A Story of Answered Prayer and Renewed Purpose

A Joyful Update
A few weeks ago, our church began fervently praying for Isaac, whose visa renewal process had hit a daunting roadblock. He was told it might take years before he could even get an appointment—time he and his wife Shona simply did not have, given that they are expecting their second child this summer. Yet, in a remarkable turn of events, Isaac not only received an earlier appointment but also had his visa renewed. We watched God work through improbable connections and seemingly closed doors. Now, Isaac is poised to rejoin his family and our community in just a few short weeks.

This answered prayer reminds us that our faith journey often vacillates between seasons of hopeful waiting and seasons of remarkable breakthrough. We see God move powerfully, and it is both right and necessary that we pause to celebrate and give thanks. This moment of answered prayer encourages us to pray more, trust more, and lean more deeply into who God is.

The Highs, Lows, and Lament of Faith
Of course, we also recognize that faith involves not just moments of celebration but also times of dryness, doubt, and even lament. As a church that endeavors to “worship with our whole hearts,” it’s important for us to remember that seasons of waiting or discouragement don’t negate God’s goodness. Instead, they invite us to journey more intentionally with Him.
In fact, the renewal we seek—whether spiritual or in the nitty-gritty details of life—often begins when we recalibrate our sense of purpose and remember who we are in Christ. One of the most beautiful places in Scripture that addresses this is 1 Peter 2, which speaks to the identity and mission of God’s people.

Who We Are vs. What We Do
In 1 Peter 2, the apostle Peter writes to Christians who were facing persecution and marginalization. They felt beaten down and were tempted to wonder if their faith was truly worth it. Peter doesn’t begin by telling them what programs to launch or which rituals to perform. Instead, he reminds them of who they are as believers and how that identity shapes their purpose.

1. Living Stones Built on the Cornerstone
Peter calls Jesus the “living stone” rejected by men but chosen by God, the cornerstone upon which everything else stands. He then describes us—the Church—as “living stones” that are being built into a spiritual house. In other words, Church isn’t a place you merely attend; it’s a people formed by Christ and knitted together through His Spirit.
This is a crucial distinction. We don’t go to church so much as we are the Church. Our belonging isn’t based on perfectly following rituals or on our moral track record but on being connected to Jesus, the cornerstone. When we abide in Him, we inevitably find ourselves woven into the community of other believers.

2. A Holy Priesthood
Peter goes further by calling us a “holy priesthood” tasked with offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God. In Old Testament times, priests were set apart as mediators between God and the people. Here, the apostle tells every believer that we, too, are set apart to worship God, to serve Him, and to minister to one another.

This truth is wonderfully freeing. If you’ve ever felt like you’re on the sidelines, unsure how you fit in, remember: in Christ, every believer is called to be a vital, active participant in God’s household. Our “spiritual sacrifices” may take many forms—prayer, singing, generosity, teaching, encouragement, or acts of compassion. The point is that each of us is invited to bring the whole of who we are before God.

3. Proclaiming God’s Excellencies
Finally, Peter sums up our collective purpose: we are God’s chosen people, set apart to “proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.” The end-goal of our identity as living stones and a royal priesthood is not personal prestige or mere religious activity. Rather, it is to highlight, display, and celebrate who God is.
When the Church embraces its role as the people of God—rooted in Christ, shaped by the Spirit, devoted to prayer and service—it becomes a living testimony of the Gospel. We gather to worship, learn, and encourage one another, and then we scatter into our communities to extend the grace and love we ourselves have received.

Avoiding Consumerism and Embracing Holy Worship
In a world saturated by consumer mindset—where we tend to evaluate everything by what we “get” out of it—Peter’s teaching reorients us toward a more profound purpose. Church is not a religious product we “shop” for; it’s a holy community, forming and being formed by Christ.

Practical Ways to Live This Out

• Pray and Celebrate Together: Just as we did for Isaac’s visa situation, bring both your struggles and praises to your church family. Collective prayer and celebration remind us of God’s active presence.
• Offer Spiritual Sacrifices: Whether you volunteer in children’s ministry, sing in the worship band, prepare meals for those in need, or extend hospitality in your home, view it as an offering to God.
• Abide in Christ: Cultivate personal devotion through prayer, Scripture, and quiet reflection. The health of the Church body hinges on believers who are individually rooted in Jesus.
• Build Up, Don’t Tear Down: Resist the all-too-human tendencies of bitterness, slander, or division. Remember, we are part of something greater than ourselves—a spiritual house meant to glorify God.
• Serve as a Priesthood: Each of us has unique gifts for the edification of the whole body. Step out, take initiative, and trust God to use you as part of His holy priesthood.

Rooted, Renewed, and Ready
Watching Isaac’s visa come through was not only an answer to prayer but also a powerful reminder that God hears and responds to His children. It calls us to deeper thanksgiving and a recommitment to the truths of 1 Peter 2. We gather as living stones, formed by our cornerstone Jesus, offering spiritual sacrifices and proclaiming His excellencies to the world.

No matter where you find yourself—celebrating a major breakthrough or trudging through a dry season—let this be your reminder: you are part of a holy, living temple that testifies to God’s redemptive power. In Christ, we can confidently face our challenges, celebrate our victories, and find renewed purpose in our shared mission as the Church.

“Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
—1 Peter 2:10

Let us continue to pray expectantly, worship wholeheartedly, and serve sacrificially, knowing that God’s presence dwells among us. May our community be a place where prayers are answered, hearts are renewed, and lives are transformed by the love and power of Jesus Christ.