By Brandon Lemons
In the weeks leading up to Easter, Friedens is hosting a prayer meeting on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30pm via Zoom. Each week, there is a time for giving God thanks and praise, praying for the specific needs of individuals in the church family, and praying for a “theme of the week.” This week’s theme is “the health and unity of Friedens Church.” Regardless of whether you join tonight’s prayer meeting, I encourage you to read through these Bible passages and pray for the requests that follow the passages. If you’re able, though, I urge you to participate in the prayer meeting!
John 13:34-35
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Ephesians 4:1-6
As a prisoner for the LORD, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:11-16
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Philippians 2:1-4
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Prayer themes
· That Friedens will live out the passages written above.
· That when there are disagreements or concerns, people will go to the source to seek understanding and reconciliation.
· That hot-button issues like COVID and politics won’t be divisive among the people of Friedens.
· That the Friedens Family will enjoy quality relationships with one another.
· That the Friedens Family will be active in carrying one another’s burdens and praying for one another.
· That Friedens’ Leadership Board and Staff Team will be united and lead wisely.
· That Friedens will be following where God is leading.