As I consider the new Autumn term ahead, there are two Bible verses that I hold in view. The first is Ephesians 3:20, which reminds me that God is able to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” The second in Psalms 127:1, which says, “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”

I firmly believe that God can do great things in, and through, our congregation. But if we want to be a church that is blessed by God, then we need to be a church that is praying to God. It is essential that we are individually, and corporately, bringing the needs of each other and our community to God in prayer, asking him to build his church, and grow his kingdom according to his promises.

So before we do anything else as a church this Autumn term, I want us to pray for the church year ahead, and I invite you to join us. Below are 18 ways to pray for St. Andrew’s Church this year, and a PDF version is available here.

Our God is a big God, so lets pray big prayers!

1. Preaching
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12

Pray that…

• God’s word would work powerfully in our congregation
• We would listen to what the Bible says and put it into practise
• Andrew & others who will be preaching over the next year will rightly handle the word of truth

2. Welcome
“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” – Romans 15:7

Pray that…

• Everyone who walks through these doors will feel that they have come home
• We would be a welcoming and loving congregation to all
• God would be bringing new people to our church this year

3. Share
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” – Matthew 25:35-37

Pray that…

• Those who receive the food donations, that God will show them his compassion and lift them out of their difficulties
• We would be a generous congregation with a sincere love for those in need
• God would give us new opportunities to serve the practical needs of our community

4.Building
“Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.” – Psalm 48:9

Give Thanks…

• For the buildings and resources God has given to us
• For all those who look after the maintenance of the building

Pray that…

• We would be good stewards of all that God has given us
• God would continue to provide for the practical needs of our church

5. Neighbours
“let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

Pray that…

• Our church would be a blessing to those who live beside us
• God will give us opportunities to be loving towards our own neighbours
• The Holy Spirit will help us to be ‘Salt and Light’ to those around us

6. Youth & Children
“He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments” Psalm 78:5-7

Pray for…

• Our children and young people, that they would grow into their own personal faith
• The teachers and helpers of our Creche and Junior Church
• The schools in our area that God would help to build and strengthen our relationships with them

7. Alpha
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” – Matthew 28:19-20

Pray that…

• God will bring people who are questioning faith, to our next Alpha Course
• We will be a congregation that invites our non-believing friends/family/co-workers to Church and Alpha
• People would volunteer to be on the team to help with running Alpha

8. Livestream
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” – Mark 16:15

Pray that

• Those who watch our service online will be blessed and encouraged
• God would help us to build our online presence
• People would volunteer to help with, and grow our use of technology

9. Worship
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” – Colossians 3:16

Give Thanks…

• For our Organist, who plays for us each Sunday

Pray that…

• Our worship would be genuine, and our praise pleasing to God
• That we would know God’s presence with us as we worship him together each Sunday

10. Giving
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7-8

Pray that…

• God would graciously provide for all our financial needs
• We would be a congregation of cheerful givers
• The Holy Spirit would help us to be generous with our money, time, and talents.

11. Baptism
Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” – Acts 2:38-39

Pray that…

• We would see many baptisms this year, both of covenant children, and of adults coming to faith
• God would help parents to keep their baptism vows
• God’s Spirit would be bringing new life to all who are baptised in our church

12. Serving
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” – 1 Peter 4:10-11

Give Thanks…

• For all who serve in a variety of ways in our church

Pray that…

• God would help each member of our church to know their gifts, and that he would give them opportunities to use them
• Our church would be built up, and God glorified as we serve him and each other

13. The Lord’s Supper
“do this in remembrance of me.” – 1 Corinthians 11:23

Pray that…

• Jesus death and resurrection will be at the centre of all we do as a church
• God would be feeding our faith through the sacraments
• We would have unity with each other
• More people would become full communicant members

14. Leadership
“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” – Hebrews 13:7

Pray that…

• God would give wisdom, unity, and love to the Elders as they shepherd our congregation
• The Holy Spirit would be guiding the Kirk Session as they seek his will for our church
• God would bless the work of the congregational committee

15. Groups
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:24-25

Pray that…

• God would be growing our love for each other so that our church would be like a family
• Connect Group and PW would be places where we would grow in our faith, and in our relationships with each other

16. Funerals
And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labours, for their deeds follow them!” – Revelation 14:13

Give Thanks…

• For all the faithful servants who belonged to this church in the past

Pray that…

• All those who grieve will be comforted
• The funerals that will take pace in the coming year give will give opportunities to minster to families, and to share the hope of eternal life

17. The Hall
First of all, I ask that you pray for all people. Ask God to bless them and give them what they need. And give thanks. – 1 Timothy 2:1

Give Thanks…

• For all the ways the church hall is used during the week, for the income it provides, and the joy it helps to bring to those in our community

Pray that…

• God would bless everyone who comes into our building
• God would give us opportunities to share his love with them

18. Prayer
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” – Ephesians 6:18

Pray that…

• We would be a church that prioritises praying together
• God will use our prayers to build his church for his glory
• God will hear all the prayers we will offer to him tonight, and that he will answer them according to his will