12 Prayers for Cities Church
It’s been said that membership in a local church is the most important thing for your Christian life. In the same way that the government is our highest authority on earth when it comes to our citizenship in America, the local church is our highest authority on earth when it comes to our discipleship in Christ.
As one author puts it, “Once you choose Christ, your must choose his people, too. It’s a package deal. Choose the Father and the Son and you have to choose the whole family—which you do through a local church.”
This is so clear in Scripture that it’s easy to miss. It’s just simply assumed, which is evidenced, for one, in how we understand biblical commands. Mark Dever, in his booklet Why Should I Join a Church?, provides numerous examples of commands in the Bible that “assume a deep and abiding relationship between fellow believers who regularly gather together in a local church.”
As I was recently reading the list I thought: “These would make great prayers for Cities Church!” This is that. Below are 12 prayers for our church that have been adapted from biblical commands to the church.
Would you join me in praying …
That we would pray for one another.
... praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints…(Eph 6:18).
That we would love one another.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34–35)
That we would seek and unity within our congregation.
So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. (Romans 14:19)
That we would avoid all strife.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3)
That we would care for one another physically and spiritually.
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10)
That we would hold one another accountable.
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:1–2)
That we would build up one another.
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
That we would bear with one another.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (Colossians 3:12–13)
That we would bar destroyers from entering our membership.
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. (Romans 16:17)
That we would reject evaluating people by worldly standards.
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. (James 2:1)
That we would contend together for the gospel.
Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 3)
That we would not grumble and thus shine as lights in a dark world.
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world… (Philippians 2:14–15)
