July/August 2021
Dear Prayer Family and Intercessors:
This prayer letter will hopefully inspire you to pray for CTK and to join us on Friday for Day2Pray! You can go to ctk.church/day2pray to sign up for a time to pray. I will be providing two prayer guides for that time (CTK’s and the Light of the World Prayer Center) that should give you plenty to pray about this week.
Sandra Higley is a fantastic writer and wrote a guide of “targeted” prayers for her local church. I have adapted her content because it was such an encouragement to me. Let’s pray together…
Pastors: Lord, I lift up our pastors to you. Thank you for their servant hearts. Keep our pastors from losing heart when ministry gets tough. Help them prove faithful with the things you have entrusted to them. Teach them your ways so that they know you and find favor with you as they lead us. Keep them open and honest before you, and help them to represent the truth plainly (2 Cor. 4:1; 1 Cor. 4:1-3; Ex. 33:13).
Church Council: Lord, I lift up our Network Church Council to you. Help us respect and honor them as they direct the affairs of our church. May they wholeheartedly give their attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word. Keep them above reproach, devoted to their families, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, and able to teach. May they be gentle and honest as they deal with people (1 Tim. 5:17; Acts 6:4; 1 Tim. 3:1-2; Titus 1:6-9).
Adults: Lord, I lift up the adults in our church to you. May they live worthy of your call on their lives. As they respond to that call, fulfill every purpose and faith-filled act of service by your power. May they be clothed in righteousness with hearts that sing for joy and delight greatly in you (Eph. 4:1; 2 Thess. 1:11; Ps. 132:9; Isa. 61:10).
Children/youth: Lord, I lift up the children, middle school and high school students in my congregation to you. May they remain humble examples of what we adults need to become in the Kingdom. Let their conduct always be pure and right with reputations that show that they remember you, Creator God. Teach them to declare your marvelous deeds. May they flee evil desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace (Matt. 18:3-4; Prov. 20:11; Eccl. 12:1; Ps. 71:17; 2 Tim. 2:22).
The people who are about to come: Lord, I lift up all those who are far from God. Let the gospel be presented to them not only through messages from the front but also with power and deep conviction of the Holy Spirit. Teach us to make the most of every opportunity to share your salvation. Help us to be the light of Christ to them. We stand against the enemy and his attempts to keep them blinded to your truth (1 Thess. 1:5; Col. 4:5; 2 Cor. 2:15; 2 Cor. 4:4).
Worship leaders: Lord, I lift up our worship leaders. Appoint people to these positions who understand the splendor of your holiness and praise you with that understanding. Help them lead us faithfully in thanks for your enduring love. Use their praise to defeat the enemy. May they be the true worshipers you are looking for-those who worship in spirit and in truth. Let them glory only in you, Jesus, so that they put no confidence in their own flesh (2 Chron. 20:21-22; John 4:23-24; Phil. 3:3).
Teachers: Lord, I lift up the teachers in our church. May everyone who holds that position-pastors, kid’s ministry teachers, youth leaders, guest speakers-rightly divide your Word of truth. Let them admonish and teach with wisdom. Reveal the mysteries of your Word to them and encourage them to speak those mysteries courageously and fearlessly. Let them speak with a spirit of faith that springs from their relationship with you (2 Tim. 2:15; Col. 1:28; Dan. 2:47; Phil. 1:14; 2 Cor. 4:13).
Ministry workers: Lord, I lift up the people who minister and serve at our church. Thank You for our nursery workers, parking lot attendants, office staff, building janitors, small group hosts, and others who have devoted themselves to serving the church. Bless them for the obedience and generosity they have displayed. May you receive praise as a result! Keep them in an attitude of humility that comes from wisdom and wholehearted service to you, rather than a desire to be noticed by others (1 Cor. 16:15; 2 Cor. 9:12-13; James 3:13; Eph. 6:7).
Prayer focus: Lord, I lift up the prayer focus in our church. Make us into a house of prayer. We desire to be clear-minded and self-controlled so that we can pray first-always, continually, and thankfully. May everyone recognize that this is your desire for all and not just a few. Use us to stand in the gap for others. Let there be prayer ministry among us that is powerful and effective (Mark 11:17; 1 Peter 4:7; Eph. 6:18; 1 Thess. 5:17; Ezek. 22:30; James 5:16).
Spiritual maturity: Lord, I lift up the spiritual temperature of our church. Revive us! Refine us so that we can shine your light! Give us singleness of heart and action so that we always fear you and follow your precepts. Put within us the spirit of Josiah to turn to you with all our heart, soul, and strength. Open our minds to understand your Word so that our hearts burn within us (Ps. 85:6; Rev. 3:14-18; Jer. 32:39; Ps. 111:10; 2 Kings 23:25; Luke 24:32, 45).
Spirit-led: Lord, may we be willing to be led by your Spirit. Holy Spirit, show us any way we are grieving, quenching, or resisting you. Convict us and lead us. Help us keep in step with you as we live by you. Reign in us so that we experience your freedom. Lead us into grace, life, and peace (Eph. 4:30; 1 Thess. 5:19; Acts 7:51; Ps. 143:10; Gal. 5:25; 2 Cor. 3:17; Gal. 5:18; Rom. 8:6).
Spiritual gifts: Lord, I lift up the use of spiritual gifts in our church. We eagerly desire spiritual gifts that you’ve given for our common good. Help us understand the various gifts and how they work. Teach us to use what we’ve received to serve others and faithfully administer your grace-whatever form that takes. Help us exercise our gifts in love. Remind us to keep fanning into flame the gifts you’ve entrusted to us (1 Cor. 14:1, 12:4-7; 1 Peter 4:10; 2 Tim. 1:6).
Love/unity: Lord, I lift up our love for one another as a church. Help us purify ourselves by obeying the truth so that our love for each other will be sincere, deep, and from the heart. May our love for one another prove that we are your disciples. Give us a spirit of unity so that we may glorify you with one heart and voice. Help us accept one another as we clothe ourselves in love (1 Peter 1:22; John 13:34-35; Rom. 15:5-7; Col. 3:14).
Finances: Lord, I lift up our church finances. May we sow generously into our church without reluctance or compulsion. May all grace abound so we have all we need for every good work you’ve assigned us. Make us rich in ways that result in generosity on our part so you will be praised. Keep reminding us of your promise to throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out blessing on all who bring the whole tithe into your house (2 Cor. 9:6-11; Mal. 3:10).
The hurting: Lord, I lift up those who are hurting right now. May they come to know You as El Roi, the God who sees them. For every situation of rejection, help them feel sonship with you. Bind up the brokenhearted! In every area of bondage, set the captives free; in every case of mourning, bring your oil of gladness. Comfort the hurting so that they will have a ministry of comfort to others (Gen. 16:13; Rom. 8:15; Isa. 61:1-3; 2 Cor. 1:3-4).
Freedom from habitual sins: Lord, I lift up our struggle with sin. Keep us from the enemy’s scheme of condemnation. Grant us repentance so that we can escape the trap of the evil one. Thank you that Jesus Christ did away with sin on the cross and that we are no longer slaves to it. Help us to throw off everything that entangles us and then run the race with perseverance (Rom. 8:1; 2 Tim. 2:25-26; Rom. 6:6; Heb. 12:1).
Kingdom focus/priorities: Lord, I lift up our priorities as a church. Give us ears to hear what your Spirit is saying to our church. Open our eyes to see things as you see them. Help us move beyond issues of immediate need to pursuing Kingdom issues. Bring us to a place where “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” are more than just words we say (Rev. 3:22; 2 Kings 6:17; Matt. 6:10, 25, 33).
Growth through evangelism: Lord, I lift up our church growth to You. Add to our number daily through new people choosing Jesus. Use us as your agents to rescue people from darkness and bring them into your Son’s Kingdom. We long to be worthy ambassadors in this ministry you have entrusted to us-that of proclaiming your message of reconciliation to a lost world (Acts 2:47; Col. 1:13; 2 Cor. 5:20).
Our community: Lord, I lift up to you our community, especially the surrounding neighborhood. Let us love our community as we love ourselves. May our concern for their needs override other things that take our time and focus. Rebuild and restore areas that have been devastated. Send your peace and hope into this place where you’ve planted us. Bless each individual home and family. Build each house from the inside out; watch over our city (Gal. 5:14; Prov. 3:28; Isa. 61:4; Jer. 29:7; Luke 10:5-6; Ps. 127:1).
Connectivity with the Church in our nation and world: Lord, I lift up the Church universal. Father, we claim the power of your name over us so that we will be one, as you and your Son are one. We want your joy in full measure just as your Son Jesus prayed for us. Help us live in the reality that we are not of this world; sanctify us by your Word. May we be brought to complete unity so that the world will know the truth of the gospel. We seek Your face, O God! Thank you for hearing and forgiving us. We wait on you for the healing of our land (John 17:11-23; 2 Chron. 7:14).
Protection from the enemy: Lord, I lift up our need for protection. Protect and deliver us from the evil one. Help us be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves as we deal with the wolves around us. Show us how to test every spirit to see if it is from you. Help us recognize the enemy’s disguises and schemes so that he won’t outwit us (John 17:15; Matt. 6:13; 1 John 4:1; 2 Cor. 2:11, 11:14).
Thanks for praying with me. I want to challenge you to keep this guide and search the scripture listed with each point as a place to meditate and seek God for His truth.
Grant
Day2Pray
Sustainable – Strategic - United Prayer for Whatcom County - July / August 2021
1. Worship John 14
Jesus gave us the source of His motivation in John 14:31, “I do as the Father has commanded me so that the world may know that I love the Father.” Open your time of worship and prayer today expressing your love for God the Father.
Use a phrase like: Father You are
• Father You are beautiful (Psalm 27:4) and I love You
• Father I dwell in Your shelter and abide in the shadow of Your Presence (Psalm 91:1) and I love You
• (choose your own…)
Read John 14 and see how frequently Jesus speaks of His desire to honor the Father in a pure and selfless way. Let Jesus guide your heart as you seek to be fully aware of the Father’s Presence and His unending love for you and your neighbor.
2. Prayer Focus
Loving God on our own, in our own way is valuable and essential. At the same time loving God in community with other believers is also God’s desire for us. Pray for ways to love God in front of others and with others - so that the world will know that we love the Father. Romans 5:8 tells us that God’s love is demonstrated in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. How do I, how do you, how do we love with this level of ‘demonstration?’ Thanks be to God John 14:25 says the Holy Spirit will be our teacher. Come and teach us to love as you love today.
3. Strategic prayers for Whatcom County
Arts & Media:
● Pray for the relationships of the ‘family’ of faith to be re-connected and strengthened throughout our county as we seek to serve God as one body.
● Pray for those who are in times of great stress or anxiety to become con-nected through radio (like 106.5) and on-line platforms to the encouraging message of Jesus Christ.
Business:
● Pray for business owners to seek and have the faith to follow spiritual wis-dom as they navigate very uncertain times both economically and socially. Father help us make business decisions that demonstrate a love for You.
● Pray that Christian business owners and employees can be the light of Christ in their jobs in a way that demonstrates the Father’s love to the world and their love for the Father.
Church:
● Pray for those people in our churches who have become comfortable not being at church during this last year. Ask the Father to stir all of our hearts to desire both personal and corporate intimacy with Him.
● Pray for all leaders (pastors to small group leaders) to have time for rest and renewal personally in both passion and vision for their calling.
Development:
● There is much fatigue in the helping professions. Pray for those who are overwhelmed and fatigued to realize the battle is the Lord’s. Pray they will be able to pray, “Yours is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory forever.”
● Pray wisdom for Directors and team leaders as they seek to navigate gov-ernmental regulations and foundation (funding) requirements in their desire to serve this community.
Education:
● Pray for educators to experience renewal after a difficult year, and the wisdom to prepare for next year. Pray that each Christian in education will ‘see’ clearly to understand how God is calling them to stand for the truth in the middle of very challenging social pressures.
● Pray for summer learning - at home, in camps, VBS, schools, as both par-ents and students need to know and be fulfilled by their identity in Christ. Pray John 14:26-27, that the Holy Spirit will be our teacher.
4. Pray for Your Family & Friends
During this spring the local farmers prepared the ground for seed or pre-pared their crops for the coming season and eventual harvest. When we pray, we prepare both ourselves and those we will meet for the gospel message. In every situation, backyard BBQ’s to vacations to neighbor-hood prayer walks, pray that you will carry the burden of Jesus, that He will open doors to share His life message of salvation, and for the bold-ness to testify to His saving grace in our own lives. (List here those you plan to pray for this week or this month)
5. Pray for your Church
For Your Pastor(s) and their families:
Leadership is always challenging in any sphere. Spiritual leadership takes the wisdom of human leadership and seeks to submit that to Jesus and His leadership. In the middle of ‘leadership’ is human emotion and human pain and suffering. Pray for pastors who carry the load of both leadership and people’s personal stories of pain and challenge. Our Pastors and those in other levels of spiritual leadership need the encour-agement and protection that each of us can access when we are at the throne of Grace pleading for them and on their behalf. Ask you Pastor (or other spiritual leader) how you can pray for them - then pray for them!
6. Outreach
John 14:10b, “the Father who dwells in me does His works.”
Ask the Holy Spirit to make this the prayer of your heart, that the world would know we love the Father. Abba Father may Your Kingdom Come and Your Will be done in me and through me, in my church and through my church, in the Church of Whatcom County and through the church of Whatcom County, in and through the Church around the world.
Family:
● Pray for the summer camps (the Firs, Royal kids, VBS and many more) for kids. This year the challenges from the school year have surfaced many emotional needs that only Jesus can fill. Pray for bold Christ proclamation and healing for our children (and their families).
● Pray for an adoption agency in Bellingham, that each and every pregnancy would end up with a loving faith-filled home for that child.
Government:
● Pray for godly wisdom for government officials dealing with very significant issues such as the housing shortage, election integrity and many more.
● The battle is the Lord’s - believe it - the enemy is not flesh and blood. Pray for God’s love to so fill each believer for our neighbors, so that no matter what they believe they will know that we love the Father.
Health:
● Pray for spiritual leadership among the believers in healthcare. Leadership that will focus on Biblical truth and lead in unity submitted to the Savior de-spite all the divisive issues.
● Our community has more needs than the hospital has capacity. Pray for the supernatural provision of joy, discernment, and wisdom for each healthcare worker. That each person will be able to walk in a manner wor-thy of the calling to which they have been called. Ephesians 4:1
International Missions:
● Pray for indigenous missionaries in areas with high covid challenges right now. Pray for their physical health, for supplies to be able to offer aid to others and the boldness to live and speak the gospel as they offer help.
● (from a local missions leader) We have family (brothers and sisters in Christ) in both India and Nepal that need medicine and oxygen, not to mention the finances to pay for those things. Families who have lost their bread-winner, and now are wondering how they will survive. I know we are all tired of Covid. But now is the time to pray earnestly and not give up (Luke 18:1)
● Pray for a worship discipleship camp this August in Israel, bringing togeth-er Jewish, Arab & Palestinian teens and young adults to worship Jesus to-gether. Pray for wisdom and protection for the leadership, unity, and a move of the Spirit among those attending the camp.
These prayer targets were compiled by leaders of LOWPC’s strategic teams. For more resources or to get more involved, contact timscott@lowpc.org