A Call To Pray For God's People. The Church

John 17:6-19
⁶ I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. ⁷ Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. ⁸ For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. ⁹ I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. ¹⁰ All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. ¹¹ And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. ¹² While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. ¹³ But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. ¹⁴ I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁵ I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. ¹⁶ They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁷ Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸ As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. ¹⁹ And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

 

 

Sovereign God, we are your people, the church. You have redeemed us. You choose us.  Our lives or not our own, they have been bought by the blood of Jesus Christ. You have saved us by grace through faith, not of works, We are your workmanship and you have ordained good works for us to walk in them and experience the fullness of your joy . Help us ,oh God, to walk in them as the Bride of Christ.

God humble us and break us so you can mold us, fill us and use us.

God free us from habits of self preservation  and going through the same motions.  Free us in our churches to humbly receive your Word. Free us to sing and make music to you from our hearts. Free us to be open to whatever you want to do in our midst. Father we repent today. We repent for playing church, We repent of the lack of affection for you and your people. We repent of  the sin of racism. Free us from racial division in  the church.  Father break down these divisions of white, black, latino so that our identity is solely in Christ, not the color of our skin. And we see each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, created in the image of God.

Forgive us for tearing each other down, comparing and competiveness. Forgive us for wasting moments and money on things that do not matter for eternity. Forgive us father for being preoccupied with our own agenda rather than matters of justice, mercy and faithfulness. Forgive us for being about every other thing but the mission you gave us, to make disciples of all nations. Forgive us for being more preoccupied with programming, buildings and budgets than your beauty. Forgive us when our committee meetings out number our prayer meetings.  Forgive us for our unbelief. Forgive us for exchanging the truth of God for a lie.

Father, I give up. I surrender myself  to you. You are more beautiful than any other pursuit.  Forgive me, Father, I have sinned against you and you alone. You are a good, good Father. Restore to me and to your church the joy of our Salvation. Restore our love relationship with you. Return us to our first love. I am asking you, to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine through your church. May the church be a redemptive presence in the culture. Open doors that no one can shut. Father it is not my church, it is your church. You build your church in broken places to bring your Salvation, healing and deliverance. Jesus you are the builder of ancient ruins, the repairer of broken walls, and the restorer of streets.

Father, I pray for the persecuted church throughout the world. Grant grace and peace and your Holy Spirit protection especially for the children. The children, O God. How long o lord. Have mercy O Lord.

Sprit of the living God, fall fresh on us, fall fresh on me. Humble us and center us on Jesus and the truth of your word that is the same yesterday today and forever. Jesus, you are who you say you are and you are still doing what you said you would do. You are making all things new. With the power of the gospel – send your church out for the work of your kingdom wherever  we are, in this community, your cities and among the nations. Empower us with your Holy Spirit to do your will as we partner with your heart. Father, by your grace and for your glory, revive us, transform us and free us for your  purposes.  May the church rise up and takes it’s place as we look for the day you return to gather your people  to reign with you forever.  You are already  victorious. You have already overcome the grave.  Help us fight not for victory but from victory.  Deepen and strengthen our faith in you  Jesus. Help us remain steadfast in the truth of your word. We pray that Jesus is high and lifted up in your church. We exalt your name Jesus. You are worthy.

Pray for the persecuted church.  As the church, the body of Christ, He has sent us out into the world. Pray for specific names of people that He has sent you to point them to Jesus.