Arise to Prepare Disciples

It is not only important that people come to faith in Christ but also that they grow and develop in their faith. Think back on your own Christian walk and think about how you have grown closer to God, have got to know Him better and seen Him act to teach you so much more about Himself, even if through difficult circumstances. The apostle Paul was always praying for those whom he had led to Christ. Are we as diligent about praying for those whom we have had the privilege of introducing to the Saviour?

Reading: Paul’s Prayer – Ephesians 1:15-23

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.

Responsive Praise

Reflective Prayer

Like Paul we say “The good that I want to do I don’t do and the evil I don’t want to do is what I do” Romans 7: 15 Use this prayer to ask God to keep you growing in your faith, drawing closer to Him and becoming more like Him.

HEAVENLY FATHER,
Save me entirely from sin.
I know I am righteous through the
righteousness of another,
but I pant and pine for likeness to thyself;
I am thy child and should bear thy image,
Enable me to recognize my death unto sin;
When it tempts me may I be deaf unto its voice.
Deliver me from the invasion as well as
the dominion of sin.
Grant me to walk as Christ walked,
to live in the newness of his life,
the life of love, the life of faith,
the life of holiness.
I abhor my body of death,
its indolence, envy, meanness, pride.
Forgive, and kill these vices,
have mercy on my unbelief,
on my corrupt and wandering heart.
When thy blessings come I begin to idolize them,
and set my affection on some beloved object —
children, friends, wealth, honour;
Cleanse this spiritual adultery and give me chastity;
close my heart to all but thee.
Sin is my greatest curse;
Let thy victory be apparent to my consciousness,
and displayed in my life.
Help me to be always devoted, confident, obedient,
resigned, childlike in my trust of thee,
to love thee with soul, body, mind, strength,
to love my fellow-man as I love myself,
to be saved from unregenerate temper,
hard thoughts, slanderous words, meanness,
unkind manners,
to master my tongue and keep the door
of my lips.
Fill me with grace daily,
that my life be a fountain
of sweet water.
Amen