Prayer to Unify: Feb 7-13

The Lord sets high standards.  Here are a few from Matthew:

• But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment;
• If someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well;
• Do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you;
• Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you;
• Forgive men when they sin against you.

When followed, these standards produce holy unity in His church. They show us God’s holy nature and how He relates to us. Scripture says God is “compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin” (Exodus 34:6). Because of who God is we can, “Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Luke11:9).

Approach the Lord with confidence and praise. He is holy. His power and presence is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us” (Ephesians 3:20).

Purify your church Lord, that to You, “be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:21).

Monday, February 7 – Sunday, February 13

Last week we focused on the first part of the bishops’ call to us as a church to “embrace the good news of Jesus in its entirety… .” This week, remember that prayer is the work out of which all true anointed callings, gifts and tasks come as we pursue the second part of that call, to “… experience its transforming fullness deeply.”

We can better achieve this if we approach the daily prayer tasks by:

• asking the Holy Spirit to direct our thoughts but also those of us as a church — that we would be cleansed and purified as a people
• reading the Scriptures with a heart of thankfulness for the written and living Word — aware that what He calls us to is the very nature of who He is
• allowing the Spirit to convict, instruct and encourage us with new thoughts. As we engage in responsive listening – He will do the work of healing, cleansing, freeing, transforming and empowering.

Monday – February 7th Prayer Task:

“Confession and Repentance”

2 Timothy 2:25 tells us that repentance leads to truth. But repentance is often misunderstood as simply “being sorry” rather than a radical change of mind and behavior.

Read: Romans 2:5–11; Revelation 2:4-5

Pray: Think about how to teach and encourage repentance and pray for those things to come true, both personally and in our church.

Tuesday – February 8^th Prayer Task:

“Integrity”

We display integrity when our words and actions hang together in harmony with our principles. We follow through. We keep promises. We speak plainly. We act consistently.

Read: 1 Samuel 3:19

Pray: Think about how people learn to prize and pursue integrity and pray for those things to come true, both personally and in our church.

Wednesday – February 9^th Prayer Task:

“Forgiveness”

Colossians 3:13 tells us to forgive as we have been forgiven. In order for love to flourish in the church, forgiveness has to be given freely.

Read: Luke 17:3-6; Colossians 3:13–14

Pray: Think about how the church can model and urge forgiveness and pray for those things to come true, both personally and in our church.

Thursday – February 10^th Prayer Task:

“Humility”

In 1 Peter 5 we are instructed to clothe ourselves in humility. In order to truly love, which is the highest quality of our Lord, we have to be humble.

Read: Titus 3:1-2; Philippians 2:3-4; Colossians 3:12–14

Pray: Think about how true humility is expressed in relationships, both within and outside the church. Pray for those things to come true, both personally and in our church.

Friday – February 11^th Prayer Task:

“Wholesome Talk”

The most violated command of scripture just might be, “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths.” Our Book of Discipline urges pastors to read John Wesley’s sermon on evil speaking to their congregations annually.

Read: Ephesians 4:29

Pray: Think about how unwholesome talk can be eliminated and pray for those things to come true, both personally and in our church.

Saturday – February 12^th Prayer Task:

“Unswerving Honesty” CONTINUED BELOW

Our Membership Covenant says we should commit ourselves to strive to be just and honest in all our relationships and dealings. But do we tell the “whole truth” and “nothing but the truth?” Or do we live the lie of pretend spirituality like Ananias and Sapphira?

Read: Acts 5:1-11

Pray: Think about what it will take to promote sincerity in the church and pray for those things to come true, both personally and in our church.

Sunday – February 13^th Prayer Task:

The Sabbath is a day set aside to the Lord and for rest. Prayerfully consider again these themes from last week:

“A Passion for Purity”

Our Membership Covenant says that we should commit ourselves to be free from activities that defile the mind. Yet we are a lax people living in a very lax culture. Think about all the evils we are exposed to voluntarily and involuntarily.

Read: Philippians 4:8

Pray: Think about the repentance and cleansing we need and pray for those things to come true, both personally and in our church.

“A Passion for Wholeness”

Our Membership Covenant says that we should commit ourselves to be free from activities that harm the body. Yet we pursue lifestyles of busy-ness and indulgence that take their toll on our physical and emotional health.

Read: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Pray: Think about what it will take for our people to hunger for wholeness and pray for those things to come true, both personally and in our church.

Related posts:

1. Uniting in Prayer
2. Prayer to Unify: Feb 14-20
3. Prayer to Unify: Feb 21-27
4. Prayer to Unify: Feb 28-Mar 6
5. Unified Prayer: June 6-12