A Praying Church: Becoming a People of Hope in a Discouraging World

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We pray for their families – give them great strength, protection, and grace for the days ahead. We ask that you would continue to pave the way for strong, faithful men and women to serve your people. We ask you for the outpouring of your Spirit to raise up those you’ve chosen to lead. Prayer: Dear God, I thank you for the precious gift of my daughter. I pray you would protect her through the years. May she become a young woman of great character, seeking after your heart. I pray that through the challenges of life, she would find her confidence in you. May she know your joy as her strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Amen. 11. Prayers from the Bible

As Christians, we have the wonderful privilege of joining together in praising God and bringing before Him the needs of the world. One day, my uncle came home [from the hospital] very discouraged. He said I needed to go and see my father and that I needed to pray. Isaiah 33:2 “LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.” Stott, J. R. W. (1996). Guard the truth: the message of 1 Timothy & Titus (p. 61). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

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Father God, please be with me today in everything I will face. Help me to learn well at school. I pray that I would be a good friend to those around me today. Amen It has been said, “Prayer is not preparation for the great work. It is the great work!” For this reason, prayer must be our priority. It is the way that God has chosen to build his kingdom. Lord Jesus Christ, thank you that you know my every need. Your word says that the church is your bride. Your people have been washed clean and purified by your blood. Your people have been clothed in your righteousness. You love the church, you died for the church, you pray for the church, you sustain the church. Hear my prayer and fill your people with the knowledge and experience of your love. You are the God of endurance and encouragement. Help us to live in harmony with one another, that together we may with one voice glorify you. In your powerful name, Amen. Heavenly Father, thank you that you are the light of the world, guiding our steps on your path. Your word says that you are a Good Father who gives us good gifts. Thank you for the gift of the church, a community of your children that you have gathered together to worship, serve, pray and love. Give us strength to live as ambassadors for you in the world. Lord, bless your church and keep us pure, make your face shine upon us. Turn your face towards us and give us peace. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Application Question: Why is it so important to pray for our leaders, especially our spiritual leaders (cf. Gal 6:6)? How is God calling you to grow in practicing this discipline? Praying Churches Pray Evangelistically Prayers is a general word for all communication with God. Unlike supplications, it is only used of God in the Bible. Therefore, it probably includes a “unique element of worship and reverence.” 2 In our worship, we must constantly take time to praise God for who he is and honor his characteristics. The Lord’s Prayer begins with “Hallowed be thy name.” Finally, Paul talks about having the right attitude in prayer. He desires men to pray, “lifting up holy hands without anger or dispute.” What does this say about how believers should pray? What does Paul mean? 1. Believers should pray with holy hands. Big Question: What characteristics of praying churches can be discerned from 1 Timothy 2:1-8? Praying Churches Prioritize Prayer

III. Praying together in the New Testament

In the uncertainty of life, give thanks that God has good plans for your children. Jeremiah 29:11 says exactly this: ‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ Application Question: How can we prioritize both corporate and individual prayer? 1. We prioritize prayer by praying about everything, at all times. As Paul moves from general prayer for everybody to specific prayer for leaders, he focuses on prayer for the salvation of souls. Paul says that God “wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (v. 4). Faithful Father, thank you that you have plans for your church that are for our good and your glory. The Bible says the church is your house, you dwell in the midst of your people. Let us be built on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ. Let us be built together in a way that honors you. May Christ dwell in our hearts through faith so that we, being rooted and grounded in love, may have the strength to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.

Please protect those vulnerable to illness around the world. We think especially of those living in extreme poverty , where medical assistance is often more difficult to access. Father, we pray for your protection and healing. We pray for our partner churches in different parts of the world working so hard to look after their communities with limited resources. We also lift before you healthcare workers and medical researchers. Thank you for their tireless service. Lord, we praise you for the recent medical advances against many diseases. We pray resources will be fairly distributed around the world. Amen . Natural disasters So, if we’re called to pray for the “church,” what is the church, exactly? The Bible reminds us that the church is more than just a building or a gathering place of people. And it’s much bigger than any single denomination, social status, or country. The church quite simply is the body of believers all around the world who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It is referred to in the Bible as the Greek word “ekklesia” and is defined as “an assembly,” or the “called out ones.” Interpretation Question: What does Paul mean by adding “first of all” to his instructions on prayer? Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 215). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. Interpretation Question: Is there a contradiction between God’s desire for all to be saved and the doctrine of election?We’ve made space to pray with leaders and members from other congregations. We know that whenever God brings renewal to a city, it flows through many churches and ministries, and prayer is always involved. I schedule several regular prayer times each month with pastors around our city, and our church has also gathered to pray with other congregations throughout the past two years. Praise almighty God for the educational opportunities He’s given your child! Pray for them to grow in intrigue and wonder at world around them. Ask that they would develop a real love of learning. “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6 Aunt Patricia, the director at my Compassion centre, taught us that when you believe, nothing is impossible for God,” recalls Lynet.