Prayers of the People--for teachers, congregations, community, and nation

LORD GOD ALMIGHTY…

MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH…

SAVIOR, REDEEMER, AND FRIEND…

 

WE PRAISE YOU THIS DAY FOR TEACHERS.  THANK YOU FOR CALLING THEM INTO THIS MINISTRY OF GREAT SIGNIFICANCE.  BLESS THEM, INSPIRE THEM, AND GUIDE THEM AS THEY GUIDE OUR CHILDREN CLOSER TO YOU.

 

THANK YOU, TOO, FOR OTHERS WHO LABOR TOGETHER IN MINISTRY WITH US.  WE THINK OF ______________________ SERVING ______________________.  GIVE THEM THE RESOURCES, STRENGTH, AND WISDOM AS THEY TEACH OTHERS TO CARRY YOUR WORD INTO PLACES OF DARKNESS AND DESPAIR. MAY THERE BE UNITY, POWER, AND VITALITY IN THESE CONGREGATIONS AS THEY LIVE FAITHFULLY FOR YOU IN EACH OF THEIR COMMUNITIES.

 

WE PAUSE NOW, LORD, TO REMEMBER THOSE IN OUR MIDST WHO ARE STRUGGLING IN SOME WAY.  [Insert names/details _________________________________________________]

 

WE THINK OF SPECIFIC FAMILIES AS THEY GRIEVE RECENT LOSSES.  CARRY THEM GENTLY.  SURROUND THEM WITH YOUR COMFORT AND YOUR LOVE.  HELP US AS WE WALK BESIDE THEM—MAY WE BE SENSITIVE TO THEIR NEEDS FOR SILENCE…THEIR NEEDS FOR CARE…THEIR NEEDS FOR OUR MERCY AND COMPASSION.

 

HELP THOSE WHO ARE OVERWHELMED WITH LIFE…WITH ILLNESSES…WITH COMMITMENTS…WITH SADNESS…OR ANXIETY.  FILL THEM WITH YOUR SPIRIT.  GRANT THEM PEACE IN THE MIDST OF THEIR TURMOIL.  PROVIDE HEALING TO THEIR BODIES AND THEIR SOULS.

 

WE THINK OF THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE WEATHER-RELATED DEVASTATION.  BRING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER AS THEY REBUILD.  PROVIDE HOUSING, FOOD, CLOTHING, AND OTHER RESOURCES FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST EVERYTHING.  MAKE YOUR CHURCHES IN THOSE PLACES BEACONS OF HOPE AND HELP.

 

WE CONTINUE TO ASK FOR PEACE AROUND THE WORLD.  PROTECT THOSE WHO ARE SERVING AS MISSIONARIES OR IN THE MILITARY OVERSEAS…ESPECIALLY THOSE IN WAR-TORN PLACES.  GIVE EACH OF US A NEW HEART—ONE THAT CARES ABOUT PEOPLE IN OTHER NATIONS WHO ARE OPPRESSED…THAT CARES ABOUT INJUSTICE…THAT PRAYS MORE FAITHFULLY AGAINST EVIL… THAT IS WILLING TO PROVIDE RESOURCES AND OTHER PRACTICAL HELP.

 

WE ADMIT THAT SOMETIMES WE ARE OVERWHELMED WITH THE NEEDS AND PROBLEMS AROUND US.  YOU PROMISE WISDOM TO THOSE WHO ASK.  WE ASK THAT YOU SHOW EACH OF US SIMPLY THE NEXT STEP WE SHOULD TAKE.  AND…THEN…PLEASE HELP US TAKE THAT STEP…

 

MAKE US MORE FAITHFUL THIS WEEK…IN STUDYING THE BIBLE…IN SEEKING TO SPEND TIME WITH YOU…IN PRAYING FOR OTHERS AND FOR THIS CHURCH.  DON’T LET US STAY WHERE WE ARE.  GIVE US YOUR VISION AND YOUR DIRECTION…THAT WE MIGHT HONOR YOU.  THANK YOU THAT YOU DO GIVE US GUIDANCE WHEN WE ASK.

 

AND, NOW, WE JOIN OUR VOICES TOGETHER TO PRAY AS YOU TAUGHT US, SAYING:

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.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, forever.  Amen.

 

 

Important resources:

 

 

Shirley Giles Davis, author of God's Affirmations For You: A Book of Encouragement—A 12-Week Devotional Practice, the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, DIOS. DONES. TÚ.: Tu llamado y diseño único (Spanish Edition), and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with hundreds of faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and executive leaders in a diversity of fields for four decades. She currently serves as Catalyst for Equipping at her church.

 

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