Introduction
This devotional is meant to be a guide to help us, as a church, pray in unison about specific topics regarding the future of LifePoint. Each devotion is broken down into small prayers and scriptures, which are easy and quick to go through, but don’t let that fool you. When your faith is added, these prayers can move mountains.
While working your way through this devotional, I encourage you to fast at least one day per week. Dedicate the time you would have spent eating to prayer and meditation. I believe God will honor will honor this kind of commitment and as we all move in the same direction, in one accord, the Lord will propel us, individually and as a church, into our destiny.
Now we can read about prayer, talk about prayer, think about prayer, but the bottom line is this: God wants us to PRAY.
“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.”
Matthew 18:19
Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
Mark 1:35
I am convinced that we are about to embark on a journey that will change our lives, our families, our church and our cities and parishes forever! Jesus wants us to be FREE INDEED so we can more effectively help others become FREE INDEED. It’s still all about Jesus+People+Mission and I’m glad to be on this journey with YOU!
Pastor Donavon
Prayer
The quality of our life, relationships, and our accomplishments will be largely influenced and determined by our personal relationship with God.
Thetus Tenney
Prayer lays a hold of God’s plan and becomes the link between His will and its accomplishment on earth. Amazing things happen, and we are given the privilege of being the channels of the Holy Spirit’s prayer.
Elisabeth Elliot
Groanings which cannot be uttered are often prayers which cannot be refused.
C. H. Spurgeon
Nothing tends more to cement the hearts of Christians than praying together, Never do they love one another so well as when they witness the outpouring of each others hearts in prayer.
Charles Finney
Fasting
Fasting transforms prayer into a richer experience; it brings personal revival which will spill over into our family, church AND community.
Thetus Tenney
The great revival in Ethiopia began when 5 women who gave of themselves to days and weeks of fasting and prayer. Hundreds of thousands have now been filled with the Holy Ghost. What hinders us? If 5 women can turn the tide of a nation what can we do in our community?
Teri Spears and Thetus Tenney
Focus: Prayer for Leaders of the Church
Pastor and His Family
Pray for protection over him and his family. Bless the work of their hands, delivering them from the schemes of the enemy.
Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
-Job 1:10
Pray that God will provide for his needs and his families needs. Pray they continue to be generous and good stewards.
Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine
-Proverbs 3:9-10
Pray they remain bold in declaring spiritual truth, even when it is unpopular to do so.
Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
-1 Corinthians 16:13
Pray they all have good health and help them to care for their physical bodies. Pray that their hope be found in the Lord. Pray encouragers into their lives to build them up and support them.
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
-3 John 1:2
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
-1 Thessalonians 5:1
Pray they listen to God’s voice as He directs their path. Pray God grants them godly wisdom and understanding.
Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,”
Whenever you turn to the right hand ir whenever you turn to the left.
-Isaiah 30:21
Pray they seek God’s kingdom above all else and He guides them in setting priorities and managing their time.
So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
-Psalm 90:12
Pray for a peace, joy, hope and a deep trust in God. Pray they are not anxious, but instead thankful and prayerful in all things.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
-Philippians 4:6
Pray for the time and focus to prepare his message, and God gives him the ideas and words to present it.
Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
-Colossians 4:5
LifePoint Staff and Board Members –
Pray for a powerful anointing of the Holy Spirit upon the Pastor, his staff and Board Members.
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
-Ephesians 4:11-13
Pray the lives of the LPC Staff and the Board will be marked by integrity and godliness.
The works of His hands are verity and justice; all His precepts are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
-Psalm 111:7-8
Pray that God will grant the Staff and Board Members strong health, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
-Matthew 11:28-30
LifePoint Core Team –
Pray for LifePoint Core Team that they will have wisdom discernment and live by the Fruit of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
-Galatians 5:22-23
Pray God will grant the Core Team strong health, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
-Matthew 11:28-30
Pray the Core Team be blessed with guidance and anointing of the Holy Spirit in times of personal struggle.
Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before my face.
-Psalm 5:8
He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
-Psalm 23:3
Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day.
-Psalm 25:4-5
YoungLife Team and WildLife Kids Team –
Pray that the teachers will commit themselves to being faithful and consistent in their service, recognizing the ministry they do as an important responsibility that will have an impact on eternity.
For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.
-Genesis 18:19
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
-Proverbs 22:6
Pray that God will protect all who serve in the church as they participate in activities, events and other forms of church ministry.
Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
-Psalm 91:9-10
Worship Team and Production Team
Pray for the Worship Team, Band and the Production Team, that they will be led by God, using their talents and abilities for the Lord, and not to bring individual glory or honor to man.
Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you.
Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.
Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil.
-Proverbs 4:25-27
For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,
-Philippians 3:3
Pray that God will anoint musicians and singers during the times of worship. Allow them to be spirit led at all times. Help them to be a light and encouragement to others.
And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise the Lord for His mercy endures forever!” Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.
-2 Chronicles 20:21-22
Five Star, Events and All Other Teams
Pray that God will anoint these team members to be a light and encouragement to others. To extend a welcoming, helping hand of hope and compassion.
Pray that these team members would have wisdom in making a first impression, showing the love of Christ and removing any “obstacles” that could get in the way of a guest finding their way to Jesus.
42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
-Matthew 25:42 – 46 (NIV)
33 “ ‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. 34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.
-Leviticus 19:33 – 34
Focus: Personal Growth and Wisdom
Pray for God to create in you a new heart and that you will be a blessing to others.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
-Psalm 51:10
…but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
-2 Peter 3:18
Pray for wisdom and discernment for yourself that you would not be misled or deceived.
I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge and discretion.
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverse mouth I hate.
-Proverbs 8:12-13
Pray that God will help you to forgive those who have hurt you in the past.
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
-Matthew 5:44
God would give you wisdom in your finances.
For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
-Proverbs 2:6
Pray that God will show you how He has gifted you for service and that you will seek to nurture that gift.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
-Ephesians 2:10
Pray that you will begin to look for opportunities to invite someone to church, be a witness and be Christ –like to others within the community.
Focus: Church Body
Pray that members desire to be less of a spectator and more of a participator. Let our spirits be willing, teachable and available to be used by God.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15
If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
Matthew 5:40
And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.
Mark 6:34
Pray that members throughout the church will grow in relationship with Christ as we follow the path of discipleship.
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 2:42
Pray that God will help us to give more of our time and money.
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.”
Malachi 3:10
And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
Luke 12:15
Pray that members will build relationships with friends and neighbors who need the Lord, and that those relationships will open doors for ministry and evangelism.
Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
Matthew 9:37-38
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
1 Peter 3:15
Pray for renewed dedication of church members to have the heart of God.
…that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24
Pray that the Men of LifePoint will provide godly leadership in their homes, the church and throughout the community.
The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.
Proverbs 20:7
A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
Proverbs 16:9
Pray that the Women of LifePoint serve as leaders, role models of strength, maturity, and ministry at the church, in their families and in the community.
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Proverbs 31:30-31
The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.
Proverbs 14:1
…the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
Titus 2:3-5
Pray that the Youth and Children will stand strong for the Lord in their schools following the leading of the Holy Spirit when reaching out to fellow students with the message of Christ.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Ephesians 6:10-11
Ask God to help each young person follow the plan He has for his or her life, now and in the future.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
Pray for a hedge of protection that nothing will cause hindrances or division among the body of Christ. We rebuke the enemy and their devices. They are not allowed in our lives or in our church. Pray for unity in the body of Christ that everything will be done for the glory of God.
Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1 Corinthians 1:10
Focus: Marriages and Families
Pray that God will strengthen every marriage in the church.
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
1 Peter 4:8
Pray a hedge of protection around each family.
But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:3
Pray that God will restore strained or broken relationships in families.
…with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:2-3
Pray that families walk in unity, not allowing the enemy to destroy what God meant for good.
Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.
Mark 10:9
Focus: Physical and Spiritual Healing
Pray for members who are battling physical illness or emotional struggles, or facing spiritual needs. Ask God to minister to them in miraculous ways.
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
James 5:14-16
Pray for the spiritual healing of everyone who comes inside the church or calls this church his or her home.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
Psalm 51:12
Pray that the church will be a hospital, refuge and a soul winning station.
How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts!
Psalm 84:1
Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they will still be praising You.
Psalm 84:4
Pray that the Holy Spirit will speak to the heart of each individual in each service. May they be open to the message and responsive to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, even as they apply the message of the Word personally.
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
3 John 2
Focus: Finances and Provision for the Church
Pray for blessings on those who give time and money to the church.
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Pray for the physical building and the equipment of the church that it will serve well and last for a long time.
In the very first month of the first year of his reign, Hezekiah reopened the doors of the Temple of the Lord and repaired them. He summoned the priests and Levites to meet him at the courtyard east of the Temple. He said to them, “Listen to me, you Levites! Purify yourselves, and purify the Temple of the Lord, the God of your ancestors. Remove all the defiled things from the sanctuary.”
2 Chronicles 29:1-5 (NLT)
Pray that God will build up the church and expand it as He would see fit.
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
Focus: Expectation
Pray that those who attend services will arrive with a sense of anticipation, seeking God for changed lives and manifestations of spiritual power.
Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation;
My God will hear me.
Micah 7:7
And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
1 Corinthians 2:4
Pray and expect signs wonders and miracles in our services.
And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
Mark 16:17
Pray and expect for our services to be marked with displays of supernatural powers, be it in spiritual gifts, healings, deliverance, restoration, provision and lives that are dramatically changed by Jesus Christ.
…to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:10
Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,
2 Corinthians 9:10-12
Focus: Praise and Blessings
Pray for God’s over all blessing upon LifePoint and allow others in the community to see the glory of God and realize this is a real church with real people who really care about them.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”’
Numbers 6:24-26
Praise God for the visitors to the church that sense the love and compassion of Christ, expressed through every member of the congregation.
Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 1:13
By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1 John 3:16
Praise God for supplying the financial needs of the church by calling believers to give generously and sacrificially through tithes and offerings.
…and they spoke to Moses, saying, “The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which the Lord commanded us to do.”
Exodus 36:5
…for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.
Luke 21:4
Praise God for providing opportunities for LifePoint to express the love of Christ to the community.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
John 13:34
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
James 2:14-17
Thank God for providing opportunities for LifePoint to express the love of Christ to the community.
Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy,
That it cannot hear.
Isaiah 59:1
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Luke 6:38
…that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
Phil 3:10
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
James 1:12
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
1 Peter 2:9
Community Influence
Salt. Why did Jesus use “salt” to describe the church when He said, “You are the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13)? We can learn an important lesson from this symbolism.
A salt shaker, full of salt, sitting on a white linen tablecloth will not enhance the meal until it is shaken from its container. Likewise, the church cannot enhance the world until we are outside the four walls of our church buildings.
For salt to accomplish its purpose, it must come in contact with whatever it is to change or influence. For us as Christians to accomplish our purpose in the world, we must come in contact with those they want to influence.
Your influence in the community is vital! Let’s do our part to see people made FREE INDEED!