We are spending the month of September concentrating on prayer while immersing in time with Jesus. We start with the local church, which for many of you is Hope; two thoughts as you move into this week focused on the ministry of your church:

Hebrews 13:18

“Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.”

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

“pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored.”

The desire is that we at the local level of disciple-making are making decisions in ways that honor God and enable His message to spread rapidly; pray for nothing less than this.

We step into this week celebrating You, Father, who makes us one family under You in the church;

We celebrate You, Jesus, who lived a life of service for us;

We celebrate You, Holy Spirit,  who calls us together as church;

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Lord, as we seek to further develop our discipleship-oriented ministry at Hope, enable us by Your Holy Spirit to manage well the differences of opinion and preference within the people who currently make up your local church. Build an over-riding, Spirit-driven attitude that produces a strong unity among us, validating the belief and truth that everyone is a valued part of Hope’s team – Your team!

Amen.

Luke 6:12-13

One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also designated apostles.

Heavenly Father, guide Your team of leaders at Hope particularly through these days of decision that impact the future years of ministry with our church. Bless those leading Small Groups, Worship, Preschool, and Discipleship learning classes; bless the parents leading children, disciple-ers leading disciple-ees – and of course bless those leading our Board of Governance and Discipleship Ministry Team. Keep our ears and hearts attuned to Your Spirit’s leading, and keep our spirits in a mode of humble following, prayerful support, and mutual encouragement of each other. In Jesus’ name;

Amen.

Mark 11:24

[Jesus speaks...] Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Father God, as partnership within the community progresses, bless our relationships with the Blanchard Park YMCA, with LiveUCF, with Arbor Ridge Elementary and Middle School, with Cornerstone Pregnancy’s ThriVe center, and with the fellow churches meeting on our premises: Esperanza Viva and Jesus to the World. May You be central to all that we do. Bless me personally to realize that You desire to see me partner with others in helping Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as You desire it in heaven.

Amen.

Luke 11:1

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

Father God, bless the ministry and discipleship, the care and the accountability that occurs in our Small Groups and Micro-groups. May everyone find safe and fruitful groups to participate in as learners and leaders. Bless the time spent in Your Word, in fellowship with in each other, in prayer, and in service to church and community; and foster an attitude of reaching out to others who could benefit from such opportunities to grow in and with You.

Amen.

Matthew 14:23

After he had dismissed them, Jesus went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray.

Father God, bless the ministry and discipleship, the care and the accountability that occurs in my Small Group and Micro-groups. May it be safe and fruitful for me and all others who gather with me. Bless me as a learner and a leader – I want to be Your disciple both following and leading. Bless my time spent in your Word, in prayer, my fellowship time with others, and my service in the church and community; foster in me an attitude of love that reaches out to others who could benefit from such opportunities to grow in and with You. In Jesus’ name I pray these things,

Amen

Luke 5:16

Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Church Prayer

As our church strives to fulfill our vision of making disciples who make disciples, continue to transform us in the process. As You decide what is helpful, Lord, change, add, or eliminate whatever brings about Your will through us.

Amen.

Personal Prayer

As I strive to make disciples who make disciples, continue to transform me in the process. As You decide what is helpful, Lord, change, add, or eliminate whatever brings about Your will through me.

Amen.

Psalm 118:24

This is the day the Lord has made – Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Lord, as we continue our journey as a church under Your guidance and grace, enable us to be and become a church that celebrates life from and in You. Help us live out the truth that This is the day the Lord has made – Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Amen.