The focus of this week’s prayers is linked to the sermon on ‘Why be Generous?’ from Sunday 10 October, and the follow up sermon on 17 October again on generosity. The prayers are written by Pastor Leslie

11 Oct – In 2019 I wrote a blog on Generosity focussing on nine key words. The following prayers are developed from these biblical words. ‘Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation’ (Acts 24:17).

‘Offerings’ is prosphora which is used for an offering which contains an element of sacrifice. It is the giving to God or to a person in need of something which requires an element of personal sacrifice by the one giving.

The word for ‘alms’ in Acts 24:17 is eleemosune. This was an offering to help the poor. It also was seen as an act which brought righteousness, and God’s favour to the giver.  Jewish thought was that to give to a person in need was considered a sacrifice offered to God based on Proverbs 19:17, ‘if you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord – and He will repay you!’

Father, biblical stewardship teaches us that the noblest use of our talents, time or treasure is in the service of Christ, and through Him in the service of others. We find our fullest satisfaction in laying our lives down as living sacrifices to Christ.

Where are You calling me to consider sacrifice in the giving of my talents, time, and treasure? May Your Spirit empower me to develop the sensitivity to His leading, and the understanding when and how to make an offering. Enable me also not to overlook the poor or those in genuine need, but also recognise the value of the human touch as I minister to them.

Equip our church to be sacrificial in its service of Christ, while living in the favour and blessings that come from generosity. In Jesus’ name. Amen

12 Oct – ‘So two good things will result from this ministry of giving – the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God’ (2 Corinthians 9:12).

The word for ‘ministry of giving’ is leitorgia. This was a noble word in Greek society describing someone who voluntarily paid the expense of another or of the State. Thus in Paul’s use, it denotes a voluntary offering given to the household of God and to be received as an offering which it was a privilege to receive. Leitorgia can describe the weekly tithes and offerings made to the church.

Father, thank You for the privilege of regularly giving to Your work – for the upkeep and ministry of Telford Elim. Malachi 1:6-14 and 3:8-12 teaches us that giving to You and Your work is important to get right.

We shouldn’t give the leftovers or that which costs us least – instead You demand our best. Forgive us if we have cheated You out of that which You commanded us to give to You – our hearts, minds, finances, talents, worship, witness and time. Cleanse, restore and sanctify us. I commit to live with a generous attitude to life. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

13 Oct – ‘So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly’ (2 Corinthians 9:5). ‘Gift’ here is eulogia – a generous gift. It is not a gift given because someone feels pressured to do so or in spite of what they really feel. It is a gift given from a generous and loving heart – it is done with pure motives from an open heart and open, generous hands.

Father, You are such a liberal, generous God. Jesus is our Lord and our Great High Priest, and we purpose to bring to Him the firstfruits of our income and worship from willing hearts and open, generous hands.

I proclaim the lordship of Christ over my personal finances, and our church’s finances. We seek to discern the good stewardship principles contained in Your Word, and confess and seek to enact these to the best of our ability. In Jesus’ name. Amen

14 Oct – ‘We are travelling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift’ (2 Corinthians 8:20). Hadrotes is the word which means a number of gifts pooled together to make this abundant, lavish or generous gift. This is the cumulative offerings brought together into one pot demonstrating the church member’s generosity over a period of time.

Father, on the authority of Your Word, we declare that gifts will be given to us; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over shall they be poured into our bosom so that we as a church can be generous and fulfil the ministry You give to us.

For with the same measure we deal out, it shall be measured back to us. Grant the wisdom to be above reproach in all our financial dealings.

We remember that it is written in Your Word that he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings.

Lord remind us always, and we purpose to remember, that it is You Who gives us power, within the moral boundaries of Your Word, to become rich by ethical means; You do it to fulfil Your ancient promises and because of Your righteous and gracious nature.

We will never feel that it was our own power and might that made us relatively wealthy in comparison to the Majority in this world. Enable us to be lavish as a church in how we bless others. In Jesus’ name. Amen

15 Oct – ‘They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem’ (2Corinthians 8:4). Gift here is diakonia, the same word for a church ‘deacon’ or a ‘servant.’

Here it means the practical serving of others – this is giving which is practical in its origin for a practical purpose such as supporting ministers or the day by day running of the church and its ministries.

Also, in the same verse, ‘sharing in’ is koinonia which is the word for ‘fellowship.’ A willing, loving participation – and offering of oneself or what one has to the service of the church, and those in need often done through financial offerings; literally, ‘our delight is in giving to our brethren in Christ.’

Father, when You call us into the fellowship of a local church – You call us to a willing, loving service in that church. We pray for the wisdom and grace needed to be such practical, giving people in true fellowship with one another. In Jesus’ name. Amen

16 Oct – ‘On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.’ ‘Collect’ is logia – an offering which is the opposite of a tax.

Paul was concerned that if the collections were taken when he was there then these may have been seen as actually for his own private use. He wanted the church to freely take up weekly offerings as non-legalistic forms of giving, and these to be seen as above reproach, and for the benefit stipulated when the offering was taken up. This was a collection – not a tax imposed on the believers.

Thank You Father that as You bless us and we bless others, they will praise You and give You thanks and bless others – the circle of Your love and blessing will go on and on bringing honour and glory to Your beloved Son.

Lord, in accordance with Your Word and Your promise to us – I ask that You will supply all our needs according to Your glorious riches from and by Christ Jesus so that we can be empowered to give freely. We commit into Your hands all our bills including mortgage, rent, council tax, weekly grocery bills, fuel costs, heating and electric, telephone, insurance, Income tax and NIC, holiday costs, clothing, tithes and offerings, and all other bills that we may have. In Jesus’ name we ask that You will supply our daily provision, and teach us to be trusting, faithful and prudent with our personal finances. In Jesus’ name. Amen

17 Oct – ‘When I come, I will write letters of recommendation for the messengers you choose to deliver your gift to Jerusalem’ (1 Corinthians 16:3). Gift here is the wonderful charis – the word we render as ‘grace.’

It was a free gift, freely given from a loving heart. He did not compel them to give – God was at work in their hearts motivating them to give.

Father, as we have reflected in prayer on these nine words – may You open our hearts and minds to Your word, and enable us to live with a more generous attitude to life, church, Your service, worship and witness to Jesus than we presently have. In the name of Jesus. Amen