Community Baptist Church
Caring & Sharing

PRAYING FOR THE CHURCH

This pamphlet is designed to help you in your praying for the life and ministry of Community Baptist Church. You can pray through the pamphlet as it is written. You can choose to focus on a few of the topics allowing the Spirit and your imagination to expand your prayer.

1. Invitation to Prayer:

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ. Pray that we may proclaim it clearly, as we should. Colossians 4:2-4

Thank you Father, for the call to seek you on behalf of Community Baptist Church.

2. Adoration of God (Praise and thanksgiving for who God is and what he has done):

Our Father, we give you thanks and praise for your creative and saving work that brought Community Baptist Church into existence and into your service.

Lord, you gave the vision and motivation for planting this church in Cold Lake and you have been with us through the years in all the changes and comings and goings, giving us the grace to love and serve you.

Holy Spirit, in a transient changing place you have provided everything that we needed to be your witnesses in this city.

(Think of some stories of God’s work and blessing in the life and ministry of Community Baptist Church.)

3. Affirmation of Faith:

Father, you have made us a visible example of how your good news in Jesus Christ, is present in people, and transforms culture to reflect more faithfully your intentions for all of creation. You have made us a community
that actively participates in your activity in this world.

Father, you have given us the mission of Sharing Christ and Caring in his name.

You have given us the vision to attract and lead people to Christ, to stimulate spiritual growth so that they become fully devoted followers of Christ, and equip them to serve the Lord and make a difference in the church, the community and beyond.

4. Confession and Dedication:

Our Father, we recognize that we as individuals and as a church are incomplete expressions of your kingdom. Together, we press on to a more faithful life with you, depending on your loving presence and power.

5. Intercession:

a. The Congregation:
Father, move us, as a congregation and individually to proclaim the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Father, work with us that we may be active learners and become fully devoted and mature disciples of Jesus.

Father, continue to lead us to read the Bible regularly, individually and as a congregation, seeking to be obedient to the Word of God.

Father, help us to center our lives in Jesus Christ in his life, death and resurrection.

Father, inspire us to be serve your mission through the church and in our own lives.

Father, direct our path so that we walk with one another in Christian love: supporting and building one another up in love.

Father, shape us into people who practice the process of reconciliation within and without the church, so that people can experience a new life with God and each other through Jesus Christ.

Father, create in us a generosity of sharing our time, talents and offerings
to support the life and ministry of the church family.

Father, continue to develop in us a welcoming and hospitable way to help neighbors and friends become citizens of your kingdom.

Father, lead us in our public witness to your good news. Inspire us to pray for the health and welfare of our city and to speak and act with prophetic love where this is needed.

Father, renew is us the desire and wisdom to gather to worship you together. This is the central act of this church. Meet with us that we might celebrate with joy and thanksgiving your living presence and promised future.

b. Our Pastor:

Our Father, we seek you for our Pastor, that through your grace and love he may be a man; after your heart, of the word, who allows you to direct his steps, who has a growing, deepening relationship with you in prayer, who is Spirit-filled with faith and love, of good health, strength and endurance, loves and cares for his family, prays for and instructs us, whose ministry is fruitful, equips us for service and discipleship, and is protected from the evil one.

c. Our Leaders:

Our Father, we come before you on behalf of those who have accepted leadership responsibilities in the church, that by your mercy and kindness they might be men and women; who love you and are growing deeply in you through your word and prayer, who love and care for their families, who are full of the fruit of the Spirit, giving themselves as gentle and caring servants, and whose work bears fruit in the depth and maturity of the discipleship and service of the congregation in your kingdom.

d. Our Weekly Service:

Our Father, as we gather together each week may the service glorify you, may the hearts of all who attend be prepared to hear you, may our pastor be sensitive to your leading in preparation and in speaking, may we see how to apply your word to our lives, may the musicians be in good voice and show the joy of the Lord, may the service know your guidance in it’s preparation, may all the equipment work properly, may there be a spirit of love, peace, unity and joy, and may all who come know they are welcome and at home.

e. Our Life & Ministry:

Our Father, we hold before you the visible examples of our life and ministry asking that you would make them all they can be to your glory.

(Think of the gatherings and activities that are happening this week and hold them before the Lord.)

Glory to the Father, to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, Amen