PRAYING THE CHURCH TO ITS POTENTIAL:
THAT WE WOULD BE UNITED IN THE LOVE OF GOD
We have dedicated the first Wednesday of each month as a Day of Fasting and Prayer. This year we be have been focusing on praying the church to its full potential. In Jesus high priestly prayer recorded in John 17:9-24, we learn what Jesus wants and what He prayed for, regarding His church. We have previously prayed that people would sense the Glory of God (John 17:22) and that we would go forth in the Mission of God (John 17:17-18).
This month, we are praying that we would be united in the Love of God as stated in John 17:20-21 (NLT), “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 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.”
Jesus prayed for all believers to be unified through love. That’s because spirit-filled Christians, united in love and guided by a purpose they truly believe in, can do anything. They can shake the very gates of hell. But churches are nearly powerless when they aren’t unified. They can’t take care of their own people, and they can’t be an effective witness to people in the community. It is yet to be seen what our world could be like if only we were truly united through the love of God.
We are also watching our world convulse with pain, anger, and hatred.
We have been totally broken and heartsick about the what is unfolding before our eyes regarding the behaviour and obsessive use of force that caused the death of a fellow human being in Minnesota, last week. We extend our deepest condolences to the Floyd family. We stand against all the hatred and prejudice that has gone on far too long. As a pastor of an international church that has representation of people from 42+ nations, we stand against all forms of racism. The Bible is clear that God so loved the world (of all people) that He gave His one and only Son, Jesus Christ to die for as our Saviour (John 3:16). We believe that every human being is created in the image of God and worthy of dignity and respect (Genesis 1:27).
The Word of God is also clear that God has called us as a Body of believers, that seeks to understand, bears one another’s burdens, and weeps with those who weep. So we are inviting you to join us for a Day of Fasting and Prayer this Wednesday, June 3 and our Pastor’s Chat live at 8:00 pm, as we seek to unify us in the love of God and to pray for justice and racial reconciliation around the world.
The reality is that only Jesus can change a heart. We desperately need to pray for a powerful move of God in our nations and world.
Pray for PEACE, because “the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (James 1:20).
Pray for PERSPECTIVE, because “the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17).
Pray for PATIENCE, because of God’s “kindness and forbearance and patience” toward us all (Romans 2:4).
Pray for an OUTPOURING of God’s wisdom and direction.
Pastor Barry Risto
Prayer Points
Scriptures: John 17:9-24; Romans 2:4; 12:21; Ephesians 4:26; James 1:20
Confess any known and unknown sins.
Father, I thank You that I am able to participate in today’s fasting program.
Commit the month of June into the Lord’s hands. Pray that you will end the month well in Jesus’ name.
Psalm 107:1 – Give thanks to Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
John 17:11 - Father, protect me and my household in this world by the power of Your name.
John 17:11 – Lord, protect the church and all believers in this world by power of Your name.
John 17:11 – Lord, use the church at large to unite our world. (pray this seriously)
John 17:15 – Jesus, during these difficult times, keep me and my household from the evil one.
John 17:15 – Jehovah, keep the church from the evil one during these difficult times.
John 17:17 – Sanctify me, our world by Your word because Your word is truth. (pray this seriously)
John 17:21 – Father, use the church as a beacon of hope for unity in our cities, municipalities and our world. (pray this seriously)
Romans 2:4 – God Almighty, help me to be kind, tolerant and patient with people as You have been with me.
Romans 2:4 – Lord use the church to show kindness, tolerance and patience to our chaotic world.
Romans 12:21 – Father, help me and my household to conquer evil with good.
Romans 12:21 – Jesus use the church to conquer evil with good in our world.
Ephesians 4:26 – Father stamp out anger from our society in Jesus’ name.
James 1:20 – Father, through the Holy Spirit impute Your righteousness on our lives in Jesus’ name. (pray this seriously)
Pray for God’s protection against the coronavirus in our land and nations. (pray this seriously)
Unleash Your protection and providence upon the persecuted church globally in Jesus’ name.
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Pastor’s Chat with Pastor Barry at 8:00 pm
ppt.church/live
OR
Dial: 647-977-2648 (Canada) / 202-602-1295 (USA)
Code: 827-220-552#