Week of Prayer: Day 2

As we continue this week in prayer, today we are are going to pray for the ministries in the church. Yesterday Nichole gave some helpful ways to pray for the church and today I hope some will join us in praying for God to unify and edify us through the various ministries in the church.

1. Pray that all ministry will be controlled by genuine love and humility.

2. Pray that as we labor together it will be obvious that each ministry is extremely interdependent. We can't do ministries of service, mercy, administrations, encouragement, etc. rightly unless we are are taught properly from the word how. And, teaching cannot effectively take place unless acts of service are being done to help the teaching ministry; such as setting up tables, sound ministry, encouraging the teachers and encouraging others to go where they can be taught. If teaching is present with the absence of mercy it could get dangerous and extremely discouraging!

3. Pray for God to raise up people to strengthen weak areas in our Church; rather than complain about the weaknesses in certain ministries or lack of a certain ministry.

Now we will get to some, not all ministries ( I do not know them all).

4. Pray for the shepherding ministry. Pray that our shepherds will be on guard for themselves and the flock in all diligence. Pray that they will remember that this church was purchased by and belongs to Jesus, not them. Pray for humility, joy and faithfulness to us and our families because they will give an account for each and every soul at TBC. Pray that God's word will reign in the direction they drive the church. Pray that they will be temperate, gentle, faithful in all things, and that they will stay pure and free from self-exaltation. Pray for perseverance and patience. Pray God would be pleased to raise up other qualified men to help shoulder the shepherding.

5. Pray for the Deacon ministry. Pray that they will be examples to flock of what submission and humility looks like. Pray that they will faithfully, efficiently and effectively use gifted people in the body to take care of the needs in the body. Pray that they will persevere.

6. Pray for the teaching ministry. Pray for fruit in our households and communities through what we are being taught in "The Forge". Pray for the teachers to be careful in how they teach and to have sufficient time to study. Pray for the children's teachers. Pray for the children to receive the teaching and know Jesus. Pray that the teachers would enjoy the fruit of their labors. Thank God for your teachers including those who do not teach in an official capacity. Pray for those you know who are teaching individuals and working through in a more intimate way the things we are being taught from the pulpit and the classrooms.

7.Pray for the nursery ministry. Pray for Jon and Esme to persevere despite complaining and lack of help. Pray for more nursery workers. Pray for the children to be safe and well cared for while we are in service and thank God for those willing to sacrifice time and keeping their clothes clean to pray for and tenderly care for our children so we can learn without interruptions.

8. Pray for the sound ministry. Ask Gary Randle, Aaron Armitage, Matt Henry Jr. ( Matty) or Dave Fantl how we can pray for them. ( These are the guys I know for sure are doing this ministry, sorry for missing anyone) These guys record the service and make sure we can listen to a sermon if we missed it because we were in the nursery *hint hint*. This ministry affects people all around the world, because people in other countries can download the sermons. They make sure we can hear Pastor Matt on a Sunday morning.

9. Pray for the cleaning ministry. Pray for faithfulness and perseverance for those who week in and week out clean up our messes and make sure the bathrooms are clean and ready for use. Pray that they will see fruit from their labor. Think of ways to appreciate them.

Remember these are just a few of the ministries in our church, pray for those that you are part of or remember.

Here is a prayer from The Valley of Vision that we can pray for ourselves as we roll up our sleeves and labor beside out brothers and sisters in the church:

O My Lord,
Forgive me for serving thee in sinful ways- by glorying in my own strength, by forcing myself to minister out of necessity, by accepting the applause of others, by trusting in assumed grace and spiritual affection, by a faith that rests upon my hold on Christ, not on him alone, by having another foundation to stand upon beside thee; for thus I make flesh m arm.

Help me see that it is faith stirred by grace that does the deed, that faith brings a man nearer to thee, raising him above mere man, that thou dost act upon the soul when thus elevated and lifted out of itself, that faith centers in thee as God all-sufficient, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, as God efficient, mediately, as in thy commands and promises, immediately, in all hidden power that faith sees and knows to be in thee, abundantly, with omnipotent effect, in the revelation of thy will. If I have not such faith I am nothing.

It is my duty to set thee above all others in mind and eye: but it is my sin that I place myself above thee. Lord, it is a special evil of sin that every breach of thy law arises from contempt of thy Person, from despising thee and thy glory, from preferring things before thee. Help me abhor myself in comparison of thee, and keep me in a faith that works by love, and serves by grace. Amen!