WEEK OF PRAYER
God calls us to a conversation — to hear His voice and to talk to Him
through prayer. Personal experience underlines the truth of scripture:
Prayer is effective! As a church community, we’re committed to being
a people of prayer, so we’re beginning the new ministry year united
in a week of prayer. Let the prayers below serve as a starting place as
you spend a few minutes with the Lord each day. Through prayer, we’ll
proclaim His praise, make our requests known and listen for His guidance.
DAY 1: GRATITUDE
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. Woodmen began in 1979 with just a few dozen steadfast Christ-followers in a
renovated chinchilla hut. Through the years, God has grown this congregation into
five campuses and thousands of people living on mission. Praise our good God
today for who He is and thank Him for the grace He has poured out on His church
Day 2: GATHER
God of all Glory, ignite in us a passion to come together in worship.
Set our hearts ablaze with a passion for the gathering of God’s people. Unite our
hearts around the birth, life, death and resurrection of Christ. Inhabit our praise as
we lift our voices to declare Your worthy name. Open our minds to the treasures of
the Scriptures as we center our souls on your Word. Remind us each week that the
Church is not a building, but the gathering of God’s redeemed people.
Day 3: CONNECT
Lord, our Redeemer, unite Your people.
In a culture rife with division, form the people of Woodmen into one family. Center
our hearts on Christ as our cornerstone. From that foundation, build deep, caring
relationships among Your people. Help us to seek out those who are far from God,
and to welcome them into Your love. Give us the opportunity and empathy to
foster more relationships and spiritual conversations with people who need Jesus.
Day 4: GROW
Holy Spirit, set our hearts ablaze.
Give us a hunger for more of You in the year ahead. Lord, as Your disciples, form
us into Your likeness. Let us faithfully build into our lives the rhythms and practices
that keep us in step with You. Would you deepen our faith and our understanding
of Your Word and Your ways? Raise up leaders to equip others, as more adults,
students and kids learn and grow in caring community.
Day 5: CONTRIBUTE
Merciful God, mobilize us for mission.
Instill in us a love for our neighbors — for those around the block and those around
the world. Empower us to live and love in ways that invite many into the hope
found in Christ. Embolden us to live lives of compassion and service, and to partner
in Your ministry of bringing peace, wholeness and justice to those who are suffering
and vulnerable. Give us faithful hearts as we continue to give generously to the
ABLE initiative. Let us steward these funds with wisdom, as we lay a firm financial
foundation for increased ministry impact to see future generations flourish.
Day 6: LOVE WELL / CHANGE LIVES / THROUGH CHRIST
King Jesus, turn our vision into action.
As we launch a new ministry year, would you grant us renewed energy and passion
to join in Your life-changing kingdom work? As we participate in this God-given
vision, may the power of Christ be revealed in our weakness, and may the name
of Christ be always on our lips. Give us ears to listen for Your voice as we pursue
You. Let the horizons of our hearts be broadened that we might better live into
Your love in the year ahead.