Pray for those who have left our congregation because of wounds and disappointments. Pray for their healing. Pray that they would find a place of worship where their talents and gifts can be used, and where their spiritual needs will be met.

Pray to increase our desire to seek God and come together as a church body. Pray for a renewed hunger to study the Bible and seek Him in prayer. Pray that we would begin to see the Holiness of God and the hatefulness of sin in a deeper way. Pray that we would become passionate, desperate, to know God better.

Pray for any of our number struggling with illness or injury. Pray for God’s provision when work schedules are interrupted. Pray for marriages and families when normal routines are disrupted, and when finances may be short.

Pray for our Shut-ins. There are those of our number who find themselves unable to join in many of our activities. Pray for them. Encourage them. Consider a phone call, a card, or a visit.

Pray for a growing love for God. Pray for a deeper sense of His holiness. Pray for a boldness to come into His presence, but at the same time an awe for His majesty; a recognition of His glory.

Pray for the courage to let God use us as part of His answer. Obedience to the nudging of the Spirit is sometimes costly. God has proved Himself trustworthy, but still expects us to step out. Pray for the courage to obey even when we are terrified.

Thank God for the privilege of prayer. Take a few moments to reflect on the implications. The Creator of the Universe knows you by name. He is slow to anger and abounding in mercy. He loves you with an everlasting love. He invites you to come into His presence.

Pray for God to raise up Leaders among us. Pray for people willing to take up the challenging task of serving on Ministry Council. Pray for sensitivity to God’s leading in our own lives and anything He would ask us to do for our church.

Consider fasting in a broader context than just food. The discipline of saying NO for a short time to something we cling to makes saying NO to other things easier. Think of coffee, chocolate, TV, computers, I-Phones. If you have never fasted before, try a 12 hour fast initially. Spend a moment or two in prayer each time the craving pulls. Although it is ideally a private decision between you and God, challenging one or two others to team up with you for the same time period can be helpful.

Pray for the courage to consider fasting.

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.” —Joel 2:12-13