Praying for our churches and church leaders

I, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus that exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you the spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. ~ Eph. 1:16-19

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. ~Josh. 1:9

Father, I just want to lift up this new year and the exciting things You're doing in my church. Lord, I pray for continued wisdom, discernment, and direction for the staff at our church. Father, our two pastors, our missions coordinator, our ministries coordinator, our worship and prayer coordinator, and our IT and finance coordinator. Lord, You know their hearts long after You, that they desire to see Your kingdom come. Father, I just pray Your holy covering over this new year and the direction You want our ministries to go in. Lord, I lift up the sermon series and topics -- Lord speak Your word into our pastors' hearts -- that they would have your spirit of wisdom, that they would have the revelation on Your knowledge. Father, I pray that the eyes of their hearts would be enlightened, that they would know -- truly know -- the hope of your calling and know how to communicate that hope to the congregation.

Lord -- I lift up our congregation to you. So many are so young in their faith, and I pray that our church leaders would be as Paul -- patiently and thoroughly explaining the gospel message, teaching and modeling what it means to love and grow in Christ, and equipping the people to grow -- Lord, in this new year you are calling us to discipleship. To equip, to train, to draw people into a deeper, stronger, more dynamic relationship with you -- Lord, I pray for the people, that you would grant them Your spirit of wisdom, the knowledge of You, enlightened hearts, a full knowledge of the hope of Your calling and the riches of Your inheritance. Father -- do a work in the hearts of our body.

Lord, I lift up the budding prayer ministry. Father, I thank you for the work You have already done getting this started, the hearts You have already called, the commitment and the passion of the few who are already involved. Father, I pray Your protection of the prayer teams -- Lord, be our shield and buckler, preserve us from the attacks of the enemy. Lord, grant us wisdom and discernment, that we would know how to pray for those seeking your help. Father, thank you that You are our great intercessor. Holy Spirit, thank you that You intercede for us, that You bring us into all truth. Father, we desire to bring Your healing -- rather, that You would bring Your healing and use us as Your instruments. Father, grant us Your love for those we pray for, grant us Your compassion. May we be moved. Give us an unflagging spirit that we may pray without ceasing. Father, may we be vessels of Your love. Jesus, lead us.

Lord, I pray specifically for our prayer coordinator -- Lord, You know the calling You have placed on her heart. You know the direction You have for her. Lord, she has given You her paths, Father may Your Word be a light to guide her feet. Father, grant her the peace that passes all understanding, that she may confidently move forward. As you spoke to Joshua before the great battles for Israel began, speak Your word to her that she can be strong and courageous, not tremble or be dismayed, for You, the Lord God, are with her. Thank you Jesus.

Father, we glorify your name. We give you all honour, praise, and glory. Thank you Lord for teaching us to pray. For inviting us to pray. For creating us for relationship with You. Thank you Jesus. Amen.