A Church to Pray

As Christians, we all know that we should pray for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who are part of our church community. However, praying for the church community itself is different than praying for the people of that church community. For example, if you have a brother in Christ who is going through a career transition, you can pray for him as part of the church community. You may pray for God’s grace to settle upon him as he decides and ask that God give him the wisdom and discernment that he will need. That is what praying for a fellow Christian in the church community looks like. Praying for the church itself is different, in the sense that you are praying for the group of people or the church community, and not necessarily for an individual who is a part of it. One example is praying for the church to be bold in their city, to fulfill the mandate of the Great Commission and preach the Gospel to others. Another instance where a Christian can pray with regards to a church is when they are choosing a church community to join. Maybe they moved to a different place, and they need to find a church to join and call home.

Why is it important to pray for your church?

It is important to pray for the church, first of all, because God has commanded us that prayers, intercessions, and supplications must be made for all people. It is written in 1 Timothy 2:1-15 and Ephesians 6:18:

1 Timothy 2:1

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

Ephesians 6:18

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Praying for the church also includes praying for the church’s leaders, which is a crucial recipient to pray for. The leaders are the ones who are pastoring and overseeing the church, meaning that they have significant influence over the church. For example, if a church leader does not have in mind the Great Commission or the things that Christians are expected to do, in accordance with God’s Word, chances are good that the congregation shall also not have them in mind and will fail to do those things. It is also vital to pray for the church to uphold sound biblical doctrines. There have been churches that have swayed from upholding sound biblical doctrines and teachings and embraced diluted biblical teachings to accommodate their desires. Paul, in his letter to Timothy, warns us of this:

2 Timothy 4:3-4

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

One example is the so-called “Prosperity Gospel”, believing that everything will be like heaven on Earth for Christians, including a good long life, perfect health, riches, and all the desires a person could have. It is the belief that everything will fall into place because you are a Christian. It claims to be biblical, but there are lots of theological errors. Of course, Christians can pray to God for those things, but the Bible is also clear that in this world there is also suffering (Romans 8:18)(Romans 5:3-5)(Romans 8:28)(James 1:2-4)(John 16:33)(Revelation 21:4)(2 Timothy 3:12)(Philippians 3:8-11)(Romans 8:35)(1 Peter 3:14)(James 1:12). Even the apostles suffered. Praying for a church to always be faithful with the handling of the Scriptures is very important because the right doctrine leads to right living.

2 Thessalonians 3:1

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

Colossians 4:2-4

2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

2 Timothy 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Titus 1:7

For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

The church is the institution that God has appointed to redeem His people. The church is the only one who knows about the Gospel. Only when the church obeys its own mandate, which is to make disciples, can other people know about the Gospel of Christ. Of course, God can do it on His own, but the church is mandated to do it. You cannot expect the government or other non-profit organizations to do this, because they also need the Gospel. The church plays a vital role in the Christian path of believers and impacts whether non-believers will get to hear about Christ or not. That is why you should always pray for your church.

Here is how you can pray for your church:

Heavenly Father, I pray for my church to always be faithful and obedient to Your commands. I pray that the community shall desire heavenly treasures, rather than earthly ones, and that they shall always keep an eternal perspective on everything they see in life. I pray that the church shall always be faithful to the Scriptures. Give them the grace to handle it rightly, and never distort the truth of Your Word for their passions. I pray that the congregation shall take their pursuit of holiness seriously and that they will always strive to live an upright and righteous life by Your grace. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

What are some good prayers to pray for?

There are so many things that you can pray for your church. One of the things that you can pray for is that they will be the kind of church that will love God more than the world. Sadly, there are some churches that are hardly different from a secular institution. What seems to be a Sunday service looks more like a Ted Talk or a secular event held every Sunday. Worship almost looks like a concert, rather than a worship service for God. So many churches have adopted worldliness to be relevant or trendy. Here is how you can pray for your church to always love God more than the world:

Father in heaven, I pray for my church to love You more than anything in this world and that, as children of Yours, they will put to death what is earthly in them. I pray, Father, that the worldly culture shall never sway them, but rather that they shall be counter-cultural. I also pray that they will find more satisfaction in knowing that You are honored by doing what is less popular, but right in your eyes, rather than compromising to get the world’s applause. Give them the grace, Father, to always seek the things that are above and ensure that they will love You above everything else, with all their heart, mind, and soul. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Another thing that you can pray for relates to gossiping. The sad reality is that gossiping can be a serious issue in a church. A lot of Christians end up leaving a church because of gossip. The thing is, gossiping is a sin before God. The Bible is clear that God hates gossip. Therefore, the church should put to death whatever gossip arises. Here is how you can pray for the gossip culture to disappear in your church:

Heavenly Father, I pray for my church that they shall never delight in gossiping about the issues, problems, or situations of others. Instead, I ask that they shall hate gossip just as You do and put a stop to it whenever they hear any gossip. I pray, Father, that they shall take gossip seriously and prevent whatever broken relationships or hurt that may arise from it. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

You can also pray for the church to deny themselves as they minister to the world. Meaning, all they should want as they minister is for Christ to be preached, not for them to become famous by using the platform of preaching the Gospel. Here is how you can pray for your church to always maintain the right motives when they minister or preach the Gospel to others:

Father in heaven, I pray for my church as they go out to preach Christ to the world that they shall always do it out of pure devotion, solely to preach the Gospel so that they may know Christ, not so that they can make themselves look good or gain fame. I pray, Father, for those who desire to get into full-time ministry to not see ministry as a platform to become famous, but rather as a calling and a serious vocation that they should treat with fear and trembling, as they will be leading a flock that you entrust to them. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Lastly, you can pray for the believers in your church to always persevere in the faith, despite the sufferings that they may encounter in life. Here is how you can pray for the church to persevere:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for giving your elect the grace to persevere in the faith, despite the sufferings, challenges, and trials they are going through. Remind them, Father, to count it all joy whenever they face trials of various kinds and that everything works together for the good of those who love You, even if their circumstances are tough. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Praying for our church is something that we should do regularly. In this world, where we are in a spiritual war against powerful forces of darkness, our spiritual enemies will surely scheme against our church. Just remember that the church is on the offensive. Greater is God who is in us than the devil who is of the world. Always cover your church in prayer to keep it secure and safe.