December Prayer Week

You are invited to pray intentionally for kingdom growth in Whatcom County, and the partnership between existing churches and church plants, from Monday, December 15 through Wednesday, December 17. In accepting the invitation to pray for this endeavor, you are also invited to fast at whatever level you choose it is appropriate for you and your health (a meal a day, the entire 3 days, 1 day, commit to only eating certain things, or not at all. Whatever you see fit). Feel free to contact Aaron Walters for further help (contact information below). During these 3 days you are welcome to use this prayer guide, or portions of it. There are 6 sections corresponding to the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), which have been adapted from the Heidelberg Catechism (Q & A 120-128), and you are encouraged to pray from each section everyday (prayer requests for existing churches and for the Whatcom County Church Plant are in bold). You are also invited to pray with others when possible, as there is power in communal prayer (Matthew 18:20).

The 3-days of intentional prayer will come to a close at a prayer gathering on the evening of Wednesday December 17 (contact me if you are interested). That evening we will plan on praying together for kingdom growth, established churches, and the church plant; refreshments will be served afterwards, where those who are fasting are welcome to cease their fast.

May God bless us as we seek Him together and as we partner together in seeking to follow His command of kingdom building (Matthew 28:19-20).


Prayer Guide:
Section 1: Praise (“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…”)
-Prayer of Praise #1
-Read: Matthew 7:9-11
-Prayer: God in our prayers to you we are commanded by Christ to call you Father. We profess that you are our Father in heaven. Father, we ask that you would kindle us a childlike awe and trust that you, through Christ, became our Father, for you do not refuse us the things of this life, and will not refuse to give us what we ask in faith.

-Prayer of Praise #2
-Prayer: Father, we profess that we believe that you are “wholly other” seated in your majesty as creator, sustainer and redeemer, and yet you are present with us, for you say in Jeremiah 23:23-24, “Am I only a God nearby”… “and not a God far away? Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him… Do not I fill heaven and earth?” Father, we praise and worship you today for your provision and grace, professing the words of Romans 8:31-32, “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Thank you Father.

-Prayer of Praise #3
-Read: Jeremiah 9:23-24
-Prayer: Father, help us to really know you, to bless, worship, and praise you for all your works and for all that shines forth from them. We worship you for your almighty power, your wisdom, your kindness, your justice, your mercy, and for your truth. Father, we agree with the words of Paul, from Romans, 11:33-36, “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever!” Father, please help us to direct all our living, what we think, say, and do, so that your name will never be blasphemed because of us but always honored and praised, for you are worthy and deserve our praise, thanksgiving, and worship.

Section 2: Kingdom Work (“…your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven …”)
-Prayer for the Work of the God’s Kingdom #1
-Prayer: Father, we pray that your kingdom will come and your will would be done. Rule in us by your Word and Spirit in such a way that more and more we will submit to you. In the words of Psalm 143:10, I pray that you would “teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Father, please keep your church strong, and add to it. Father, destroy the devil's work; destroy every force which revolts against you; destroy and every conspiracy against your Word; defeat any force which would seek to divide us and your church. We look forward to the day when you, in the words of Romans 16:20, will “crush Satan under [our] feet.” Sustain us and your church until your kingdom is so complete and perfect that in it you are all in all.
-Read Romans 8:22-23
-Pray for your church and other existing churches: 1. God would continue the good work being done in the Church, 2. God would invigorate members of the Church with a renewed heart to those on the fringe of faith, both inside and outside the walls of the Church, and for missions (locally and globally, 3. God would inspire the Church with creative means to address the needs, both physical and spiritual, of those in our communities
-Read Acts 2:42-47
-Pray for the following requests concerning the church plant: 1. God would call us, as a partnership, to serve a specific neighborhood by Jan. 1, 2. God would rise up a “person of peace” (Luke 10:1-7) in the neighborhood, who would be a local ally and resource, 3. God would rise up a leadership team, passionate to advance God’s kingdom, with shepherding hearts and gifts/passions in administration, children’s/youth discipleship, and prayer, 4. God would help us discern an appropriate church planting model, so His work would be advanced through us. Specifically, whether a house church model focused on service and the four elements seen in Acts 2:42 is best, and if not that what model would serve our setting

-Prayer for the Work of the God’s Kingdom #2
-Read Romans 12:1-2
-Prayer: Father we pray that your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Help us and all people to reject our own wills and to obey your will, for your will alone is good. Father, please speak to us and teach us concerning the work you would have us do for your glory and for your church. Help us, one and all, to carry out the work we are called to, as willingly and faithfully as the angels in heaven.
-Pray for the following requests concerning the partnership between existing churches and the church plant:
-God would use your church, other existing churches, and this church plant to bring those on fringe of faith into a saving faith in Jesus Christ
-God would use this partnership of churches to bring a revival of the Holy Spirit into the hearts of believers
-God would use these church your church, other existing churches, and this church plant to reach and serve their neighborhoods in the name of Christ

Section 3: Provision (“…Give us today our daily bread …”)
-Prayer for God’s Provision
-Pray the words of Psalm 104:24-35
-Prayer: Father, we pray today that you would give us our daily bread; we pray for your provision. Please take care of all our physical needs so that we come to know that you are the only source of everything good, and that we would know that neither our work and worry nor your gifts can do us any good without your blessing. We profess, in the words of James 1:17, that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from [you,] the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” Father, help us to give up our trust in creatures, whether it is the work or belief in ourselves or of another person, group, or establishment; but rather, help us to put our trust in you alone. Father, increased our faith, humility, and trust in you. Help us to be as the tree seen in Jeremiah 17:7-8, that is “planted by the water [and] sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Section 4: Confession (“…Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors…”)
-Prayer of Confession
-Pray that the Holy Spirit would allow your own wrongdoings to come to mind, whether they be thoughts, words, and/or actions, and present those in confession to God
-Prayer: Father, please forgive our sins, and help us to also forgive those who sin against us. We are sorry for our sins against you, others, and ourselves. Please, do not hold against us any of the sins we do. Thank you that, in the words of Romans 8:1, “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Thank you for your mercy, and, as it says in 1 John 2:2, that Jesus “is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” Thank you, Jesus. Thank you Father that, because of Christ's blood, we can rest in confidence before you.

Section 5: Submission/Protection (“…And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one…”)
-Prayer for God’s Protection
-Read 1 Peter 5:6-11
-Prayer: Father, grant us the humility to realize that without you we are weak and unable. Give us the eyes to see that our sworn enemies the devil, the world, and our own flesh never stop attacking us. Protect us from ourselves, from those who desire to isolate and discourage us, whether they can be seen or remain unseen. Father, uphold us and make us strong with the strength of your Holy Spirit, so that we may not go down to defeat in this spiritual struggle, but may firmly resist our enemies until we finally win the complete victory.
-Pray for God’s protection over you and your family, over your church, and over the efforts and those involved in the church plant

Section 6: Praise (“…for your’s is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”)
-Concluding Prayer
-Prayer: Father, we have made all these requests of you because you are our all-powerful king, able to give us all that is good. To you we worship and praise. In the words of Psalm 115:1, “Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” All glory and praise be unto your name, God. It is in the powerful and saving name of your son, Jesus Christ, that we pray to you Father. Amen.