Romans 3:23Please pray with me:
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
2 Chronicles 7:14
if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Heavenly Father,
This nation has called You since the beginning and You have blessed us. The blessing has been extraordinary. Thank You. I have taken so much for granted and I have not prayed for our leadership or our pastors as I should. Forgive me. Show me the path to repent.
Is there any sin that does not start as pride? When I get angry, isn't it because I have placed what I want above everything else? ...and I want to control others so that I get what I want. Forgive me.
Oh Father, even in our churches, we seem to have a breeding ground for pride and pretense. "How are you?" ..."Just fine, thank you. And you?" "I'm find too." ...when the reality is that we are falling apart. Participation on committees brings notoriety and extends power to those appointed. Our service that we render to the church brings favor, which lifts us up. It feels good to be noticed. It feels good to be "selected." It seems we have made ourselves the focus rather than You. We enjoy having position. Help us to be diligent with the responsibility and trust, as we serve.
Open our hearts so that each of us can see our motives. Open our hearts each day to see the times where we have pretended we are fine, or pretended we are troubled. Help us to see the manipulation that comes from our words as we issue them to others.
It isn't always appropriate to say what is real. The situation determines it. Holy Spirit, grant us discernment.
After all that Christ has done for us, give us a heart to know that YOU have given us great favor, great honor...which we do not deserve. Help us to understand our place before Your throne and may it permanently humble us. May we never forget what You, Jesus Christ have done on our behalf. May we not diminish what it took for You, Father, to turn Your back on Your Son.
Establish in each of us, our place of total ineptness, and may we daily embrace the love that You have demonstrated towards us. ...that we may have fellowship with You. May the overwhelming understanding bring us to true servanthood.
What about the pastors at churches in the U.S? Move in their hearts to become true servant leaders. As Christ sacrificed Himself for the Church, may they demonstrate that same love for their churches. Jesus, pour out Your love for Your Church through these pastors, that they may know the joy of sacrificial love.
Hebrews 12:2Open the eyes of congregations to see the humility of these pastors and may each of us go forth into our week, discerning our pride, replacing it with sacrificial love. May these actions be the outpouring and demonstration of our love for You and desire to become Christ-like. May these acts bring us closer to You. May our relationship be sweet—both with You and with each other.
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Father, establish pastors to demonstrate repentance, humility, and servant leadership. And may their congregations go forth with their example to live honorably before You.
In Jesus’ Name.
***These prayers are my own and the content does not reflect the philosophy or policies of any organization. They are offered in good faith that others may find them helpful in their prayer life and that the Church of Jesus Christ may be found faithful in the day of His coming.
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