Prayer for Our Church
“Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:23-25
Leader: Jesus, who is our hope, we hold unswervingly to you. We are grateful for your faithfulness that endures from generation to generation. We are grateful for our church community and their faithful response throughout the years.
Response: Lord our God, thank you for your steadfast love and that your mercies are new every morning. As a congregation, we gather to celebrate your goodness and faithfulness.
Leader: Holy God, we lift up to you those who lead our church. Cover them with your protection. Give them space to rest and strength to lead. As they serve our church, may you continue to be the source of their love and that your goodness overflows to them and from them.
Response: Father hear our prayer, pour out your abundant blessing to our pastors and staff, our ministry leaders and every person who enters our buildings. May we have a spirit of love, power and self-discipline, rather than a spirit of fear.
Leader: With pure hearts, a good conscience and a sincere faith, we seek to live a life worthy of your calling. Oh God, may we be a church that stirs each other towards love and good deeds. May we recognize each other’s spiritual gifting and the ways we are all part of the same body.
Response: God, our shepherd, we stand here as the body of Christ. We are grateful that we are created in your image and that we each have unique gifts and talents. We are grateful that in you, we have unity. As we meet in this space tonight, may we offer courage to each other. Courage to follow you. Courage to be known. Courage to be the church, clothed in your righteousness and offering your joy. Amen.
This past Sunday night we had a Thanksgiving service at our church. It was a relaxed time of prayer and songs and thanksgiving. I had the privilege of writing the prayers and responses for the service. We started with the world, then moved to nation, community, church and individual (family, friends and ourselves). As we enter this Thanksgiving week, I thought I would share them, one a day, this week. Monday was Prayer for our World, Tuesday was Prayer for our Nation and Its Leadership and Wednesday was Prayer for our Community
