Prayer Update for Small Groups

Practice Prayer – The Week of March 23

Candice Lahey • Connections Pastor
September 6, 2026

5 Minute Read

Life Abundant – Weekly Prayer Update

Your weekly prayer post. Updates from last week and new prayers for today.

A Word Before We Pray

Prayer is not a last resort at Life Abundant – it's a first response. Every week this update goes out as an invitation: to slow down, to intercede, and to remember that we are not a collection of individuals navigating life separately. We are a body. What affects one of us affects all of us. Thank you for praying with us.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." – Philippians 4:6

🙌 Follow-Up From Last Week – Giving Thanks

Before we bring new requests, we stop to celebrate what God has done. These are updates from prayer requests our community lifted up last week:

David & Lena Reyes – David completed his first round of chemotherapy on Friday. The medical team reported that he tolerated the treatment better than expected. David's own words: "I felt carried. I don't know how else to describe it." We keep praying for full healing, and we give thanks for every person who interceded this week.

The Nguyen Family – The family wanted us to share their gratitude for the outpouring of love following Grandma Rose's passing. Meals, cards, and phone calls came from all over the congregation. Son-in-law Thomas wrote to us: "We didn't feel alone for a single moment. That's because of this church." Please continue to hold them as they move through the weeks ahead, when the initial wave of support often fades.

College Students / Spring Finals – Several of our college students checked in this week. The prayers were felt. A few specific notes: Jaylen Morris aced his midterm. Sophia Tran submitted her senior thesis. Marcus Webb - who had been considering dropping a class due to anxiety - decided to stay enrolled and finish strong. Keep lifting our students up through finals season.

Pico-Union Neighborhood Drive – Last week we prayed over the logistics and the volunteers. God showed up. Over 400 lbs of food collected, 180 hygiene kits assembled, and as many of you have now heard, a man named George is visiting church this Sunday for the first time in 30 years. Pray he feels at home the moment he walks through the door.

🙏 This Week's Prayer Requests

For Our Congregation:

🙏 Elena Sousa – Elena was admitted to Cedars-Sinai on Tuesday following a cardiac event. She is stable and in good spirits, but facing a procedure later this week. Pray for a successful outcome, for peace that surpasses understanding, and for her husband Roberto who is by her side.

🙏 The Patterson Family – James and Nicole Patterson are walking through a painful season of marital difficulty. They have courageously asked for prayer and are committed to working through this together. Please hold them with gentleness and without judgment. Pray for healing, honesty, and hope.

🙏 Pastor Andre Williams – Andre lost his father unexpectedly on Monday morning. He is taking bereavement leave through next week. Please pray for his family as they grieve and make arrangements. Cards can be dropped at the Welcome Table and will be passed along.

🙏 Sofia Castillo – Our Women's Ministry Director is navigating an immigration matter affecting a close family member. Pray for a just resolution, for Sofia's peace of mind, and for the countless families in our congregation and city facing similar uncertainties.

For Our City:

🙏 Fire Recovery – Families in Altadena and Pacific Palisades are now eight weeks out from the January fires. The news cycle has moved on, but their need has not. Pray for sustained support, for housing solutions, and for the mental health of children who are still displaced and processing trauma.

🙏 Our Unhoused Neighbors – As temperatures drop this week, pray specifically for the safety and dignity of those living on the streets of Skid Row, Pico-Union, and across our city. Pray for our outreach team as they serve on Saturday.

🙏 Local Schools – Several LA Unified schools in our neighborhood are navigating staff shortages and increased student anxiety. Pray for teachers, counselors, and administrators who are stretched thin and showing up anyway.

For Our Global Partners:

🙏 Pastor Hernán & Iglesia Viva, Medellín – Rapid church growth is a blessing and a strain. Pray for wise leadership, Spirit-led delegation, and genuine rest for a team that is pouring themselves out.

🙏 Hope Community Kenya – As the new classroom block opens, pray for the 140 children who will walk through those doors. Pray for the teachers, for the families, and for the seeds of faith being planted in Mathare Valley.

How to Receive Prayer

Every request we receive is treated with care and confidentiality. You can receive prayer in our community both in-person and online.

In-Person – after each service, there’s an open invititaion to receive prayer from a prayer leader near the front of the church. The folks that you rub shoulders with in your seats are also more than willing to pray with you right where you are.

Online – we can still stay connected when we’re apart. Submit a prayer request here online at anytime. A real pastor is on the other end of the line.

Share Your Prayer Request

Stay connected by subscribing below so you never miss an update.

Subscribe to Small Groups Updates

Up Next

From this Author: Candice Lahey

Currently Reading

September 6, 2026 • 5 Minute Read

Prayer Update for Small Groups

Life Abundant – Weekly Prayer Update Your weekly prayer post. Updates from last week and new prayers for today. A Word Before We Pray Prayer is not a last resort at Life Abundant – it's a first response. Every week this update goes out as an invitation: to slow down, to intercede, and to remember that we are not a collection of individuals navigating life separately. We are a body. What affects one of us affects all of us. Thank you for praying with us. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." – Philippians 4:6 🙌 Follow-Up From Last Week – Giving Thanks Before we bring new requests, we stop to celebrate what God has done. These are updates from prayer requests our community lifted up last week: David & Lena Reyes – David completed his first round of chemotherapy on Friday. The medical team reported that he tolerated the treatment better than expected. David's own words: "I felt carried. I don't know how else to describe it." We keep praying for full healing, and we give thanks for every person who interceded this week. The Nguyen Family – The family wanted us to share their gratitude for the outpouring of love following Grandma Rose's passing. Meals, cards, and phone calls came from all over the congregation. Son-in-law Thomas wrote to us: "We didn't feel alone for a single moment. That's because of this church." Please continue to hold them as they move through the weeks ahead, when the initial wave of support often fades. College Students / Spring Finals – Several of our college students checked in this week. The prayers were felt. A few specific notes: Jaylen Morris aced his midterm. Sophia Tran submitted her senior thesis. Marcus Webb - who had been considering dropping a class due to anxiety - decided to stay enrolled and finish strong. Keep lifting our students up through finals season. Pico-Union Neighborhood Drive – Last week we prayed over the logistics and the volunteers. God showed up. Over 400 lbs of food collected, 180 hygiene kits assembled, and as many of you have now heard, a man named George is visiting church this Sunday for the first time in 30 years. Pray he feels at home the moment he walks through the door. 🙏 This Week's Prayer Requests For Our Congregation: 🙏 Elena Sousa – Elena was admitted to Cedars-Sinai on Tuesday following a cardiac event. She is stable and in good spirits, but facing a procedure later this week. Pray for a successful outcome, for peace that surpasses understanding, and for her husband Roberto who is by her side. 🙏 The Patterson Family – James and Nicole Patterson are walking through a painful season of marital difficulty. They have courageously asked for prayer and are committed to working through this together. Please hold them with gentleness and without judgment. Pray for healing, honesty, and hope. 🙏 Pastor Andre Williams – Andre lost his father unexpectedly on Monday morning. He is taking bereavement leave through next week. Please pray for his family as they grieve and make arrangements. Cards can be dropped at the Welcome Table and will be passed along. 🙏 Sofia Castillo – Our Women's Ministry Director is navigating an immigration matter affecting a close family member. Pray for a just resolution, for Sofia's peace of mind, and for the countless families in our congregation and city facing similar uncertainties. For Our City: 🙏 Fire Recovery – Families in Altadena and Pacific Palisades are now eight weeks out from the January fires. The news cycle has moved on, but their need has not. Pray for sustained support, for housing solutions, and for the mental health of children who are still displaced and processing trauma. 🙏 Our Unhoused Neighbors – As temperatures drop this week, pray specifically for the safety and dignity of those living on the streets of Skid Row, Pico-Union, and across our city. Pray for our outreach team as they serve on Saturday. 🙏 Local Schools – Several LA Unified schools in our neighborhood are navigating staff shortages and increased student anxiety. Pray for teachers, counselors, and administrators who are stretched thin and showing up anyway. For Our Global Partners: 🙏 Pastor Hernán & Iglesia Viva, Medellín – Rapid church growth is a blessing and a strain. Pray for wise leadership, Spirit-led delegation, and genuine rest for a team that is pouring themselves out. 🙏 Hope Community Kenya – As the new classroom block opens, pray for the 140 children who will walk through those doors. Pray for the teachers, for the families, and for the seeds of faith being planted in Mathare Valley. How to Receive Prayer Every request we receive is treated with care and confidentiality. You can receive prayer in our community both in-person and online. In-Person – after each service, there’s an open invititaion to receive prayer from a prayer leader near the front of the church. The folks that you rub shoulders with in your seats are also more than willing to pray with you right where you are. Online – we can still stay connected when we’re apart. Submit a prayer request here online at anytime. A real pastor is on the other end of the line.Share Your Prayer Request

Candice Lahey

Connections Pastor

May 6, 2026 • 4 Minute Read

Job Vacancies

🌿 Join Our Team at Life Abundant LA We believe that working at a church should feel like a calling. What we do here isn’t just a career. At Life Abundant, our staff are ministers first – whether they're on a stage, in a counseling room, or fixing a leaky pipe. If you're someone who loves God, loves people, and loves Los Angeles, we'd love to hear from you. 🙏 Associate Pastor of Congregational Care Full-Time | Pastoral Ministry About the Role We’re looking for a compassionate, grounded, and relationally gifted Associate Pastor to join our pastoral team. This role sits at the heart of what we do – walking with people through the hardest and holiest moments of their lives. You'll provide pastoral care and counseling to individuals and families across our congregation, oversee our grief and support group ministries, and help build a culture where no one at Life Abundant walks through a hard season alone. This is a role for someone who is equally comfortable sitting in a hospital room, facilitating a support group, and equipping lay leaders to care for their communities. You don't need to have all the answers. You need to know how to be present. What You'll Do Provide one-on-one pastoral care and crisis support to congregation members Oversee and grow our existing grief, loss, and support group ministries Recruit, train, and support a team of lay care volunteers Collaborate with our counseling referral network for cases requiring clinical support Participate in weekend services, staff meetings, and church-wide events Partner with Lead Pastor and ministry directors on congregational health initiatives Who You Are Ordained or on a credentialing track (we're flexible on tradition/denomination) 3+ years of pastoral care, chaplaincy, or clinical counseling experience A non-anxious presence in high-emotion situations Deeply committed to the diversity and complexity of our Los Angeles community Bilingual in English and Spanish is a strong asset, but not required Compensation & Benefits Salary range: $62,000 – $78,000 depending on experience - Full health benefits - Housing allowance eligible - Paid study leave - Professional development budget 📩 To apply, submit your resume here. Be prepared to include a brief personal statement of faith, and a cover letter telling us about a time you walked with someone through grief or crisis. 🔧 Facilities & Building Maintenance Technician Part-Time | Operations About the Role A church building is the place where people get married and say goodbye, where kids meet Jesus for the first time, where someone walks in off the street and finds out they're not alone. Keeping that space safe, functional, and welcoming is sacred work, and we mean that sincerely. We're looking for a skilled, reliable, and proactive Facilities Technician to join our operations team on a part-time basis. You'll be the person who makes sure everything works so that everyone else can focus on ministry. If you take pride in a well-run building and you love serving behind the scenes, this one's for you. What You'll Do Perform routine maintenance and repairs across our 18,000 sq ft campus (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, carpentry, painting) Conduct weekly walkthroughs and maintain a proactive maintenance schedule Set up and break down spaces for services, events, and ministry programs Coordinate with outside contractors when specialist work is required Maintain inventory of supplies and equipment Be on-call for urgent facilities needs during weekend services Who You Are 2+ years of experience in building maintenance, facilities management, or a related trade Comfortable with general plumbing, electrical, and carpentry tasks A self-starter who doesn't need to be told what needs doing Physically able to lift up to 50 lbs and work on ladders A valid California driver's license Alignment with Life Abundant’s faith and values – you don't need to be a theologian, but you do need to love what this place is for Compensation $22 – $28/hour depending on experience - Approximately 20–25 hours per week, including Saturday and Sunday mornings - Mileage reimbursement - Employee assistance program 📩 Send your resume and a brief note about your experience here. Feel free to include any relevant certifications or trade licenses. Why Work at Life Abundant? We're not a perfect church. We’re happy to be the first to tell you that. But we are a church that's genuinely trying: to love our city, to build real community across generations and cultures, and to make space for every kind of person to find their way to God. Our staff are some of the most dedicated, warm, and creative people we know, and we work hard to take care of them. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively seek candidates who reflect the diversity of Los Angeles. Questions before applying? Email us. We’re happy to talk.

Candice Lahey

Connections Pastor