Prayer regarding the body of Christ
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your heart for your
creation, your people and your body.
Thank you that we are created in your image and that you
designed the church to reflect your truth, to grow others and point to your love.
You desire the body to work in unity just as the Father, son and Holy Spirit.
Lord, you say in your word you desire that we be brought
into complete unity to let the world know that you sent Jesus and love them
even as you love Him.
Dear Jesus, you are the head of the church, we pray in your
name that we as your body would in greater measure come under your headship and
move forth in obedience, walking and moving in a way that will bring you Glory.
Jesus continue to stir and awaken your church to true religion, not to a dead
set of rules but to the truth of our purpose, identity and relationship to you.
May your bride continue to surrender herself to your
ministrations so that she will be a bride readied for her groom, Cleansed and
purified to walk fully in the righteousness that was paid for by your blood
shed.
Lord we ask that you continue to pour out your spirit so we
may increase in our faith and give greater testimony to your goodness.
You are our saving Grace, we ask Lord, open our eyes and
hearts to our brothers and sister in Christ to be encourager's of one another,
lifting each other up in faith and in our prayers. Help us to move out of our
places of complacency and comfort to move beyond our myopic view of life, to see
with greater kingdom optics, embracing our differences and uniting because of
your love for your family.
Forgive us Lord for the places that we as your body have
defamed your name, acting in a way that did not display your love. Forgive us
where we have judged the world and not displayed your glory, forgive us where
we took hold of religion and held others under the heavy yoke and burden of
man made rules instead of allowing your spirit to convict and your word to shed
light.
Let your churches not be buildings but by your spirit be a
moving breathing body that moves in grace in this world, bringing forth your
light, life and hope. Let us honor each other embracing those who are feet, hands,
eyes and even the less noble parts, all so vital to a body that moves in
fluidity and strength and purpose.
Lord, let us then, in unity continue to go forth in power
and authority, claiming those who belong to you, releasing the captives,
setting the prisoners free, so that every knee will bow and tongue confess you as
Lord.