Appendix 9

Suggestions for Fasting Prayer for the Church

Throughout history the people of God have been called together to fast and pray. The fast may call for

a time of corporate repentance
attention to the time it takes to attend to the Holy Spirit in times of choice
attention to the world with its needs and hurts
attention to what the church needs to be in order to do the will of God in the world

GUIDELINES FOR THOSE WHO LONG TO PRAY FOR THE CHURCH

“Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)

Pray that the Lord will pour his Holy Spirit out on the church in full measure.
Pray that the Lord will build the church into a place where people are free to worship, grow and serve.
Pray that the work of the congregation will be for God’s glory and not its own.
Pray to recognize where the Lord is at work and building his church at this moment.
Go through the various rooms of the church in your mind’s eye: children’s classrooms, student center, narthex, sanctuary, pastoral offices. Pray for God to build his kingdom in each of these locale.

“And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47)

Pray that the church will provide a safe and winsome place for people to share their stories and connect with God.
Pray for the church to be a light in your community.
Pray for the courage and opportunity to reach out to friends, colleagues and neighbors with the love of Christ.

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)

Pray for the pastors and teachers to encounter and connect with God. Pray that they will have wisdom to guide, lead and nurture.
Pray for God to give his people vision to worship, grow and serve.
Pray for God’s hospitable Spirit to shape individuals and teams with hearts to reach out to others with the love of God.
Pray for the stewardship of the time, money and resources God has given his church.
Pray for perseverance to grow and serve in global and local ministries.
What do you think Christ’s desire for your church is? Pray out of this desire.

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” (1 Peter 1:6)

Pray for fellow believers who are suffering persecution because of their trust in Jesus.
Pray for God to thwart the power of the enemy to harass the church.
Pray that those suffering for Jesus would experience the presence of Christ among them.
Pray for the church to grow in the face of suffering.

“Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.” (1 Corinthians 10:17)

Pray for the unity of the church. Enter into Jesus’ prayer in John 17.
Pray for all those who have been wounded through schisms and strife within the church.
Pray for churches wounded by splits and riddled with factions.

PRAYERS FOR YOURSELF OR THOSE CLOSE TO YOU

Turn to Psalm 62:1-2. Where is your soul shaken? What is God’s desire for your soul? Pray God’s desire along with your own.
If you are praying for others, turn to Philippians 1:3-6. What work is God doing in the life of those you pray for? Join his pray for them to your own desires for them.
Close with prayers of thanksgiving for the God who is at work in you and his world.

Stretch. Wash your face. Drink some water. Place yourself in God’s hands for the remainder of your day.