Praying God’s Purposes for His Church
Monday, January 17. We thank You, Lord, for Your abundant goodness to us and for providing for us so that we, in turn, can provide for our church’s monetary needs. “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: ‘They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.‘ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness” (2 Corinthians 9:6-10).
Tuesday, January 18. As the members of Ladies Guild gather today, we pray that they would be refreshed and renewed as they study Your Word, being filled and led by Your Spirit. “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).
Wednesday, January 19. Heavenly Father, bless our conversations and interactions tonight at our Wonderful Wednesday dinner and then at Praise Days. May our attitudes and words be pleasing to You. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts” (Acts 2:42-46).
Thursday, January 20. Father, we thank You for all of the missionaries that our church supports. We thank You for the ways in which they have responded to Your call on their lives and how they carry out their work with creativity and excellence and joy. May their words and works bear much fruit, and use them in mighty ways to expand Your Kingdom. “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayer, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus” (Acts 13:2-4).
Friday, January 21. We praise You, our Creator. As our creator, You hear us when we cry out to You, and because You are almighty and loving, You are able to help us. May we be faithful to pray for our healing and the healing of others. “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:14-16).
Saturday, January 22. We thank and praise You for Your extravagant love for us. Fill us again with Your love so that our lives overflow with love for others. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).
Sunday, January 23. Help us as Your people to be very intentional about teaching the truths found in Your Word to our children from an early age, and in Children’s Worship and Sunday School. “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14).