Strengthening the Church Through Prayer

I can't remember not praying. My parents prayed at mealtimes and bedtime and often spoke of praying for others. It has become a lifestyle for which I am grateful.

Engaging in the gift of prayer is a joy and a privilege. It's the key to our participation in God's kingdom work. Throughout the New Testament, we are reminded to pray and give thanks for our brothers and sisters in Christ. I find immense inspiration in reading the prayers in the Bible and knowing that Jesus rose early to spend time with the Father. Scripture tells us that He did only what the Father told Him to do. Oh, that I could learn to do the same. Prayer should be a two-way conversation with our Savior and Lord. We pray, listen, pray, read God's Word, pray God's Word, and sit quietly in His presence, desiring to hear from Him. Prayer begins by asking the Holy Spirit to guide our prayers.

Have you stopped to consider that God gave His church a name? In Isaiah 56:7, we read". . . for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations." Since we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, I take this to mean that I need to be a house of prayer--that my family/home needs to be known as a house of prayer. If this is true, as we gather with other believers, we are equipped to be a true house of prayer--"Devoting ourselves to prayer; staying alert in it with thanksgiving." Colossians 4:2 During Jesus' ministry, He referred to the name the Father had given His church on four separate occasions -- Matthew 21:13; Mark 11:17; Luke 19:46; John 2:17.

Through the years, I've realized that I cannot effectively pray for my church until I have first prayed for myself and the role I am to fill within the Body of Christ—the local church. We all need to be involved with a Body of Believers where we can serve, worship, and praise the One true God.

Let's begin by praying, "Lord, we dedicate ourselves to You and the work of Your church (Belle Aire). May it be where Your name is glorified and Your Word is proclaimed. Amen." John 4:24
As we pray, remember that prayer is about God, not us. We need to read scripture and pray to get to know His heart. Only then can we pray as Jesus taught us: "Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10.

• We ask for boldness in sharing the gospel clearly, bringing honor to the Father. Acts 4:23-31
• We pray for unbelievers to be saved and for prodigals to return. Acts 26:18
• May the Holy Spirit be free to work in and through us for God's kingdom purposes.
• Give us hearts that desire unity and harmony and reconciliation where needed. John 17:20-21, Ephesians 4:1-3
• May we want to know God better and develop a deeper thirst for His Word. Psalm 42:1
• May we be bold because of who we are in Christ and exhibit strength and endurance in all situations. Galatians 6:9
• Give us hearts that desire always to encourage others through love and good works. Hebrews 10:24-25
• We pray for protection from Satan's attempted attacks on our Pastors and Ministers. Father, grant them good health and continue to give them Your wisdom and insight into their particular ministries.

Consider praying scripture from three viewpoints--as a confession, a petition, and as a thanksgiving.

"Be persistent and devoted to prayer. Being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving." Colossians 4:2 (Amplified)

Father God, I ask forgiveness when I have failed to be persistent and devoted in prayer--when I've chosen not to spend time with You, sharing my heart and listening. Too often, I've given my time and energy to things of this world and have been unable to focus on You and give thanks for Your ongoing abundant blessings. Help me prioritize prayer in my life, being alert and focused on what I should pray about and how You'd have me to pray with joy and thanksgiving. We pray in the name of our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen

Pray Paul's prayer found in Ephesians 3:14-21. Personalize this prayer for yourself and for your church. Remember, the church is not a building but a body of believers in Jesus Christ. I prayed for the church I attended on Sundays and Wednesdays for many years. As my prayer life has grown, God has shown me the daily need to pray for the Church, especially my home church.

"14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 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, 21 to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."