2/4/26 Mid Week Service

Prayer Service

Tonight we were reminded that the central mission Jesus has given His church is clear: make disciples. Everything else we do—gatherings, programs, generosity, teaching—only matters insofar as it serves that mission.

We saw from Matthew 28 that “make disciples” is the controlling command. Going, baptizing, and teaching all exist to support that one aim. Disciple-making is not just the responsibility of pastors or church leaders; it is the calling of every follower of Jesus.

We talked about what disciple-making actually looks like. Jesus’ method was life-on-life. Disciples are formed through proximity, shared life, and intentional relationships. Much of discipleship happens informally—in conversations, meals, prayer, and everyday faithfulness.

We also addressed the excuses that keep us from obedience. Being “nice” is not the goal. Silence is not love. Eternity is at stake, and the gospel requires words. We are not incapable—Jesus promised His presence, and His Spirit lives within us. This is not about our ability, but our availability.

We were challenged to start somewhere. To fight passivity. To make one invitation. To take one step this week—inviting someone to coffee, into Scripture, into church, or back toward Jesus.

Finally, we were reminded that fruit matters. A barren Christian is a contradiction. Depth is not found in knowing more, but in obeying what we already know. We will be evaluated not by activity, but by faithfulness—by whether we raised others up in the faith.

The question we’re left with is simple and searching: Who is closer to Jesus because of you?

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[b] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

That’s the mission.

So lets talk about some things that are relevent to Matthew 28 and the sermon on Sunday.

What’s something you were really busy with this past week—but at the end of it, you’re not sure how much it actually mattered?

Why do you think it’s so easy for churches—and individual Christians—to measure success by activity rather than fruitfulness?

What stops you from sharing your faith?

How does the idea that ‘niceness is not the goal’ challenge the way you normally think about sharing your faith?

When you have shared your faith, what led you to do that? How did your testimony affect the person you shared with? How did sharing your testimony affect you and your faith?

Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””

In Acts 1:8 Jesus says if you are a believer, you will be his witness. What’s the difference between being a witness and a defense attorney? (A defense attorney argues a case and tries to persuade. A witness simply gives an honest account about what they’ve seen, heard and experienced. That’s all we need to do to share our faith.)

If someone asked you, “Who is closer to Jesus because of you?”—how would you answer honestly today? And what would you want that answer to look like a year from now?

Prayer Service: “Go and Make Disciples”

Text: Matthew 28:19–20 (ESV)

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

UPWARD – Adoration

(Who God is)

Church, we’re going to begin by lifting our eyes upward—fixing our attention on who God is before we ask Him to do anything for us.

Jesus, You are the risen King. All authority in heaven and on earth belongs to You. You are sovereign, victorious, and present with Your people.

You are not a distant Savior who sends us out alone. You promise, “I am with you always.”

Prayer prompts (pray silently or aloud):

Praise Jesus for His authority and power.

Thank Him for His presence with us in every season.

Worship Him as Lord of the mission and Lord of your life.

(Pause for prayer)

DOWNWARD – Submission

(God’s will and authority over us)

Now we move downward—placing ourselves under Christ’s authority.

Jesus doesn’t merely invite us into a suggestion; He gives us a command. “Go… make disciples.”

Lord, we confess that we often want Your comfort without Your command, Your presence without Your mission.

So tonight, we submit ourselves again to You.

Prayer prompts:

Ask God to align your will with His mission.

Confess where obedience has been delayed or avoided.

Surrender your plans, schedule, and preferences to Christ.

(Pause for prayer)

INWARD – Repentance & Renewal

(What God needs to change in us)

Now let’s turn inward.

Father, search our hearts. Reveal where fear has replaced faith. Where comfort has replaced obedience. Where silence has replaced witness.

Forgive us for making excuses. Forgive us for settling for busyness instead of fruitfulness. Forgive us for being more concerned with being nice than being faithful.

Renew us by Your Spirit.

Prayer prompts:

Repent of specific fears, apathy, or excuses.

Ask God for courage and compassion.

Pray for renewed love for lost people.

(Pause for prayer)

OUTWARD – Mission

(Joining God’s work in the world)

Now we turn outward—and this is where we’ll pray through three specific buckets.

Bucket 1: People Who Don’t Know Jesus

(Lost, far from God)

Lord, You told us to go to all nations—but You’ve also placed people right in front of us.

We pray for family members, neighbors, coworkers, classmates, and friends who are far from You.

Prayer prompts:

Name people silently before the Lord.

Pray for open hearts and open doors.

Ask God to give you courage to speak the gospel clearly.

(Pause for prayer)

Bucket 2: People Who Have Drifted

(Formerly churched, no longer pursuing Christ)

Father, we pray for those who once walked with You—or were close to the church—but have drifted.

Bring conviction without condemnation. Truth without harshness. Grace that calls them home.

Use us as bridges back to You.

Prayer prompts:

Pray for prodigals by name.

Ask God for opportunities to re-open conversations.

Pray for patience, humility, and love.

(Pause for prayer)

Bucket 3: Disciple-Making in the Church

(Raising up faithful followers)

Lord, we pray not just for conversions—but for disciples.

Make us a church that doesn’t just gather, but multiplies. Raise up men and women who teach others to obey all You have commanded.

Help us disciple well—in homes, over meals, in small groups, and in everyday life.

Prayer prompts:

Pray for disciple-makers in this church.

Pray for spiritual growth and multiplication.

Ask God who He wants you to invest in personally.

(Pause for prayer)

Closing Prayer

Jesus, You have all authority. You have given us the mission. And You have promised Your presence.

So we go—not in our strength, but in Yours.

Make us faithful. Make us bold. Make us obedient.

For Your glory and for the sake of the gospel.

Amen.