KINGDOM PRAYERS FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2023
FMC PRAYER: Thank you Lord, for the spiritual gifts you have placed within FMC. “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (1Corinthians 12:4-7) Teach us to use what we’ve received to serve others and faithfully administer Your loving grace through our thoughts and actions. Help us exercise our gifts in love and remind us to keep fanning into flame the gifts You’ve entrusted to us.
SUNDAY’S SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 5:7-14
FMC VALUE: Value 5 – Wash Windows: The heart of this value is humility and ownership. No one at FMC is too good to wash windows – or even someone else’s feet for that matter. Each FMC leader must own every piece of FMC (right down to the windows). This kind of ownership leads to excellence. If you see something and think, “Someone should do something about that,” then that someone is you! Always try to see through the eyes of a guest and never think, “That’s not my problem.” We must constantly be striving to improve the things we see around us. All of us must be willing to engage in the menial tasks down to washing our windows.
INVISIBLE CHURCH: Lord, guide our leadership in faithfully shepherding Your flock. Thank You for the gift of pastors, teachers, and elders and bless the spouses and families of those leaders as they partner in the call of ministry. Strengthen their faith and joy in the gospel as they faithfully shepherd the church and equip the saints for ministry. Give them great wisdom and direction in every aspect of life so that they may patiently exemplify to the church and the world who You are. Help us honor them as your appointed shepherds who sacrifice much for the Kingdom’s sake. (Hebrews 13:17).
PILLAR: Pillar 10: Grateful Hearts (thankful/merciful/charitable/generous) Part of this pillar is acknowledging that our time, talents, and treasures don’t belong to us; all go back in the box at the end of the game. Pray that you/we would use our gifts accordingly.
PRACTICE: Our first response of gratitude is prayer, and the daily discipline of prayer – both individually and together – should mark the Christian life. The life of prayer includes praise to God for His nature and works, sincere confession of our sin, and intercession for the needs of those we know and for the needs of the world. Practice: tell God what you are thankful for each day.