Day 3 - A Prayer for the Church

My heart is heavy for our churches. 

The Bible is losing its authority, even in the church, as the very Word of God and truth is now considered relative. You hear people say "her truth or his truth". It is no longer "the truth". I am reminded of  these words from the book of Judges, "in those days there was no king in Israel, every man did what was right in his own eyes".  Their own version of what was right.

We desperately need God's Word to be the plumb line and guide of our churches. Of our lives. We need to get back to the foundation that is Christ. 

 

 

Father, I come to You today with a heart burdened for Your church. These are perilous times, Lord. False teachers have moved in among Your people. They come in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. (Matthew 7:15) Subtle heresies have crept in misleading many and even Your Word is on the scaffold! Help us, Lord. 

Help us get back to the basics of our most holy faith. Father, no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. May Christ be our very foundation, O God. ( 1 Corinthians 3:11) May Christ be our Cornerstone. May we not build a foundation that is based on the world's ideas or on big business ideas. Re-shape us and re-fashion us into Your design.

Lord, You call us to be Your servants, stewards of Your mysteries. (1 Corinthians 4:1) May we be found trustworthy of so great a task. You call us a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for Your own possession, that we may proclaim the excellencies of You who called us out of darkness into Your marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9) Lord, we're living like we don't even know who we are or Who we belong to! Remind us of our identity. Remind us of our calling. Lift the veil that is covering so many and shine the light of Your truth into every congregation that is called by Your name.

Father, we are living in the days when many do not want to endure sound doctrine, but want to have their ears tickled and accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires. Many are turning their ears away from the truth. O God, strengthen Your church to preach the Word! (2 Timothy 4:1-4) Unadulterated. And without shame. Make us brave, Lord. We've become so afraid of being politically correct that we're no longer biblically correct! Raise up the Truth-tellers, Lord. Men and women of Your Word! Those who don't bow to popular opinion but care fervently about Your opinion.  

For those across the world today that are being persecuted for faith in You, I ask for special grace, special mercies. Gird them with strength, with courage, with hope and peace. Encourage them so they aren't given to despair. 

Revive Your church again, O Lord. Send a wave of Your Spirit across the pulpits, the pews, the homes and everywhere Your children gather to worship You. May we be able to stand firm against the schemes of the enemy (Ephesians 6:11) and may we burn brightly against the darkness of this world. 

Father, we are Your people and the sheep of Your pasture. (Psalm 79;13) Shepherd us. Have mercy on us. In Christ's name I pray, Amen.

 

 

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This article is part of our larger Prayers resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you struggle to find the words to pray. 

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