and purpose in who you are, who you are with, and what you have your hands to. 

There is a passage at the end of 2 Timothy 2 (whole chapter is epic btw) that helps frame what type of work as people I pray we say yes to. 

20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 

21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

Who doesn’t want to be useful to the master in His house? 

Every great work seen with the public by our sight has even deeper work of surrender of devotion privately with God behind the scenes. Our audience of one. 

May these 21 Days of Prayer be an INVITE from GOD to let Him form us in the depths of our soul. As a person and a community. The “To-do’s” list of life are long, but there is only one task that matters most - abiding. Therefore, we stop and start with stillness. 

May we say, “YES GOD,” here I am to BE STILL before you.

Much love in Jesus,



Jerome Vierling
Lead Pastor