Praying for that which makes for a Godly Life

Mar 18 – Father, the Great Commission, of Matthew 28, is still a foundational principle, command, for the Church to follow. Since it is Your people who constitute the Church, then it falls on us to seek to obey Jesus’ command in it.

We acknowledge our weaknesses and inadequacies in making disciples. We ask that a new purpose would arise in our hearts, placed there by Your Spirit and word, to become deeply committed to the noble cause of making disciples.

As we seek to focus on this task, guide and equip us to be successful in this enterprise. May we become intentional praying, asking and seeking You in order to for us to personally make a disciple, or disciples.

May our desire be noble and righteous seeking to bring them into the heart of Your Church, and connecting them to worship, witness to Jesus, giving You their best, and serving You wholeheartedly.

Equip me to connect to and journey with a young or immature Christian – I pray for a divine appointment this month in this area. I would to see them equipped for a Christ-honouring, fruitful life, living continually filled with your word and Spirit.

May I even have the joy of leading others into a saving relationship with our Lord Jesus. – Your beloved Son. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Mar 19 – Father, thank You for the example of those who journey with others in their Christian Walk – seeking to support, praying for and encouraging them.

Forgive me for the times that I have been so self-preoccupied that I have failed to pray for others discerning Your voice calling me to reach out with Your love, word, mercy and grace.

For those I have failed to speak to, send a message to, or encourage because I have wasted the opportunities to do so – may You send another, or even ‘send me’ if there is still the opportunity to do so.

I confess that I have often been blissfully unaware of what You are saying to me through circumstances and others, as well as in prayer, or when I read the Bible, or through the Spirit’s gifts or nudges.

Sometimes when I am aware and open to be used by You – I am unsure of what is the best way to speak or support. I ask for wisdom and the guidance of your Holy Spirit in this area so that I will become much more available to You, and therefore useful to my brothers and sisters in Christ, and to the last, least and lost You are nudging me to reach out to. In Jesus’ name.  Amen

Mar 20 – Father, thank You for the example of those who face great suffering, in faith, and with the confidence of Your Fatherly love and presence keeping them at Rest in You. We pray for those we know who are suffering today…

As we pray for them, we have confidence that Your Will – will be outworked, and Your truth and ways made known. You have promised to sustain them in sickness, and to restore their soul in righteousness and joy.

Even through the valley of the shadow of death, Your presence, and Your Shepherding care will not leave them – Your staff guiding their steps through the dark days, and Your rod protecting when they need it.

You are God, and You bring great comfort and peace to all who ask for these graces, or are prayed for to receive them. In Jesus’ name and for His glory. Amen

Mar 21 – Father, the Scriptures are clear that suffering is one of the tools in Your armoury which You use, no matter its origins; teach is how to learn how to face it in this life, and receive its benefits for our soul for Christ’s glory.

We do not run after suffering, but we recognise its good in furthering our Christian Maturity when it does come to us. Grant us, as a church, a right perspective on the place of suffering in the Christian life.

Holy Spirit, teach us how to pray for those suffering in any way, and yet to boldly proclaim our confidence in You as Healer, Deliverer and the Compassionate One.

We declare our belief that You still Heal and Deliver.

Guide us, by Your Holy Spirit, when we pray for others, and sometimes get the privilege to minister to them – to know when to pray for healing or deliverance for that person, and when to pray instead for grace, strength and endurance of faith in his or her life during a period of suffering. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Mar 22 – Father, we give You praise and thanks for family.

Many have wonderful experiences as part of their families, some less so, and sadly some terrible, life-defiling experiences.

We also pray for women in romantic relationships today. It is really difficult to navigate relationships when the world’s message to women is contradictory, often dismissive of biblical values, and disrespectful to the institution of biblical marriage.

We pray especially for Christian wives today, no matter what the circumstances are that they find themselves in. May their relationship with You, Lord, define who they are; may they portray well what it means to be a good Christian wife.

May they first and foremost be identified with Christ, and empowered by Your Holy Spirit to live a noble, loving and grace-filled life. We pray for the Christian wives we know today…   In Jesus’ name. Amen

Mar 23 – Father, he who finds a wife finds a treasure, and receives favour from You. A good wife is such a blessing. Thank You for my wife, Joan.

A good mother, whether a biological mother, adopted mother, or spiritual mother, sets a good example, and leaves a good legacy for her child or children, and eventually their spouses/partners, and families. Bless the mothers in our church.

May they know how much they are loved and valued. We pray for any facing a trial or trials because of the behaviour or attitude of their children, may they be strengthened and upheld by grace.

On the other hand, if any mother is controlling or manipulative seeking to raise her children according to her will and plan, may You redemptively bring that sin and weakness to the surface – in order that she may turn from such a way of treating her children, no matter what her age.

May the example of good mothers be acknowledged and modelled so that new Christian mothers can follow their example, and many give thanks and praise for godly mothers in Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Mar 24 – Father, we pray today for grandmothers. Our society desperately needs good grandmothers whose hearts are knit to their grandchildren. Bless the grandmothers in our church.

Guide them in their prayers for their families, sustain them with Your grace in the relationships with their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. May Christ’s grace be the hallmark of their lives.

May they be bold to present Christ, brave to stand for biblical values, and courageous to confront the enemy when he seeks to devour their families and grandchildren.

Pour out upon them the Spirit of prayer and intercession knowing when to speak, when to pray, and when to give You room to work in their grandchildren, and great grandchildren’s lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen