Prayers of the People

I had the great honor to pray on behalf of my church last night. I was so nervous to pray in front of all those people but I felt very special to have the opportunity.

Here's the prayer I wrote.

Pray with me….

Dear Heavenly Father, you are our King of kings and Lord of Lords. You are high and lifted up and worthy to be praised. You are the author and perfecter of our faith. All things were created by you, for you and all things hold together in you. We praise that you are our strong tower and that you never tire. You remain the same loving, just and merciful God through all generations. You know our thoughts before they are on our tongues. You know the number of hairs on our heads and you set the stars into place.

We come now in confidence to the thrown of grace, needing your mercy and asking for your presence to fill this place and for your spirit to fill us. Lord, we ask that salvation would spring up from the ground in places like Morocco, North Korea, the Sudan, Iran & Iraq. We pray on behalf of Christians and church planters who are serving you and putting their lives on the line every day for the sake of the Gospel. Please be close to them, Father. Allow their service to you to be a pleasing offering. Give them honor and favor in their cities and with the governments so that the Gospel would be the aroma of Christ to their neighbors.

We thank you for the United States and for the freedom that we live under and so easily take for granted. God, we know that your Word says, “The authorities that exist have been established by God.” During this election season, God, we pray for wisdom. We trust in your sovereignty and look to you as our ultimate King. Give wisdom and discernment to our president and to our federal & state government officials. God, please protect our rights to worship you freely.

We are so privileged to live and serve you in the amazing city. God, help us to be brave ambassadors of reconciliation. Please provide homes to the 16,000 homeless children living in New York City. Show us how to specifically use our time, talents and resources for the renewal of New York.

Oh God, make Redeemer a community where people are known and cared for, who fight for social justice and give generously.  Help us to invite our neighbors, care for the hurting & the lonely, equip the Christian and love our city as Christ has loved us. We come before you on behalf of the children and youth of Redeemer. Lord, please walk closely with them and sustain them under the incredible pressures from their peers. Protect them from leaving the God that they love.

We pray for the Downtown congregation as they begin their services today. We pray that many new people will hear about your saving grace and transforming power. Establish this congregation in the Union Square area as a haven for those who are seeking you and needing community. Allow their doors and hearts to be opened wide to new comers. We send them out from us with love, excitement and prayer. Lord, may this day of launching healthy congregations happen again and again in the future of Redeemer.

Lord, makes us humble, tender and like your son, Jesus. May your Kingdom come and your will be done on earth, at Redeemer & in New York as in it is in heaven.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.