Purpose and Calling: Intercede V
When the Apostle Paul is writing to his mentee/disciple, Timothy, giving him instructions on corporate worship, he says: I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people (1 Timothy 2:1). To the church in Thessalonica, he says: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
The following is an example of prayers, intercession, petitions and thanksgiving being made for all people—used in worship at Grace Commons Church, March, 2022:
O Lord, our Covenant-making God,
We are grateful that You reach out to us…that You are Present…that You are Powerful…that You make and keep promises to us. We pause now to bask in these truths about You. [PAUSE]
We praise You for Your generous grace…for Your limitless mercy…and that You are Mighty to save.
We pray for those in all the places across the globe who are experiencing conflict, loss of safety and security, tyranny, oppression. Lord, have mercy. In these places, use Your followers as agents of love, reconciliation, and hope. For the war in Ukraine…grant world leaders Your wisdom and discernment, grace and courage as they make decisions that have global impact. Prince of Peace…bring Your shalom to our world.
We pause in this moment to lift to you our fears, hopelessness, doubts, and needs. [PAUSE]
In those places where we are fearful, Lord, remind us that you are our shield…our very great reward.
In those places where we’ve lost hope, be Our Encouragement—the One who made the countless stars. Remind us that You are Our Hope. That you will always be with us…and never forsake us.
In those moments where our faith falters, Lord, shore us up in our unbelief. Be our Rock.
In the darkness, be Our Great Light.
Be our Great I AM.
Our Unchanging God, make the impossible possible as only You can.
King of Kings…show Yourself Sovereign over all things.
God of All Comfort…comfort the suffering.
Lord of Our Calling and Purpose…give us eyes to see and ears to hear and hands and feet to live out Your call and purpose to each of us individually and collectively as Your church…here and now…abiding faithfully in You as we enter into where You are already at work…and as we trust You to create good fruit and multiply our impact.
Turn our gaze upward and outward.
Fill us with Your powerful Spirit.
And, Lord, especially when we are at a loss for words, we are so grateful for the words You have given us to pray. We now join our voices to call for Your kingdom to come…and Your will to be done: [The Lord’s Prayer]
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. AMEN.
Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and leaders in a diversity of fields for over 30 years. She has also been Catalyst for Equipping at her 1,200 member church since 1999.
Photo (c) Shirley Giles Davis, all rights reserved. Artwork by Deborah Pascoe.