Prayer for Christian Churches in the U.S.

We know that Jesus is coming. The Bible tells us:

You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Luke 12:40 ESV)

Are we ready? Are churches ready? Are we as individuals ready? Each day, we are closer. Have we done our part?

Please pray with me:
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Father in heaven, You are the Great Designer, and You have created and ordained the earth. By contrast, we bring sin with us everywhere we go and we taint the beauty of Your Handiwork. Truly, we have spoiled Your stunning Creation. Our sin has such great cost.

And how did You respond? You sent Your Son. You came to us. You paid the price—which was so great. How can we understand such love? We don’t know how. We are humbled. We are grateful.

Praise and acclamation belong to You alone for Your patience and Your compassion. You have made us a new creature to those who believe in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17).

It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (Lam 3:22-23).

Bring this to our understanding that our commitment to Your will and Your work in us can be complete. Let us not forget Hebrews 12:2:

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.

May Your Word bring us great consolation, peace, gratitude and joy. May Your Word incite commitment and resolve to do Your will moment by moment.

We choose to be bound by our sin. Forgive us. Yet, this need not be! Hope is complete through Jesus Christ, who came to

“… preach good tidings unto the meek …bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

“… to comfort all that mourn; …to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:1, and Luke 4:18)

Where we have fallen short, where we have not been a message of hope to our communities, guide our churches to repent before You. We ask You to forgive us and open our eyes to see opportunity.

Surely we are Your body – Your outreach into the world to proclaim the Living Christ! But we fall short. We have not accepted the beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Therefore, we are not a “tree of righteousness” that glorifies You!

Help Lord! You can turn all this around! Have mercy on us! Oh Holy Spirit convict the hearts of whole churches to repent, to receive Your joy, Your beauty, and to exalt You with praise. May we eagerly cast off the spirit of heaviness! Establish churches as “trees of righteousness” —both individually and through their outreach. Let us cry out to You and may You clothe us in commitment!

Through the power of Your Holy Spirit, establish the root systems—roots that go deep and solid and are founded in Your Word. Water each church—the Holy Spirit leading and guiding the leadership and members. Cause each tree to grow into a balanced, stalwart foundation within each community.

May Your Holy Spirit have free reign that the fruit grow soundly and without blight. As fruit, may we be mature, firm; inviting and tasteful. May the Word of hope in Jesus Christ follow every member through every interaction of their week. And may Jesus Christ be glorified! Hallelujah!

May each church member gather in anticipation of glorious worship each Sunday, amazed at Your work to grow them both individually and collectively. May we be so excited to share what You have accomplished, that we can’t wait to encourage others and worship You in one accord.

May our worship rise up and may it be a savory perfume to You. May You be pleased with us daily—both individually and collectively. And may we find Your joy and peace as we enthusiastically demonstrate the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a habit of living in our lives.

In the Name of Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!