From the Pastor's Desk

I hope this message finds you well and holding onto grace, even in the midst of whatever your week has held so far. It’s a gift to be part of a community like ours, where we walk together in faith—sometimes limping, sometimes running—but always moving toward Jesus.

This week, we begin a new sermon series on the topic of prayer. Prayer—not just as words we say, but as the space where we experience the presence of God. Often, we treat prayer like a spiritual duty—something we should do. But what if we saw it as a divine invitation to experience God Himself? There’s a line I love from the Psalms, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10). It’s simple, but it carries a deep truth—prayer begins not with talking, but with presence.

Let me share a little story. A few years ago, I heard a story of a certain pastor who was sitting with an older gentleman from his church who had walked with God for decades. The Pastor asked him what his prayer life looked like now. He smiled and said, “These days, I mostly sit quietly with God. I say less, listen more. Sometimes we say nothing at all, and that’s okay. I’ve learned to enjoy just being with Him.”

Now that story really stuck with me. Prayer is less about performance and more about presence. It’s not about having the right words, it’s about bringing our real selves to a real God. So how do we actually experience God in prayer? Let me offer three simple but profound practices:

Be Honest. God is not surprised by your emotions, your confusion, or even your silence. Don’t filter yourself in prayer. Talk to God like you would to someone you trust with your soul.

Be Still. Carve out time each day—even five minutes—to sit in quiet, without background noise or scrolling. Let silence be sacred. Often, God speaks most clearly when we’re least distracted.

Be Open. Ask God to reveal Himself in prayer—not just to answer your requests, but to be with you. Say, “Lord, I want to experience You, not just talk to You.”

Prayer is not meant to be a transaction. It’s meant to be transformation and the more we enter the presence of God, the more we become like Him.

This week, I invite you to slow down, breathe deeply, and pray in a way that leaves space for God to speak. He is not far—He is near. Let’s seek Him together—with open hearts and listening ears.

Much love,  David Peñate.