This Sunday we were studying Mark 9:30-50. In light of this passage, we are taking seven days to pray for our Elders, staff, and church leaders. Maythe Holy Spirit reveal any sin that hinders us from serving. May the Holy Spirit bring a fresh wave of repentance. May the Holy Spirit give us a will to change. And then may the Holy Spirit bring rain on prepared soil so that we see a crop 30, 60, and 100 fold.
Monday: Made deeply and painfully aware of our selfish agendas in ministry.
Tuesday: Receive everyone as we do children, with no thought of their accomplishments, their influence, their fame, or their gifts.
Wednesday: Die to all competitive attitudes in ministry.
Thursday: Promptly and decisively discard our sin that we might not be rendered useless or hurt others.
Friday: Rejoice in suffering, rather than complaining or quitting when ministry is hard.
Saturday: Undone by the call to serve and lose our lives so that it drives us to tears of repentance at the cross.
Sunday: Enter into the fullness of Jesus’ peace with each other so that we will be salt to the world.
Thanks for praying,
Neil
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11 comments:
Really enjoyed the sermon today...convicting and encouraging! A friend of mine stated that he put "in marriage" at the end of every daily prayer instead of "in ministry" to help him pray for his marriage. Thank you for leading us to pray for all the leaders, the church and ourselves over the next 7 days. For what it's worth, I also really liked the prayers at the beginning for the Riffes, the Wagners and the 3 people who came to Chirist. It makes me feel connected to the entire body when we pray for one another.
Heavenly Father,
Do a mighty work in the Elders, staff and leaders of NBC. Reveal to them sin seen and unseen that keeps them from serving you in entirety. Lord, convict them in ways that they need to change and reveal that to their hearts. They are all winners in Christ; without Him no one wins. I especially thank you Lord for our Senior Pastor and that you gifted him with such compassion and willingness to share from his heart.
In Christ,
Amen
King of Kings,
Lord open the hearts of our Elders, staff and church leaders. Please help them to see and receive everyone as you see and receive us; with open arms at all times. You grace us with Your love time and time again. We are never unloved even when we feel most alone and lonely. Please help them to see Christ in everyone that crosses their path, regardless of what they have accomplished, name dropping, the social cirles they run in or according to their individual gifts. You created us in Your image. Please convict the hearts of our leaders to see Your Son Jesus with every one they come in contact with. For when we look into the face and eyes of another, that is the closest we will come to Glory. When we look into the eyes of another we get to see our loving, Heavenly Father.
In Jesus' precious name,
Amen
Lord and Savior,
It is late, but your ears are willing! I lift to You our precious Pastor, staff and leaders who so graciously serve you Father. Please convict their hearts of any competitive desire. When we help others, we serve You and further Your Kingdom. Their are no losers in Christ. You bless those who bless others. Why wouldn't we want others in You Lord to succeed and prosper and grow intimately with you? Jealousy, pride, resentment? Could those be a few? Please help them Father to keep their blinders on and to focus on Your Son Jesus. He loves us as we are and as we love others we love Him well. Thank You Jesus for Your body at Northwest. I can hardly wait until Sunday morning. I long for fellowship with those that love and serve You! May You keep watch over all; keep them safe, rested and longing for You.
In His Holy Name,
Amen
Dear Holy One,
Wow! I need help with this one. Most gracious Father, gather the elders, staff and leaders of Northwest Bible; convict their hearts of their sin. Even sin that feels right. Help them all to take a closer look in the mirror. Help them Lord to not pass judgment, criticize or hurt the soul of another child of Yours. Help them to put all sin away; to turn from it falling on their knees for your patient, loving guidance. How they need You Father. We all need You. I pray that they are able to turn to Your divine love today. I pray that You fill their needs as they serve You. You feel so much better than sin Father. Bless our Pastor, elders, staff and leaders who serve You. Remind them Who they serve not what they serve.
In His loving mercy,
Amen
Heavenly Father,
Please help the elders, staff and leaders of NBC to rejoice in their sufferings, challenges and obstacles in ministry. Help them to see them as opportunites to learn a better way of doing things; Your way. A bitter heart doesn't harvest a good crop! In serving Christ, the road becomes more and more narrow. Lord, please help them to be patient in affliction! You called us to serve You Lord, not to grumble and complain. Help them to remember that when conflicts arise and disappointments set in. Your way is not easy, but it is the way. Jesus, help them to want what You want as they serve you with a humble heart. Help them to stand firm in Your holiness.
For the love of Christ,
Amen
Thanks for the prayers for our leaders.
Most gracious One,
I lift to You our Pastor, elders, staff and leaders. May they surrender their wants, needs and desires to match those of Yours Father. Please give them repentant hearts As they surrender to You Lord. Help them to die to self to want what You want Jesus. May they grow closer to You daily as they serve You. Help them to remain focused and committed to Your calling upon them; for the body follows. Thank You Lord especially for our Pastor; for Your anointing that spills out of his lips, for His passion to preach and his commitment to serve You Lord. Please bless him in the morning as he delivers Your words of truth and grace.
In His grace,
Amen
Father God,
As prayers are lifted to You for our Pastor, elders, staff and leaders may they be in the fullness of Your peace. I pray that they sprinkle salt on all they come across and that everyone they come in contact with will see a reflection of Your Son Jesus Christ. Bless them all this morning and every morning they serve You with a willing heart. Bless the body of Northwest. May all the leaders and body become more and more like You Lord.
In His holiness,
Amen
I can't express enough how much I have personally been encouraged by the prayers from the body this week as well as those left here on the blog.
Let's pray a lot and trust God for supernatural work that we could never to on our own!
It was my pleasure to pray and I was amazed at how the Holy Spirit gave me the words to say and encouraged me not to quit praying. He was my strength when I was weak as I was one who raised my hand commiting to pray.
I just lifted Stephanie in prayer trusting that she arrived in India safely. I prayed for her safety, health, and for all to go smoothly especially when she is missing her family and homecooked meals. I prayed for peace for her and your family as she is so far away. I know she will do a great job as she has two loving fathers and family as well. That is a blessing she can take with her for the rest of her life. She knows without a doubt that you love and are secure in the Lord.
Thanking God for your leadership. He has blessed the body of believers at Northwest beyond measure. I am a grateful member!
The sermom was great today. I so appreciated the raw honesty and vulnerability. That is what makes a church a home. Neil and Jody have now become safe for others to approach. What a gift it is that they can bless others by sharing how the Lord restored their marriage as they turned to Him. He is the way, the truth and the life. John 14:6
In Him,
Amen
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