How to Pray for Local Churches and Ministries
The churches in our region are the local expression of the Body of Christ. Jesus is the hope of the world, and he chose to make himself known to the world through his church! Churches and ministries must thrive so that the ongoing ministry of Jesus can continue to expand.
Lancaster County has over 500 churches and many ministries. Let’s cover them in prayer, asking God to pour out his Spirit in a fresh way for this time and season. Prayer for churches, ministries, and their leaders will make a huge difference in how the gospel impacts people’s lives.
Here are some specific ideas for praying over local churches and ministries this week:
1) Pray for churches in Lancaster County. Pray specifically for churches and ministries that you are familiar with. Pray that each local congregation would fulfill the assignment God laid out for them. Ephesians 1:15-23 is an excellent foundation for praying for churches!
2) Pray for pastors and leaders of the Lancaster County churches. The great apostle Paul recognized how much he needed the prayers of God’s people.
Ephesians 6:19-20: “And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.”
3) Pray for Pastor Matt and Kelly and the ministry leaders of Worship Center by name.
4) Pray that the churches and ministries of Lancaster County would be known for how they love and serve those in our communities.
5) Pray that each believer would find their place in their local congregation, causing the Body to be healthy and growing and full of love.
Ephesians 4:16: “He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”
6) Pray that the Holy Spirit would empower believers to be witnesses to those around them.
Acts 1:8: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
7) Pray for unity among churches in the Body of Christ.
John 17:21: “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”