And So, We Pray

Weeks in advance, we meet together - the worship department, pastoral team, communications department, the whole crew - to consider the most effective and accessible way to magnify Jesus for His profound sacrifice and victory and to lead others to do the same. But all of our planning amounts to nothing if the Lord does not establish the work of our hands (Psalm 90:17). 

And so, we pray. 

Just like Paul encouraged the church of Colossae to pray, we implore you, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ” (Colossians 4:2-3a).

We’ve created a tool for you and those in your Growth Group to help us be intentional with our prayers leading up to Holy Week. This Prayer-Care-Share resource encourages each of us to be steadfast in prayer and thoughtful in our interactions with those whom we are praying for. 

First, seek the Lord in choosing three people (family members coworkers, neighbors, friends) to commit to praying for and serving in the weeks leading up to Easter. As names come to mind, write them down. 

Week One focuses on praying for these people fervently and expectantly. Pray for salvation. Pray for a need to be met. Pray for the Lord to prepare their hearts in those weeks leading up to Easter. Pray through scripture. For those praying for salvation, passages like Acts 26:18 and Romans 6:17-18 are fitting to pray. For those praying for spiritual growth, passages like 1 Corinthians 1:5-9, Ephesians 4:15-16, and Philippians 1:9-11 are fitting to pray. 

Week Two focuses on intentional care toward these same people. Brainstorm with your Growth Group ways to show the love of Jesus to those you’ve been praying for. Take someone out to coffee. Offer to babysit their kids. Send an encouraging text. But, continue to pray.

Week Three focuses on sharing the love of Jesus with these people, through sparking a spiritual conversation, sharing your testimony, and inviting them to join you at an Easter service. By not rushing into that spiritual conversation on week one, we’ve made room for the Lord to prepare not only their hearts to receive, but our hearts to stay humble in our approach. And continue to pray. 

As we approach Holy Week this year, may we as leaders be steadfast in our prayers, watchful for the Lord’s moving, and thankful for all we see Him doing in and through us. Let’s encourage those we lead to join us in intentionally caring and serving those around us.