When the Sermon Became a Prayer

Dr. GreGory Wendell began Sunday’s service by leading Hope Assembly into a powerful reminder about praise, surrender, and giving God our whole yes. The atmosphere was filled with worship as Pastor reminded us that praise has to come from within. It cannot be empty. It cannot just be sound. It has to be real.

He reminded us that we come before the Lord with clean hands, a pure heart, and gladness. Worship is not about appearance or performance. It is about reverence. It is about bringing our humble selves before God and offering Him praise that He can receive.

Pastor also spoke about being all in with God. He called the church to a yes that has joy in it. Not a frustrated yes. Not a reluctant yes. Not a yes that obeys outwardly while complaining inwardly. But a yes that says, “Lord, for Your glory, I will do anything.”

Then, service took an unexpected turn, before Dr. GreGory could begin the message, we received unexpected news. In that moment, Pastor did not continue preaching as usual. The church did not move forward like nothing had happened. Instead, service became intercession. The people of God gathered. We joined hands. We prayed.

And that moment became a living example of what it means to stay connected to God. We do not only praise when everything is calm. We do not only say yes when the day is easy. We do not only trust God when we understand what is happening. When life interrupts our plans, believers know where to turn.

We pray.

We intercede.

We stand together.

We trust God with what we cannot control.

This Sunday reminded us that church is not just a place where we hear the Word. It is a place where we live the Word. It is where praise turns into prayer, concern turns into unity, and uncertainty becomes an opportunity to lean on God together.

And we thank God that Bishop is okay. As we move through this week, let us remember what we experienced. Let our praise be real. Let our yes have joy in it. Let our hearts stay humble before God. And when the unexpected comes, let prayer be the first thing we reach for.