Pray for the Church

We have arrived at a Civilizational Moment

Photo taken by Lance Cashion - Spring fields in Hico, Texas

The American church has arrived at civilizational moment. Generally speaking, the church is overcome with fear and virtually silent in the face of evil. The German church of the late 1930s demonstrated that silence is complicit with evil.

“When the light of the world retreats inside walls of the church, the world becomes a very dark place.” - Unknown

We need to pray.

Below I have provided some prompts from a prayer I prayed at my church's prayer meeting a few months ago.

Praise and thanksgiving to God;
for the Redeeming work of Christ, 
for the Calling of the Church.

Repentance…

“Judgement begins in the household of God…”

(see 1 Peter 4:17)

We admit our hubris and pragmatism, our cowardice and apathy, and our self-sufficiency and worldliness. 

We Repent! Forgive us!

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Change us, Lord!

[Holy Spirit] Change our minds and hearts. Turn us away from our sinful ways. Reorient our minds toward Christ, His Gospel, and His purposes.

We acknowledge our Lord's messages to the seven churches in Revelation;
to the church at Ephesus  - the church that had forsaken its first love (Jesus Christ), 
to the church at Smyrna - the church that would suffer persecution, 
to the church at Pergamum - the church that needed to repent, 
to the church at Thyatira - the church that believed false teachers, 
to the church at Sardis - the church that had fallen asleep, 
to the church at Philadelphia - the church that had endured, 
to the church at Laodicea - the church with the lukewarm faith.

Lord, Ignite a Great Recovery;
of our first love (Jesus Christ), 
of endurance in our suffering, 
of a spirit of repentance, 
of wisdom, discernment, and sound doctrine, 
of true faith and good works, 
of perseverance and courage in our cultural moment, 
of hearts that burn for Holiness and faithful living.

Help us! 
We recommit to obedience to the Word of God. We need an outpouring of your Spirit on your church. Lord, help us recover who we are as your church!

Break our hearts Lord. Humble us as you see fit. Teach us to pray once again. May your Kingdom advance where we live in our generation!

We acknowledge;
Lord, apart from YOU, WE can do nothing! (See John 15:1-11) 
You are Lord of ALL (see Colossians 1:15-20)

“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” (Psalm 90:17)

For Your Glory forever.

In Jesus' name, Amen