If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV)
God of Love,
You are the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star. You have invited us, the thirsty, to come to You and drink deeply of the free gift of the water of life, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You that You have called each of us to serve in local churches, and that each of our churches is an important part of Your overall Body.
Thank You that Your Word does not change. You are eternally consistent—the same yesterday, today, and forever—yet Your passion and creativity for the world You have created never ends. Thank You for the diversity in Your Church, across denominations, ethnicities, and every description. We believe that anyone who has called on Your Name for salvation, placed their trust in You, is led by the Holy Spirit, and seeks to serve Christ is part of Your Church.
Thank You for the ways Your Church proclaims the Gospel and makes disciples, loves and cares for neighbors, worships in Spirit and in Truth, and serves as Salt and Light to a world that desperately needs the influence of a good and loving God. Thank You that throughout history, whenever Your chosen and deeply loved people have strayed, You have reformed, revived, and restored Your Church. Help us to hold fast to the teachings passed down from previous generations, strengthening one another and remaining true to the faith.
We pray for the overseers of the Church to be faithful shepherds, guarding against untruths and proclaiming the Word of God’s grace to build up the Church. In the name of Jesus, we pray against any spirit of division that would come against the Church, and we ask that You would prune Your Church for greater fruitfulness. Where she has strayed from Your Word and Your ways, or been captured by the influences of this world, bring leadership to repentance and cleanse the Body from apostasy, false prophecy, and defilement.
Pour out Your Spirit on men and women, young and old, so that we dream Your dreams, see Your visions, and perform signs and wonders in this day and age. Reform, revive, refresh, and restore Your Church for Kingdom impact in our world. You are exalted above every ruler, authority, government, and realm of power! You are gloriously enthroned above every name ever praised, not only in this age but in the age to come. You alone are the leader and source of all that the Church needs. You have placed everything under the authority of Jesus Christ, giving Him the highest rank above all others.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, strengthen Your Church, Your Body on earth. Root us and establish us in love, filling us to the full measure of Your glory. In the strong name of Christ we pray. AMEN.
I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star. The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. (Revelation 22:16–17 NIV)
God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (Ephesians 1:22–23 NIV)
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another… and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. (1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV)
Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. (1 Corinthians 14:26 NIV)
I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. (Joel 2:28 NIV)
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being… and I pray that you… may have power… to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:16–19 NIV)
h/t MM book