1. Wisdom — Lord, there are so many divisive issues in our time. We pray for the leaders in our churches and ministries, that they would look to you alone to guide and direct their paths. Give them the wisdom of heaven, which is pure, peace-loving, considerate, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. Leadership is often a heavy burden, and we pray that just as Jethro counseled Moses to get support leading the Israelites, lead our leaders to trustworthy and wise people for support and advice. (James 3:17, Exodus 18:17-22).
2. Unity within the body/ organization Father, we pray that each church body and every ministry would walk in a manner worthy of the calling they have received; to humbly, gently, patiently bear with each other in love, eager to maintain the unity of your Spirit with the bond of peace. We pray that there would be no divisions caused by this pandemic, by justice issues or political differences; rather, we pray that our churches and ministries be united in single-minded pursuit of you, your word, and your truth. (Ephesians 4:1-6, 1 Corinthians 1:10)
3. Broader leadership — Father, that your church — while for the most part she cannot meet in person — would rise up during this crisis as a mighty leader. That you would make her a blessed lamp unto the darkness that surrounds us on all sides. That she would not shrink back with the confusion and pressures and limits of the day, but offer herself forth as a well to the weary, as food to the hungry, as life to the dying. Increase her numbers tenfold, Father. Open the door of faith to those who otherwise have not known you. (Acts 14:27).
4. Glorifying Christ — Father, that in all ways your church would be a reflection of you and your character. That she would be sacrificial, steadfast, loving, quick to forgive, slow to anger, of one mind and body, and a light to the world.
5. Provision — Father, in times of economic turmoil, may you richly provide the church and its ministries with everything it needs to carry forth your word. Protect salaries, Father. Make your people unfailingly generous in their gifts.
6. Community — Father, in a time of social distancing, we are thankful that whenever two or three are gathered together, you are there in their midst! Please, Father, don’t let us forsake gathering together however we can; this is where we encourage each other. Show us how we can care for one another during this time, because if one of us suffers, we all suffer. (Matthew 18:20, Hebrews 10:25, 1 Corinthians 12:25-27).
7. Serve — Father that you would turn the church’s eyes to the community in her midst: the poor, the marginalized, and the suffering. Even as the church struggles with its own provisions, that we would continue to turn our eyes toward the most weak and fragile among us, to give as you have given through Christ.
8. Focus on the mission — God, as we are distracted by politics, and pressure from various members of our church, help us to keep the main thing the main thing. That we would continue to unabashedly share your gospel to a world so very thirsty for Good News. That we would nourish your people with the news that because Jesus took our place on the cross, this death we’re so afraid of has no sting; that this broken world is not the end but instead a trying preamble to a wondrous eternity.
9. Remember — Lord, that your church would remember who you are and what you have done for us on the cross. Give us eyes to see the Ebenezers in the lives of our churches and ministries, those times when we were dazzled by your goodness and faithfulness to us. Let your word dwell in us richly, so that we can encourage one another. May we remember together what you have done for us as a body, what you have done for us as individuals, and what you have secured for us in heaven.
10. Joy — Lord, your joy is our strength. Open our eyes to how very much we have to be joyful about. You are for us; nothing can be against us! Your one and only perfect and precious son gave his life in order to reconcile us to you. Because of Jesus, we are adopted into your family forever, and nothing can snatch us out of your hand. Because of Jesus, we can lay down our deadly doing and rest in the perfect record and finished work of Christ on our behalf. Because of Jesus, we know that you are changing us from glory to glory, into the perfect image of Christ, into the image-bearers you planned for us to be before the foundation of the world. Even when we cannot see it, you are making all things new. All things! “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Cor 2:9) Come quickly, Lord Jesus!