You do want me to pray for you, don’t you?
Even if you don’t … I am convinced that God wants me to. So much so that I would be sinning against Him if I failed to do so (1 Samuel 12:23; Acts 6:4; Romans 1:9).
I am in the habit of taking my preaching text from last Sunday and turning it into prayer for the people of RBC during the week.
Here is what I have been praying this week:
My preaching text last Sunday was 1 John 1:1-2:1
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life– 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us– 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. 5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
Prayer of praise and thanksgiving for the gospel. What a wonder, which we will never get over, that God has true fellowship with us through Jesus Christ.
that which we have seen and heard we declare to you
God, give me authentic experience of the truth of the gospel and then power in declaring that to others. God, please do the same for every member of RBC. Let them declare the truth about Jesus naturally and normally and frequently because they dwell in it so genuinely and consistently.
that your joy may be full
God deliver us from illusions of happiness. God wean us from worldly desires. God give your people joy, true joy. Let them find it in fellowship with you and others who know you. Let them find it in the honest confession of sin.
God is light and in Him is no darkness at all
Prayer of worship for the holy, spotless character of God.
if we walk in the light as He is in the light
God, cause your people to walk in the light. Left to themselves (without your Spirit) they will always choose darkness. Fill them with the Spirit of your Son that they might walk in the light.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves
God, deliver your people from the self-deception of refusing to be real about their sinfulness. Make us honest. Grant us humility.
He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
Prayers of worship for the overwhelming gift of forgiveness in the gospel. More prayers of awe-filled praise that God is faithful and righteous at the same time as He is merciful and forgiving.