Dear God,
As we begin our work here this today, please help us
to remember that we are here for You and that the effort we put forth here today is for You. Please grant us the wisdom to plan a church that will bring disciples to your ministry, members to Your church and partners in reaching those in our community who need You to find and come to You.
Please grant us the humility to remember that we are here for You, and provide us the strength to put aside our personal feelings and loyalties so that we may build a church that will last another two hundred years; a church that will meet the needs of Your children, young and old, in and around Rock Hall; the children that You love so much; a church that will assist them in knowing the joy that comes from accepting and loving You and the eternal life that will come to them when that happens.
In your son Jesus' name, we pray. Amen
Day 1. Pray for an openness to God’s presence. “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 Often churches entering a Vital Merger have been in decline for a number of years. It is time for a fresh awakening to the presence of God in the church.
Pray for awareness of God’s presence as the churches consider a Vital Merger.
Pray the people of all the congregations would be comforted by God’s presence and open to guidance.
Pray specifically for each church considering merger.
Day 2. Pray for an openness to God’s action through the Holy Spirit. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere —in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 Nothing of any great substance can happen in the church without the power and movement of the Holy Spirit.
Invite the Holy Spirit’s action in the life of these churches.
Pray the people recognize and accept the guidance and work of the Holy Spirit.
Pray that the people of this new church would be effective witnesses in the mission field.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the people of your community to make them receptive to the Good News of Jesus and to increase the compassion and understanding of the churches to be invitational in ways that meet real needs.
Day 3. Pray for the Merger Team “May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” Matt 6:10 The Merger Team has a monumental task ahead of them. They must listen to God and make decisions that they believe are best for the church. They will be responsible for the direction that this new church moves.
Pray for team members by name.
Pray that they will be open to God and willing to make difficult decisions.
Pray that they will not be swayed by personal agendas, either their own or the agendas of others in the congregation.
Day 4. Pray for your neighbors One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:25-29 Who lives in the mission field (the community around the churches)? What are their needs? How can this new church effectively meet their needs?
Pray for the people in the mission field.
Pray for those in the mission field who are hurting.
Ask God how the new church can effectively meet the needs of your neighbors.
Day 5. Pray for the Mission At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, he laid out the mission/purpose of what he came to do. “He (Jesus) unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.’ Then he began to speak to them. ‘The Scripture you’ve just head has been fulfilled this very day.’” Luke 4:17-21 The Mission or purpose of the church guides the direction and ministries of the church. Agreement and alignment are essential.
Pray for clear direction from God about the Mission of the church.
Pray for an agreement in the church around the stated Mission.
Pray for peace and a willingness to align all ministries of the church around the Mission/Purpose.
Day 6. Pray for Vision “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18 The new church must have a clear understanding of the vision and direction of the church in the next few years. What is God’s vision for us?
Pray that we would have a clear understanding of God’s vision for us?
Pray for the Merger Team to be sensitive to God’s leading as they discern the vision.
Pray for the congregation to affirm the new vision.
Day 7. Pray for Clarity of values “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other.” Matt 6:24 Values undergird behaviors and practices in the church. They are crucial to the culture, the shared attitudes, and beliefs that define a church. Much has been written about the church and culture. Most of it, however, refers to the culture around a church. Just as important is the culture within a church, the shared attitudes, values, and beliefs that define a church and shape its practices.
Pray for understanding of the values of each church discerning a Vital Merger.
Pray for clarity around the values of our new congregation.
Pray for the Merger Team as they discern and clarify the values of the new church.
Did you sense any leadings from God as you prayed for Him to lay a solid foundation for your church?