Praying For The Church

*Ask that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give the members of your church the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward you who believe (Ephesians 1:17-19).

*Pray that the members of your local church would speak evil of no one, avoid quarreling, be gentle, and show perfect courtesy toward all people (Titus 3:2). 

*Pray likewise that they would handle confrontations biblically, and that church discipline would be exercised when necessary (Matthew 18:15-17).

*Ask the Lord to grant a spirit of unity in your local church – that you may all be one, just as God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ are one. Pray that the members would be one in God, so the world may believe that Jesus was truly sent by God (John 17:21).

*Beg God to enable your local church to receive the word of God not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, and that this Word would work in those who believe (I Thessalonians 2:13).

*Appeal to the Lord to help your local church be a surrendered church – one that is characterized by following Christ (I Corinthians 11:1).

*Ask the Lord to enable and inspire your church members to use their spiritual gifts to serve each other (I Peter 4:10-11).

*Ask God for His grace in helping your church consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Hebrews 10:24-25).

*John 13:35- Pray for a greater understanding of God’s love~Pray for believers to walk in God’s love towards each other~Pray for the church to have a greater love for the lost~Pray for church leaders to grow in God’s love towards their teams, congregations, and the lost.~Pray for the church to fall more in love with Jesus

*Hunger for righteousness Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. – Matthew 5:6

You can call it any way you like it…hunger, passion, or zeal. This is the fire that burns inside of us.

*Pray that the church stays true to God’s message – and we proclaim it whether or not it’s convenient.

– 2 Timothy 4:2 Lord Jesus, compel us as a church to proclaim Your truth and preach Your message. It won’t always be easy, and it may not be convenient. But Jesus, Your words are life to us. Use Your Word to rebuke us, correct us and encourage us — and let us follow you as we hold each other accountable. Only You can give us great patience and the words to teach. We fully depend on You! Amen.

*Pray that the church would be deeply committed to seeking God in prayer.

– Colossians 4:2 Jesus, twice You cleared the Temple in righteous anger, because Your house was to be a house of prayer. Help us not to take that lightly. Lord, direct us to our knees, and seal our commitment and desire to be devoted to communing with You in prayer. Let our church be known as a house of prayer. Keep us awake, alert. Fill our hearts with joy no matter the circumstances as we come to You as a church body in prayer. Amen.

*Pray that the church will boldly share Jesus — the ONLY way and ONLY hope!

– Acts 4:12 Savior, fill us with Your Spirit to boldly proclaim there is salvation in no one else but You! Through our church, shout Your name, lift up Your name for all to hear and all to see. Jesus, Your name is above all names. Only You can save! Keep us committed to sharing Your salvation and Your beautiful, wonderful, life-changing, eternity-altering name. Compel us to boldly speak Your name! Because of Your Name, and in Your Name we pray, Amen.

*Pray that the church will worship, adore and praise God, in spirit and in truth.

– John 4:24 Lord, forgive us for worshiping what is not You. Direct our hearts to understand the fullness of Your character, Your heart, and Your truth. Open us up to fully live out our adoration of You, as a church family. Help us to honor You with our lives, and within the life and ministry of the church. Teach us how to worship You in spirit and in truth. You are holy, You are righteous, and You are absolutely worthy. Amen.

*Pray for the church leaders to follow Christ, and serve humbly. Pray for protection of their witness and example.

– 1 Peter 5:2-3 God Almighty, we lift up our church leaders to You. We pray for our pastors and ministers, elders and deacons, teachers and ministry leaders. Instill shepherd hearts in them. Inspire them to dig deep into Your Word and root their lives in You alone. Protect their families and time with their families. We pray for humility as they lead, pouring out Your grace and generosity in them and through them. Preserve their witness – lead them as they walk with You, and give them the capacity to showcase Your love, mercy and forgiveness. Provide accountability as they lead us, and compel us to be faithful to stand in the gap for them. We praise You for the leaders You have raised up in this church! Amen.

*Pray for the church’s dedication and perseverance to press believers onto maturity in discipleship.

– Colossians 1:28-29 Jesus, we confess as a church that we want to know You more. We commit to prioritize discipleship, to actively participate in the study of God’s Word, personally and corporately. God, come alongside us, and mold and make us to become more like Jesus. May our leaders labor and strive to present this body mature in Christ. Help us to grow! Give us a passion and zeal for the Bible and prayer — feed us, strengthen us and move us when necessary so that we are men and women of faith, full of grace and truth. Amen.

*Pray for more servants to join Jesus in His Kingdom work.

– Matthew 9:37-38 Savior, open our eyes to the harvest before us. Lead us as a church to go out in the fields and get to work. We pray that you raise up men, women and children to make disciples here and around the world. Show this church how to be involved in Your Kingdom work, and motivate us to get to it. You are our Lord — and we will follow You! May your Holy Spirit give us the power to preach the Gospel to all creation, to make disciples of all nations, to care for the widows and orphans, to be Your hands and feet. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

*Pray that church leaders prepare and equip believers for service.

– Ephesians 4:11-12 Lord God, encourage our church leaders – and reinforce their calling and commitment to serve You. Give them the wisdom, knowledge, fortitude and zeal to train and equip the believers to be the church. Pour into them, and guide them as they pour into us. Lord, You are the master builder, and we pray that You supernaturally gift our leaders to build up the body of Christ. Amen.

*Pray that the church clings to its first love.

– Revelation 2:4-5 Jesus, we can only love because You first loved us. You gave Yourself for us. We are YOUR body. We are nothing without You. Do not allow us as a church to take You or Your message of redemption for granted. Deepen our love. Show us how to love. We proclaim as a church that we love You!! You are our God! We want no one but You! Show us where we have failed. Bring us to repentance. Forgive us! You are our first, and only love, dear Jesus.

*Pray that the church will trust Jesus to grow the church, in His way and in His power.

– Matthew 16:18 Jesus, build us, strengthen us, grow our faith. This is YOUR church. You created us. We are Yours. Use this church as YOU will, not as we will. Do what only You can do. We claim this promise: the forces of Hell will not overcome Your church. We stand in faith, covered in Your armor and armed with Your Word. You are our source of life and strength. We find sure footing, security and victory in the all-powerful, supreme King of Kings and Lord of Lords — Our Savior Jesus Christ! It’s in Your almighty name we pray, Amen.