In many of his letters, the Apostle Paul would write prayers to the churches that he was praying for them. You see this in almost all of his letters. 

What made the Apostle Paul so effectively powerful

was his prayer life. 

It wasn’t just how much he prayed, but how he prayed and who he prayed for. He knew that the power belongs to God for him, for the world, and to move the church. So Paul spent a lot of time praying about the things that God had already promised to do.

Prayer alongside preaching the Word are the primary responsibilities of a pastor (Acts 6:4). So Paul prayed these things and let them know what he was praying for them. I think it is also possible that he let them know exactly what he was praying for them so that they could see God’s hand moving their lives as prayers got answered. 

Here is an example:

Philippians 1:9-11

[9] And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, [10] so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, [11] filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Here’s a prayer I’m praying for all of you today.

Feel free to pray with me. 

Heavenly Father, today, I pray for All Souls Church. May your kindness come to us and be upon us. May we extend your kindness to those with whom we interact. May we be a place in the city where a bit of your glory is revealed. May the people of All Souls Church remain humble, but also tenacious about the kingdom in their lives. May we be a people of prayer and may we be a people who love the Word of God. Lord God, may we be marked with simple devotion to Jesus Christ. 

We pray for the new members that you would seamlessly connect them to the All Souls church body. May we receive these new members and all of the recent visitors with joy and welcome. Give them courage to follow in your footsteps each day and give them active love that spreads throughout this church. Lord God, please guard us from the evil one, from all of his works and effects. May any lies he is planting or spreading be exposed. Give us grace to repent of what is false. 

I also pray for the blessing of the individuals and families at All Souls Church. May you bless them financially, relationally, and spiritually. I pray they would be kept in the faith by your mercy and they would represent you well wherever they go in the city. May they be gracious with themselves and others as you are with us. 

Above all else, we ask that Jesus would be made known from All Souls Church. We know that many in our city have not heard of his forgiveness. Guide our feet to those you are calling. Make use of us to gather the lost and the lonely. 

May we take ourselves less seriously and take your Word more seriously. Give us laughter, give us our daily bread, give us peace.  

Finally, comfort us, Lord. Life is hard and we can become jaded and depressed by all of it. May our eyes be lifted to you. You are not concerned, but calm and in control. May we believe that you work all things for the good of those who are called according to your purpose. You are good and do good. Praise to you Lord!

Please know that you are regularly prayed for. Not just in general as a part of the church, but in particular we are specifically praying for you as an individual. Love y’all!

Grace and peace,

Pastor Harvey