Paul, the missionary, pled with the churches:  “Join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.” (Romans 15:30)   And again, “Brethren, pray for us.”  1 Thessalonians 5:25

Will you be faithful to pray?

For their relationship with God

·         a deep heart of love for God:  Psalm 73:25-26  Whom have I in heaven but You?  And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.  My flesh and my heart fail;  but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

·         that they will know God’s tender love for them:  Isaiah 40:11  He tends his flock like a shepherd:   He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

·         that they will be a people of the Word:  Psalm 119:47-48   I delight in your commands  because I love them.  I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees.

·         for diligence to daily time in the Word and prayer:  Psalm 63:1  O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is. 

·         for set-apart times of renewal and refreshment:  Song of Solomon 2:13 Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

·         a Sabbath day’s rest each week:  Hebrews 4:9-10  There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.

·         for hearts of worship:  Psalm 84:10  Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

·         to know God in His fullness:  Philippians 3:10 [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly].  (Amplified version)

·         for hearts of intercession:  Colossians 4:12  Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.

·         for hearts of trust in the Lord:  Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.   Job 13:15a  Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. 

·         for hearts of obedience:  Micah 6:8  He has shown you, O man, what is good;  And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

·         being willing to pay the cost of discipleship:  Matthew 16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

·         clear conscience/sins confessed up-to-date continually:  Acts 24:16  So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.  Proverbs 28:13  He who covers his sins will not prosper,  but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

·         for victory over the enemy in all things:  Colossians 2:15  And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

For their families and home life  

·         for daily times together to worship and magnify the Lord:  Psalm 34:3  O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

·         a God-honoring home, obedient to the Word:  Matthew 7:24-25 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:  and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” 

·         hearts of integrity, obedient to truth:  3 John 4  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

·         for hearts of love for one another:  1 Corinthians 13: If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

·         open communication within the family:  Proverbs 24:26   An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.  Psalm 133:1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!

·         all living in holiness and purity:  1 Peter 1:15  But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.  2 Timothy 2:22  Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

·         a spirit of gentleness and forgiveness for one another:  Ephesians 4:2  Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.   (Living translation)

·         for love of/submission to spouse:  Ephesians 5:22, 25  Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. … Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.

·         for Godly training of their children:  Ephesians 6:4  And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

·         that the children will obey and honor their parents:  Ephesians 6:1-2  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise.

·         a home built on wisdom:  Proverbs 24:3-4   By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established;  through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.

·         for a welcoming, hospitable home:  Romans 15:7 Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.

·         for the home to be a place of ministry:  Acts 2:46-47  They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.

·         for a peaceful home:  Romans 12:18  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

·         for a joyful home:  Proverbs 17:22  A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

·         for the home to be a place of refuge:  Psalm 61:4  I long to dwell in your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.

·         for the home to be a quiet place to rest:  Mark 6:31  [Jesus] said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

For their ministries

·         for God’s glory:  John 17:4  I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.

·         for open doors to minister:  Colossians 4:3   And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ.

·         for ability to proclaim the message clearly:  Colossians 4:4   Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

·         for boldness to speak:  Ephesians 6:19   Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.

·         for open hearts of the hearers:  Psalm 119:18   Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

·         that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly:  2 Thessalonians 3:1  Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you.

·         for many to accept Christ and to grow in the faith:   Joel 3:13-14    Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. … Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!   For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.

·         for hearts aflame with the love of Christ:  Romans 5:5   The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.  2 Corinthians 5:14a   For the love of Christ compels us.

·         for hearts aflame with compassion for the lost:  Matthew 25:40   And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

·         for ministry to the poor/proclaiming good news:  Isaiah 61:1-2 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

·         their lives to be a witness:  2 Corinthians 2:14-15   But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

·         for God’s guidance in setting right priorities in ministry:   Isaiah 30:21  Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,  “ This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.

·         for grace and strength for ministry:  1 Corinthians 15:10   But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

·         for deliverance from wicked and evil men:  2 Thessalonians 3:2  And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.

·         for God to defend His Name in them:  1 Samuel 2:30  Those who honor me I will honor.  Psalm 109:27  Let them know that it is your hand, that you, O LORD, have done it.

·         for times of refreshment with other believers:  Acts 28:15  The brothers there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged.

·         for God to do a work which only He could do:  Habakkuk 1:5  "Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed.   For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.”

For their personal lives

·         for hearts of humility:  Isaiah 66:2  "This is the one I esteem:  he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.”  

·         for pure, holy lives and guarded hearts:  Proverbs 4:23, 25  Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. … Let your eyes look straight ahead,  fix your gaze directly before you.

·         for captive thoughts / minds stayed on God and His Word:  2 Corinthians 10:5  And we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.  Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

·         for teachable hearts:  Ecclesiastes 7:5  It is better to heed a wise man's rebuke than to listen to the song of fools.  Proverbs 17:10  A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool.

·         for wise counsel:  Proverbs 11:14  For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.  Proverbs 20:18  Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance.

·         for wisdom in all decisions:  1 Kings 3:9   “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"

·         for discernment in speaking:  Proverbs 15:28  The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,  but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.   Proverbs 16:21  The wise in heart are called discerning,  and pleasant words promote instruction.

·         for victory over temptation:  1 Corinthians 10:13   No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

·         for protection from the ways of the enemy:  Proverbs 18:10  The name of the Lord is a strong tower;  The righteous run to it and are safe.

·         for God’s grace during hardships:  2 Corinthians 1:8-11  But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

·         for perseverance in times of difficulties: James 1:12   Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

·         for financial provision:  Philippians 4:19   But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

·         for giving hearts:  Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

·         for physical and emotional strength and health:  3 John 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.  Colossians 1:17  In him all things hold together.

·         for the encouragement of good friends:  1 Samuel 18:1, 3  After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.  … And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

“You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest, and give Him no rest until He establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth.”            Isaiah 62:6-7