Prayers for my church

by Barbara (Douglas County, Georgia)

Dear Heavenly Father,

I come to you on behalf of my church. I know that many of us are facing a terrible financial crisis of desperate proportions both personal and in our churches.

It seems that the doors of our church are in danger of closing. We do not want this to happen for we have so many talented people who love you and who wish to use their God given talents to help others so that we may help glorify you.

Please guide us in the right direction and give us the strength and wisdom that we need so that we may be pleasing to you.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen !

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By Sandra Higley

1. Pastor – Lord, I lift up my pastor to You. Thank You for his servant’s heart. Keep him from losing heart when ministry gets tough. Help him prove faithful with the things you have entrusted to him. Teach him Your ways so that he knows You and finds favor with You as He leads us. Keep him open and honest before You and help him to represent the truth plainly. (2 Cor. 4:1; 1 Cor. 4:1-3; Ex. 33:13)

2. Elders – Lord, I lift up my elders (church board) to You. Help us respect and honor them as they direct the affairs of our church. May they wholeheartedly give their attention to prayer and ministry of the Word. Keep them above reproach, devoted to their families, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable and able to teach. May they be gentle and honest as they deal with people. (1 Tim. 5:17; Acts 6:4; 1 Tim. 3:1-2; Titus 1:7)

3. Deacons – Lord, I lift up my deacons to You. May they walk worthy of respect with sincere hearts. Keep them from indulgence and greed. Help them keep hold of truth. May they keep short accounts with You so that their conscience is clear. Bless their households with peace and respect. Fill them with Your Spirit and let them operate in wisdom as they carry out their responsibilities. (1 Tim. 3:8-9, 12; Acts 6:3)

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4. Adults – Lord, I lift up the adults in my congregation to You. May we live worthy of Your call on our lives. As we respond to that call, fulfill every purpose, every faith-filled act of service by Your power. May we be clothed in righteousness with hearts that sing for joy and delight greatly in You. We want to walk with You, Jesus, dressed in white, adorned with jewels. (Eph. 4:1; 2 Thes. 1:11; Ps. 132:9; Isa. 61:10; Rev. 3:4)

5. Children/Youth – Lord, I lift up the children and youth in my congregation to You. May the little ones remain humble examples of what we adults need to become in the kingdom. Let their conduct always be pure and right with reputations that show that they remember You, Creator God. Teach them to declare Your marvelous deeds. May they flee evil desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace. (Matt. 18:3-4; Prov. 20:11; Eccl. 12:1; Ps. 71:17; 2 Tim. 2:22)

6. Seniors – Lord, I lift up the senior members of our congregation. Thank You for every gray hair attained by righteous living. We are blessed by their example and ability to train us. Help us to be humbly submissive as we benefit from their wisdom and understanding. Help them receive the strength and power You’ve promised to the weary and weak. May they put their hope in You and be renewed in the process. (Prov. 16:31; Titus 2:4; 1 Pet. 5:5; Job 12:12; Isa. 40:29, 31)

7. Lost Among Us – Lord, I lift up the lost members of our congregation. Let the gospel be presented to them not only through the sermon but also with power, the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. Teach us to make the most of every opportunity to share Your salvation. Help us to be the fragrance of Christ to them. We stand against the enemy and his attempts to keep them blinded to Your truth. (1 Thes. 1:5; Col. 4:5; 2 Cor. 2:15; 2 Cor. 4:4)

8. Worship Leaders – Lord, I lift up our worship leaders. Appoint people to this position who understand the splendor of Your holiness and praise You out of that understanding. Help them lead us faithfully in thanks for Your enduring love. Use their praise to defeat the enemy. May they be the true worshipers You are looking for who worship in spirit and in truth. Let them glory only in You, Jesus, so that they put no confidence in their own flesh. (2 Chron. 20:21-22; Jn. 4:23-24; Phil. 3:3)

9. Speakers/Teachers – Lord, I lift up the speakers and teachers in our church. May everyone who holds that position—pastors, Sunday school teachers, small group leaders, guest speakers—rightly divide Your word of truth. Let them admonish and teach with wisdom. Reveal the mysteries of Your word to them and encourage them to speak those mysteries courageously and fearlessly. Let them speak with a spirit of faith that springs from their relationship with You. (2 Tim. 2:15; Col. 1:28; Dan. 2:47; Phil. 1:14; 2 Cor. 4:13)

10. Women’s Ministry – Lord, I lift up our Women’s Ministry. Encourage our older women to train the younger in family issues. Teach our women to be virtuous—women with gentle and quiet spirits who put their hope in You. Let this ministry produce women who feel Your passion for them and who choose to spend time at Your feet. Train them to contend for the gospel side by side with the men. (Titus 2:4, 5; Prov. 31:10; 1 Pet. 3:4, 5; Ps. 45:11; Lk. 10:38-42; Phil. 4:3)

11. Men’s Ministry – Lord, I lift up our Men’s Ministry to You. Use this ministry to build our men in their faith. Teach them to be in right relationship to You and each other, to love their wives sacrificially and to instruct their children with patience. Encourage them to hold each other accountable as they carry each other’s burdens. May they speak the truth in love to each other even when it’s hard. (Jude 1:20; Titus 2:2; 1 Tim. 5:1; Eph. 5:25, 6:4; Gal. 6:2; Eph. 4:15; Prov. 27:6)

12. Youth Workers – Lord, I lift up our Youth Workers.  Let these young men and women set an example in their speech, life, love, faith and purity.  Cause them to be strong, alive-in-the-Word overcomers. Help them to have  discernment as they deal with the young people in our church. Help them to  notice any youth who lack judgment so they can teach them to value Your  life-giving principles. Pour out Your Spirit on them. (1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Jn. 2:14; Prov. 3:21, 7:7, 7:2; Joel 2:28).

13. Behind-the-Scenes Workers – Lord, I lift up the people who work behind the scenes at our church. Thank You for every nursery worker, parking lot attendant, office volunteer, building janitor, etc. who have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. Bless them for the obedience and generosity they have displayed—may You receive praise as a result! Keep them in an attitude of humility that comes from wisdom and wholehearted service to You rather than to be noticed by others. (1 Cor. 16:15; 2 Cor. 9:12-13; Jas. 3:13; Eph. 6:7)

14. Children’s Ministries – Lord, I lift up our children’s ministries to You. Create an atmosphere here that encourages our children to find You. Let the teachers be careful to remind each child of the marvelous things You have done. Cause everything they learn about You to become a part of them forever. May they consistently choose life and blessing each day because of the training they receive in our church. Keep them walking in the truth. (Mk. 10:14; Dt. 4:9; 29:29; 30:19; Prov. 22:6; 3 Jn. 1:4)

15. Prayer Focus – Lord, I lift up the prayer focus in my church. Make us into a house of prayer. We desire to be clear-minded and self-controlled so that we can pray first, always, continually and thankfully. May everyone recognize that this is Your desire for all and not just a few. Use us to stand in the gap for others. Let there be prayer ministry among us that is powerful and effective. (Mk. 11:17; 1 Pet. 4:7; 1 Tim. 2:1; Eph. 6:18; 1 Thes. 5:17; Phil. 4:6; Ps. 32:6; Ezk. 22:30; Jas. 5:16)

16. Spiritual Level – Lord, I lift up the spiritual temperature of my church. Revive us! Refine us so that we burn hot for You. Give us singleness of heart and action so that we always fear You and follow Your precepts. Pour  out a spirit of Josiah on us so that we turn to You heart, soul and  strength. Open our minds to understand Your Word so that our hearts burn  within us. (Ps. 85:6; Rev. 3:14-18; Jer. 32:39; Ps. 111:10; 2 Ki. 23:25;  Lk. 24:45, 32)

17. Spirit-Led – Lord, I lift up the issue of our willingness to be led by Your Spirit. Holy Spirit, show us any way we are grieving, quenching or resisting You. Convict us and lead us to level ground. Help us keep in step with You as we live by You. Reign in us so that we experience Your freedom. Lead us into grace, life and peace. (Eph. 4:30; 1 Thes. 5:19; Acts 7:51; Jn. 16:8; Ps. 143:10; Gal. 5:25; 2 Cor. 3:17; Gal. 5:18; Ro. 8:6)

18. Spiritual Gifts – Lord, I lift up the use of spiritual gifts in our church. We eagerly desire spiritual gifts that You’ve given for our common good. Help us understand the various gifts and how they work. Teach us to use what we’ve received to serve others and faithfully administer Your grace—whatever form that takes. Help us exercise our gifts in love. Remind us to keep fanning into flame the gifts You’ve entrusted to us. (1 Cor. 14:1, 12:4-7; 1 Pet. 4:10; 2 Tim. 1:6)

19. Love/Unity – Lord, I lift up our love for one another as a body. Help us purify ourselves by obeying the truth so that our love for each other will be sincere, deep and from the heart. May our love for one another prove that we are Your disciples. Give us a spirit of unity so that we may glorify You with one heart and voice. Help us accept one another as we clothe ourselves in love. (1 Pet. 1:22; Jn. 13:34-35; Ro. 15:5-7; Col. 3:14)

20. Finances – Lord, I lift up our church finances. May we sow generously into our church without reluctance or compulsion. Make all grace abound so we have all we need for every good work You’ve assigned us. Make us rich in ways that result in generosity on our part so You will be praised. Keep reminding us of your promise to throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out blessing on all who bring the whole tithe into Your house. (2 Cor. 9:6-11; Mal. 3:10)

21. Outreach/Missions Projects – Lord, I lift up our outreach programs. Remind us to do good and share with others as a pleasing sacrifice to You. Keep us outwardly focused so we don’t become self-absorbed. Help us teach one another to be faithful ministers of Your Son. Enable us to meet people wherever they have a need. Help us minister faithfully as we proclaim the gospel so that the ones we reach might become an acceptable offering to You. (Heb. 13:16; Phil. 2:4; Col. 1:7; Jude 1:23)

22. Single Parents – Lord, I lift up the single parents in our church. May they know You as father to the fatherless and defender of widows! Let us be a real family to them when they are lonely. Show us ways to include them and minister grace to them. Stir up practical ideas in us that show Your love and care. Help them relax in Your grace and provision which is more than enough for every weakness and need. (Ps. 68:5-6, 25:16; Matt. 25:35-40; 2 Cor. 12:9; Phil. 4:19)

23. Help for the Hurting – Lord, I lift up those who are hurting right now. May they come to know You as El Roi, the God who sees them. For every situation of rejection, help them feel sonship. Bind up the brokenhearted! In every area of bondage, set the captives free; in every case of mourning, replace it with Your oil of gladness. Comfort them so that they will have a ministry of comfort to others. (Gen. 16:13; Ro. 8:15; Isa. 61:1-3; 2 Cor. 1:3-4)

24. Freedom from Besetting Sins – Lord, I lift up every one of us who struggle with sin issues. Keep us from the enemy’s scheme of condemnation. Grant us repentance so that we can escape the trap of the evil one. Thank You that sin was done away with on the cross and that we are no longer slaves to it. Help us to throw off everything that entangles—help us run the race with perseverance. (Ro. 8:1; 2 Tim. 2:25, 26; Ro. 6:6; Heb. 12:1)

25. Kingdom Focus/Priorities – Lord, I lift up our priorities as a congregation. Give us ears to hear what Your Spirit is saying to our church. Open our eyes to see things as You see them. Help us move beyond issues of immediate need to pursuing Kingdom issues. Bring us to a place where “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” is more than just words we say. (Rev. 3:22; 2 Ki. 6:17; Matt. 6:25, 33, 10)

26. Growth through Evangelism – Lord, I lift up our church growth to You. Add to our number daily through new converts. Birth spiritual children through us. Let our actions win people over without words. Use us as Your agents to rescue people from darkness and bring them into Your Son’s kingdom. We long to be worthy ambassadors in this ministry You have entrusted to us: that of proclaiming Your message of reconciliation to a lost world. (Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 4:15; 1 Pet. 3:1-2; Col. 1:13; 2 Cor. 5:20)

27. Our Neighborhood – Lord, I lift up our community, especially the surrounding neighborhood. Let us love these people as we love ourselves. May our concern for their needs override other things that take our time and focus. Rebuild and restore areas that have been devastated. Renew our community—send Your peace and prosperity into this place where You’ve planted us. Bless each individual home and family. Build each house from the inside out; watch over our city. (Gal. 5:14; Prov. 3:28; Isa. 61:4; Jer. 29:7; Lk. 10:5-6; Ps. 127:1)

28. Connectivity with the Church in Our City – Lord, I lift up the Church in our city. Thank You for creating the body as one unit made up of many parts. Help us understand the value of each part as You have arranged them. We confess that we’ve minimized other parts. Forgive us, for we are all baptized by one Spirit into one body. Help us to work at being one: concerned about one another—suffering with and rejoicing with other congregations as appropriate. (1 Cor. 12:12-26)

29. Connectivity with the Church in Our Nation – Lord, I lift up the Church in our nation. We humbly unite and confess as one people—one Church called by Your name—that we have sinned. We’ve operated out of acquired wealth thinking we could do it on our own—but we are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. We seek Your face, O God! Thank You for hearing and forgiving us. We wait on You for the healing of our land! (2 Chron. 7:14; Rev. 3:17)

30. Connectivity with the Church around the World – Lord, I lift up the Church universal. Father, we claim the power of Your name over us so that we will be one, as You and Your Son are one. We want Your joy in full measure just as Your Son, Jesus, prayed for us. Help us live as though we are not of this world; sanctify us by Your word. May we be brought to complete unity so that the world will know the truth of the gospel. (Jn. 17:11-23)

31. Protection from the Enemy – Lord, I lift up our need for protection. Protect and deliver us from the evil one. Help us be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves as we deal with the wolves around us. Show us how to test every spirit to see if they are from You. Help us recognize the enemy’s disguises and schemes so that he won’t outwit us. (Jn. 17:15; Matt. 6:13, 10:14; 1 Jn. 4:1; 2 Cor. 11:14, 2:11)

–Written by Sandra Higley when she was the director of member relations for the Church Prayer Leaders Network. Sandra is currently the editor of Real Life Downloads from David C. Cook Publishers.

Note: This guide can be purchased in packs of 50 for your church. Click here for more information or to purchase.

(C) 2004, 2012, 2016 by Church Prayer Leaders Network. www.prayerleader,com. This guide can be photocopied or emailed freely as long as this statement and website is included on the bottom.

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Most of us know we should be praying for our churches.

But if you’re like me, you haven’t given enough thought to the matter of how you should be praying.

It occurs to me that this question is worth thinking about.

It’s worth investing time in.

It’s worth figuring out.

Because it matters.

It matters a lot more than we think, because the battle rages stronger than we realize.

The Bible teaches that our adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8).

And quite often, his prime target is Christ’s Church.

Because if he can manage to hinder the testimony of a believer – or even better, an entire congregation of believers – he can muffle their walking, talking evidence of God’s power.

Will you join me in praying the Scriptures on behalf of your church?

Prayers for Your 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 enable and inspire your church members to use their spiritual gifts to serve each other (I Peter 4:10-11).

Pray that your local church congregation would take seriously its participation in “The Great Commission” – going and making disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:19-20).

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).

Pray that your church members would exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13).

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).

Pray that your church members would have genuine love for the Lord, for each other, and for the world. Ask for God’s grace to help you all abhor what is evil and hold fast to what is good; to love one another with brotherly affection and to outdo one another in showing honor. Pray that your local congregation would not be slothful in zeal, but would be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Ask that He would guide you in rejoicing in hope, being patient in tribulation, being constant in prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, and seeking to show hospitality (Romans 12:9-13).

Pray that your church will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and that your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God in the hearts of those on the receiving end (2 Corinthians 9:11).

Bow your knees before the Father, imploring that according to the riches of His glory He may grant your local church to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner being of each member, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:14-19).

Heavenly Father, how I thank You for the gift of the local church! It has been the conduit of untold blessing in my life. But I realize that its blessing upon me is secondary to Your design that it be a blessing to You. I pray that You would grant Your protection from the enemy over each local congregation of believers. By your grace, help us to guard against attacks from without and against division from within. “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

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A Healing Prayer for My Church

Posted on August 18, 2016 by Kay Swatkowski

This “Healing Prayer for My Church” centers on strengthening and healing the relationships between church members that often keep congregations from being well functioning, caring, unified churches where people love and respect each other and work together to share God’s love and forgiveness with each other and the world.

All churches have hurts and problems between members.  Author Kay Swatkowski says, “Relational issues cause the greatest grief and hinder the local church’s witness in the community.” She says these problems can “destroy a church body and waters down our message.  Desiring God’s best for our church means not only praying for an increase in attendance and finances, but that we would each grow in love and that this love would be seen in our community.”

This prayer for your church is for anyone who loves the people in their church and wants to see your church move beyond problems between members and grow in God’s love.  It can be used as a pastoral prayer, a group prayer at prayer meetings or at church council meetings or as an individual prayer for your church.

A Healing Prayer for My Church  by Kay Swatkowski

Lord,

We thank you for the gift of the church. From the days of Abraham, you have made it known that you desire to have a people, a royal priesthood that will bring honor and glory to your holy Name. This holy nation was destined to be a source of blessing to the world. Father, it is a privilege to be part of the Body that you have created to be the dwelling place of truth, grace, loving fellowship and the salt and light the world so desperately needs.

We celebrate this community and we thank you for each member that you have called and equipped to serve. Each one is precious. Today, we commit ourselves to the care, nurture, building up, edifying and protection of the precious Body of Christ.

We thank you for the Head of the Body, Jesus Christ. Lord, teach us to humbly depend upon you for guidance and help in every situation.

We pray that you will give us a sincere love for our brothers and sisters so that the world will recognize the truth and power of the Gospel.

We pray that as we walk in the Spirit, we will diligently preserve the unity of the Spirit by living at peace with you and with one another.

We pray that you will enable us to be patient with one another, to bear one another’s burdens and to generously offer mercy and forgiveness to each person, just as you have offered mercy to each of us.

Lord, may our spiritual communities be a safe place where we each can confess our sins and share our struggles and grow in holiness. Give us the courage to speak the truth in love in a way that brings maturity to the Body. Help us to take seriously the ministry of extending grace and accountability to a brother or sister who stumbles. May those we love and care for be fully restored.

May we seek not only our own interest but intentionally work to further the interests of and honor of our brothers and sisters.

Father, protect our church from bitterness, gossip and division. Convict us of – and forgive – our sins of selfishness, greed, anger, tendency to take things personally and desire for control. Grant us instead, selflessness, generosity, gentleness, long-suffering and submission.

Make us a people of prayer who intercedes daily on the behalf of the needs of our spiritual family both here and around the world.

Keep us on our knees, always submitting to you and mutually submitting to one another. May our churches be known as the houses of prayer of which Jesus spoke.

May we love and live in harmony with one another, so that those around us will be filled with a longing for the Christian life.  Lord, fill us and use us so that our friends, neighbors, family and loved ones will be drawn to Jesus as they observe Christian love in action.

We, your people, look forward to the day when believers from the four corners of the earth will gather before your throne. On that day, men and women from ever tribe and nation will give you the honor and glory you are due. Give us strength and wisdom as we work to bring others in to the fellowship of the Church, ready to join with those who worship you with gladness and thanksgiving.

Heavenly Father, build your Church we pray.  Amen.

The Story behind this prayer

We love the church. Not the building, programs or decor – as much as we appreciate those things.  No, it is the people we love. After forty plus years of ministry in, with and through the local church, we love the people of God more than ever.

Over the years, we have spent hundreds of hours with pastors, pastors’ wives and church members reeling with excruciating pain. Whether the obvious problems are finances, attendance or lack of volunteers there is always an underlying, chronic problem. The tears they shed are not for facilities or funding. They weep for the loss of relationships and unresolved conflict within church. Relational issues cause the greatest grief and hinder the local church’s witness in the community.

Can you relate?

The night before He died, Jesus told His followers, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”  (John 13:34) He also goes on to say that the world has permission to judge the sincerity of our faith by the sincerity of our love for one another.

Loving one another in the church brings life, joy, health and adds credibility to our message. Members feel at home with one another and grow in their faith. Selfishness, unkindness, unforgiveness destroys a church body and waters down our message.

Because of the hundreds of sad stories we have seen, and the tears we have tried in vain to dry, we are convinced that God’s call to love one another is vitally important.  Burdened by the many churches that struggle and live in a state of lovelessness, we wrote  “Make Yourself at Home: Discovering the Heart of the Church.” We know that within every church there are loving believers just waiting to impact their community.

It is our hope that as believers reacquaint themselves with the “one another” commands of the New Testament, love for fellow believers will be rekindled.  Currently, my husband is interim pastor at a church.  In a few short months, we have grown to love these believers and they have showered us with love in return.  How wonderful to see God’s love in action in a church!

Desiring God’s best for them means not only praying for an increase in attendance and finances, but that we would each grow in love and that this love would be seen in our community.

Love is the answer!

Related articles and links

Purchase Link for Make Yourself at Home book by Kay Swatkowski

Praying for children and grandchildren with problems and difficulties by Kay Swatkowski

Payer for my clergy couple

How to pray for your church using a prayer walk

Copyright Kay Swatkowski 2016.  All rights reserved.

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