Praying for the Local Church

Okay, so that was a slightly longer nap than I intended after church. Sunday afternoon naps are a tradition I inherited from my father. Anyway, here are the prayer suggestions from the Church of the Resurrection conference the staff attended last week-end. (The ones I promised in church that I would post after my nap.)

I hope you will join us in praying for these concerns. Bill Hybels (founding pastsor of Willow Creek Community Church) often says "the local church is the hope of the world." I believe that because the local church is where the power of God is formed in people and where people organize to change the world.

Sunday - Passionate Worship

Lord, we pray that churches across the globe would have an awesome encounter of worshiping you in spirit and in truth today (John 4:24).

Monday – Calling Young People into Ministry

Lord, we pray that you would raise up laborers for the harvest (Matthew 9:37-37). And specifically we ask you to raise up young clergy in America and call them into the ministry of the local church.

Tuesday – New Churches

Lord, we pray that You would raise up new churches in America in places where there is no vibrant witness for the gospel right now (Romans 15:20).

Wednesday – Ministry to the Poor

Lord, we pray that you would use the local churches to alleviate poverty, stamp out malaria and HIV/AIDS, and minister to the less fortunate and overlooked in the name of Jesus (Matthew 25:40).

Thursday – Renewed Vitality of the Local Church

Lord, we pray that you would bring renewed vitality to the local church (Ezekiel 37) and that you would daily add to your church through professions of faith (Acts 2:47).

Friday – Unity

Lord, we pray for a healthy unity across the community of churches such that the unbelieving world may see and believe in you (John 17:20-21).

Saturday – The Word

Lord, we pray that as the Word of God is preached in our church and other local churches tomorrow that you would bear fruit that will last forever (Isaiah 55:10-11).