Pray with and for us
“Our gospel came not unto you in word only but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit.” — 1 Thessalonians 1:5
“The Lord is near to all who call upon him sincerely and in truth.” — Psalm 145:18
Praying for our services | Prayer team | Our prayer requests
Pray for one of our services
We believe that God is calling some of us to pray with others before each of our services. The focus is to pray for every aspect of the service — those conducting it, our volunteers, those coming to it, and the neighborhood surrounding it. We pray conversationally — short prayers that build on one another — starting with praise to our God from a Psalm. Your commitment can range from participating when possible (say, once a month) or more regularly. You could even serve with your Community Group for a season as well.
When I started coming to pray with others before my service, I found my own heart was calmed and prepared for worship. But I also soon realized that it gave me a great sense of accomplishment that we were a vital part of the Sunday Services ministry. I got a mental picture of us all in the circle actually lifting up all those involved in the day’s services. It was similar to a blanket catching someone jumping from a burning building — it takes the whole circle of people to support the blanket.
– Carole Kleinknecht
Join an intercessory prayer team
We are looking for people to be part of our prayer teams to pray for a broad range of needs. If you’re considering joining, see the description below. Some who fit the description will be people who are already serving in many capacities. These people need to be prayed for, not be enlisted into yet one more thing. We are looking for the people who may be hidden, who enjoy behind-the-scenes ministry, who want to partner with those on the frontline but don't know how to — or who no one has ever asked. We want to equip and encourage them. Intercessor types know others like them. They will draw in more. We don’t need to orchestrate how they are to pray — the Spirit will do that — we will just let them know who specifically to pray for and the vision God has given Redeemer. We will pair intercessors with the pastoral staff, ministry departments, church planters, special needs … not for a relationship (or contact even) but for committed, intentional daily prayer for those on the firing line.
Someone called to a ministry of intercession may
- Find enjoyment in prayer.
- Be content to be in behind-the-scenes ministry.
- Have a desire to grow in prayer and to learn more about prayer.
- Expect that God will hear his or her prayer and answer according to his wisdom.
- See answers to prayer daily, or at least regularly.
- Receive regular insight and scripture that informs his or her praying.
- Tenaciously keep personal confidences.
- Place pastors and/or ministries as a high priority in their total prayer life.
- Be sought after by others for prayer or have received a gifting in prayer.
- Enjoy intimacy with the Lord in their daily walk with him.
- Have a compassion or mercy gifting.
- Feel comfortable praying alone, with others, in different environments, and at various times of the day.
Join your congregation’s prayer team
- Downtown: [email protected]
- East Side: [email protected]
- West Side Prayer Team
Pray for us: our prayer requests
Pray that our understanding of the gospel will be fleshed out in our practices.
- Boldness: Do we have the authority and expectancy that comes from that? Do we believe him only for what we have the human ability to accomplish? Do we expect, seek and find spiritual reality in worship and prayer? Are we as desperate in prayer and as creative and risk-taking as we were in the beginning? Do we dare to raise our families in the city?
- Humility: Are we welcoming and extremely approachable for anyone? Are we quick to admit wrong and forgive? Are we too concerned with our own dignity and whether our opinions are respected? Are we quick to give up our rights?
Pray that our love of the city will be fleshed out in the way we live.
Do our people love the city? Are a growing number of people committed to staying here long term? Are we really engaging with all the people of the city? Do we avoid the extremes of pitying (feeling superior to) the city and fleeing (feeling afraid of) the city? Do we understand the city — do we know what’s happening?
Pray for our community.
Are people being cared for by one another? Are we drawing most of our people into good Community Groups? Are our people growing in holiness? Are we developing a counter-culture that exhibits an alternative to the world's use of sex, money and power?
Pray for our outward face — evangelism.
Do we see changed lives across a range of people-types (corporate, creative, liberal, conservative, different races)? Are we the kind of church that can include non-Christians in our meetings and ranks without confusing or offending them?
Pray for our efforts at cultural renewal.
Does Redeemer equip believers to function in public arenas in a distinctively Christian manner, or does the world shape our people?
Pray for our compassion and justice. Do we balance our emphasis, rhetoric, money and spiritual gifts well between both word and deed ministry? Do our people care for the poor? Are we sacrificial in our giving of ourselves and of our resources to communities of need? Are we wise and smart in giving to communities of need?
Pray for our stewardship and administration.
Is the giving healthy? Are we being good stewards of the gifts of our staff? Are we being good stewards of our money? Is our church organization running smoothly? Is the vision being cast well? Does each staff department connect to the vision? Is there good unity and morale among leaders?
“Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:7).
