Praying for the church

Prepare to Pray

Acts 2:42 (NIV)

 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

We are called to humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways. 

Then He will be attentive to the prayers offered in this place.

2 Chronicles 7:14-15 (NIV)

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. ¹⁵ Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.

Offer praise to God, focusing on His character and attributes.

Examine yourself and confess all known sin.

Pray, seeking His face and yielding to Him.

Church – Its purpose, mission, and commitments 

Pray to be a church (a people) that loves God and serves Him, and that brings glory and honor to His Son, Jesus Christ.

Commit to:

1-Preach, teach, and obey the Bible

2-Live in fellowship with one another

3-Cultivate a ministry of prayer

4-Faithfully worship God

5-Biblically meet the needs of the people

6-Seek to win and disciple

7-Participate in missions locally and around the world

Pray that we would be faithful in all of these things.

The Congregation – The Body of Believers                                       

1 Corinthians 12:24 (NIV)

^…. But God has combined the members of the body…..

1 Corinthians 12:18 (NIV)

But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.

Pray – Thanking God for bringing the congregation together.

The Congregation – Pastor and Elders

 Christ – head of the church

Colossians 1:18 (NIV)

 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

Pray for our pastor as he faithfully studies, that he may give understanding of God’s Word to the people.

            Nehemiah 8:7-8 (NIV)

           The Levites…instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. ⁸ They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.

            1 Timothy 4:13 (NIV)

                Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.

Pray for elders that would shepherd the flock and serve as overseers

1 Peter 5:1-2 (NIV)

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: ² Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve;

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (NIV)

 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.

 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

Pray that the congregation submit to the authority of the elders and obey that their work may be a joy and not a burden.

Hebrews 13:7 (NIV)

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

Pray that the congregation would observe the godly lives of our leaders and follow their examples.

The Congregation  - The Body of Believers  

            John 17:20-23 (NIV)  

            “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹ that all of them may be one, Father, just   as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²² I have given them the glory that    you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: ²³ I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

1 Corinthians 12:25-26 (NIV)

 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.  If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Sunday School/Small Groups 

1. It is important to study God’s Word.

        Joshua 1:8 (NIV)

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

1 Peter 2:2 (NIV)

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

2. It is important to study God’s Word with one another.

Hebrews 5:13-14 (NIV)

Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Pray that we would diligently seek God through His word.

Pray that new Christians would gain insight and wisdom from the experience of those mature.

Pray that the Bible studies would encourage personal daily Bible study, knowing our faith will be strengthened as our knowledge of God and His ways increases.

Pray that these studies will encourage fellowship among one another that is centered on the truth of God’s Word.

Prayer for families

Pray for marriages, that He has instituted and ordained.

Pray for the men, that they would be godly and seek to live a pure life.

Pray for the women, that they would be obedient to the truth and suitable helpers to their husbands.

Pray for the young, that they would grew in wisdom, and stature and favor with God and men.

Pray that our families would line up under His truth and be strengthened.