Each year my church designates a month of prayer and fasting for our congregation. The month of July works best for us because many of the normal activities are scaled back, which gives freedom to host various prayer events such as a family prayer night, a bus prayer drive in the community, and a healing prayer time.
We also try to unite our people around a prayer theme. This year we added a 31-day prayer plan called “Targeted Prayers for Your Church,” written by Sandra Higley.
Biblical Prayers
Here are some sample prayers from the 31 days, including a written prayer by Higley and Scriptures to support it:
Elders: “Lord, I lift up my elders (church board) to You. Help us respect and honor them as they direct the affairs of our church. May they wholeheartedly give their attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word. Keep them above reproach, devoted to their families, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, and able to teach. May they be gentle and honest as they deal with people” (1 Tim. 5:17; Acts 6:4; 1 Tim. 3:1–2; Titus 1:7).
Children/Youth: “Lord, I lift up the children and youth in my congregation to You. May the little ones remain humble examples of what we adults need to become in the Kingdom. Let their conduct always be pure and right with reputations that show they remember You, Creator God. Teach them to declare Your marvelous deeds. May they flee evil desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace” (Matt. 18:3–4; Prov. 20:11; Eccl. 12:1; Ps. 71:17; 2 Tim. 2:22).
Speakers/Teachers: “Lord, I lift up the speakers and teachers in our church. May everyone who holds that position—pastors, Sunday school teachers, small group leaders, guest speakers—rightly divide Your Word of truth. Let them admonish and teach with wisdom. Reveal the mysteries of Your Word to them and encourage them to speak those mysteries courageously and fearlessly. Let them speak with a spirit of faith that springs from their relationship with You” (2 Tim. 2:15; Col. 1:28; Dan. 2:47; Phil. 1:14; 2 Cor. 4:13).
Behind-the-Scenes Workers: “Lord, I lift up the people who work behind the scenes at our church. Thank You for every nursery worker, parking lot attendant, office volunteer, building janitor, etc. who have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. Bless them for the obedience and generosity they have displayed—may You receive praise as a result! Keep them in an attitude of humility that comes from wisdom and wholehearted service to You rather than to be noticed by others” (1 Cor. 16:15; 2 Cor. 9:12–13; James 3:13; Eph. 6:7).
Spiritual Level: “Lord, I lift up the spiritual temperature of my church. Revive us! Refine us so that we burn hot for You. Give us singleness of heart and action so that we always fear You and follow Your precepts. Pour out a spirit of Josiah on us so that we turn to You with our heart, soul, and strength. Open our minds to understand Your Word so that our hearts burn within us” (Ps. 85:6; Rev. 3:14–18; Jer. 32:39; Ps. 111:10; 2 Kings 23:25; Luke 24:32, 45).
Finances: “Lord, I lift up our church finances. May we sow generously into our church without reluctance or compulsion. Make all grace abound so we have all we need for every good work You’ve assigned us. Make us rich in ways that result in generosity on our part so that You will be praised. Keep reminding us of Your promise to throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out blessing on all who bring the whole tithe into Your house” (2 Cor. 9:6–11; Mal. 3:10).
Our Neighborhood: “Lord, I lift up our community, especially the surrounding neighborhood. Let us love people as we love ourselves. May our concern for their needs override other things that take our time and focus. Rebuild and restore areas that have been devastated. Renew our community—send Your peace and prosperity into this place where You’ve planted us. Bless each individual home and family. Build each house from the inside out; watch over our city” (Gal. 5:14; Prov. 3:28; Isa. 61:4; Jer. 29:7; Luke 10:5–6; Ps. 127:1).
Other prayers include single parents, worship leaders, men/women, the hurting, and an evangelism/outreach emphasis.
All Year Round
Encourage your congregation to insert names into the prayers as people come to mind. This is a great way to personalize the prayers and help your congregation engage more with leadership and the ministries of the church. These prayers can be prayed throughout the year.
“Targeted Prayers for Your Church” is available through PrayerShop Publishing.
CAROL MADISON directs the prayer ministries at Hillside Church of Bloomington, MN. She is also editor of Prayer Connect magazine.
If you would like to purchase the complete prayer guide Targeted Prayer for Your Church (comes in packs of 50), click the Buy Button below.
