Day 1 of Prayer

Monday, January 6, 2020

As our church family is beginning a year of transition, we need God’s wisdom, direction and strength. We are praying for the Lord’s agenda to be fulfilled in our church. How is he leading in our lives individually and together as a church family?

Let us focus on this Scripture and turn to the Lord in prayer.

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.

The power of prayer is evident in the early church. Some of us find “doing” easier than pausing to pray first. Prayer is our humble recognition of dependence on God’s wisdom and strength. “Prayer should not be treated as the last resort, but rather as the place the work begins!”

“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working (James 5:16b ESV).”

“And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken,
and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).

Lord, I am seeking to depend upon you today. And, throughout my day, by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit help me to “speak the Word of God with boldness” to those who do not know you.

Pray for one another . . .

Day 2 of Prayer

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

The book of Acts emphasizes the theme of prayer at the heart of the health and growth of the early church. For example, as the church faced persecution, the believers gathered for prayer which began with words of praise and adoration.

“Sovereign Lord, [You] made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them”
(Acts 4:24).

The Lord seeks a relationship with his people. Prayer begins with a focus on the character and capability of God. So, before we seek God’s “hand” to ask Him for something, we should seek his “face.” Our prayer requests will be more in line with God’s will when we focus on God’s character and observe what He is doing. We are recognizing Jesus as King and we are subject to His will for our lives.

Let’s begin our time of prayer each day with praise and adoration.

“Heavenly Father, I worship you, the Holy One, for your . . .
grace, kindness, faithfulness, love, mercy, justice, strength, power, greatness . . .”

Praying for one another . . .

Day 3 of Prayer

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

There are many postures of prayer found in the Bible from looking upward to lying prostrate on your face. Posture isn’t everything, but it can help focus our hearts on the Lord. One of those postures is kneeling (Greek, gonypeteo meaning to “kneel down before” from gony which means “knee”). When you enter the presence of royalty you bow down. In the presence of the King of Kings we kneel.

As an expression of your prayer of worship, you may choose to kneel expressing reverence and awe before the King. This shows humble dependence upon God. “The way to up is down.”

Come, let us bow down in worship,
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker . . . (Psalm 95:6)

32And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified… 36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all (Acts 20:32,36).

One way of showing reverence is in a physical posture. Kneeling and bowing before God is an expression of worship encouraged by the Scriptures. C. H. Spurgeon observes, “Posture is not everything, yet it is something; prayer is heard when knees cannot bend, but it is fitting that an adoring heart should show its awe by prostrating the body and bending the knee.”

The Apostle Paul prays for the church in Ephesus,

3:14For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Praying for one another . . .

Day 4 of Prayer

Thursday, January 9, 2020

Some Christians use the acrostic A.C.T.S. to guide their expression of prayer.

Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication.

After we begin a time of prayer with adoration focusing on the character and capability of God, we see our own weaknesses including our sin in the light of His holiness. Confession of sin follows adoration.

“If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

We need to be transformed individually and corporately to be more Christlike.

We need to guard our conversations from gossip and slander and instead to be encouraging, seeking reconciliation and building each other up.

Praying for one another . . .

Day 5 of Prayer

Friday, January 10, 2020

Let us focus our praying on giving thanks. Picture entering the court of the King with gratitude for his provision for the subjects in his kingdom.

Psalm 100

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

The Hebrew word translated “thanks” is todah which means to praise God for who He is and thank Him for what He has done.

Let’s focus our prayers on expressing gratitude. “Thank the Lord for family, friends, your church, your salvation, your daily provisions, health and strength . . .”

Praying for one another . . .

Day 6 of Prayer

Saturday, January 11, 2020

As we begin to intercede for others in “supplication,” let us first pray for our youth. They face an increasingly hostile world as followers of Christ. They are often naïve to the deception and distractions of the Evil One who seeks to destroy. Our young people are “paddling upstream.”

Pray for our Youth Ministry Leadership Team led by Dan Cooper, Amy Sommerville, Derek Werthmueller and Rick D’Errico as they engage our students with the truth God’s Word, the encouragement of fellow believers, and mentoring relationships.

Pray also for our Youth Search Team as they seek the Lord’s will for new pastoral leadership for our youth. We are seeking a youth director\pastor to come alongside our parents to make disciples of the next generation.

Pray for wisdom and discernment for the search team members: Andy Lightcap (chairperson), Amy Sommerville, Pastor Bob Port, Carolyn Norris, Todd Johnston, Andy Crabtree, Rick D’Errico, and Jeremy Armstrong.

“If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask of God” (James 1:17).

Pray for our future leaders. As Pastor Peter “passes the baton” his greatest joy is to develop and to delegate to leadership to the next generation. In addition to new pastoral leadership, our church needs future elders, servant leaders, and ministry leaders.

When the early church selected new leaders, they looked for those who were “full of wisdom and of the Spirit” (Acts 6:3). As Barnabas mentored Paul, Paul mentored Timothy, and Timothy mentored leaders in the church at Ephesus, we need to mentor the next generation of leaders (2 Timothy 2:1-2).

Seek the guidance of a more mature leader to help you maximize your gifts in God’s service. Pray for that person you can come alongside as your successor in ministry. Invite someone to join you.

Praying for one another . . .

Day 7 of Prayer

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Pray for our twelve elders along with our pastoral elders, Pastor Bob and Pastor Peter. These men carry additional responsibility during times of transition. Pray for:

• Jeremy Armstrong
• Tom Bird (Chairman)
• Greg Bibighaus
• Phil Catchpole (Vice-chairman)
• Andy Crabtree
• Rick D’Errico
• Mark Hancock
• Steve Healy
• Hal Miller (Secretary)
• Dale Norris
• Walt Scram
• John Taormina

The elders will lead a time of Bible study, sharing your concerns, an update on the transition process and prayer on the second Wednesday evening of each month, from 6:30 to 8 PM. They are there to listen to your concerns and perspectives as well as to pray with you for God’s direction for our church.

Praying for one another . . .

Day 8 of Prayer

Monday, January 13, 2020

Pray for our staff ministry team.

• Peter Mason, Senior Pastor
• Bob Port, Executive Pastor
• Paul Taddeo, Director of Worship and Media Arts
• Steve Nygaard, Director of Facilities
• Beth Romero, Administrative Assistant
• Betsy D’Errico, Director of Children’s Preschool Ministries
• Carrie Pearson, Director of Children’s Elementary Ministry
• Melissa Worcester, Custodial Care

The transition in pastoral leadership impacts everyone on the team. Each one carries additional responsibilities during a time of transition.

Pray for the families of the staff. They are most valuable to the effectiveness of these leaders and they are most vulnerable to the challenges and criticisms that leaders face.

Pray for these leaders as they multiply ministry. The primary responsibility of the staff is “to equip the saints to do the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:11ff).

Pray for the Lord’s guidance in your life to discern how you can use your gifts to “build up the body.”

Praying for one another . . .

Day 9 of Prayer

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Pray for God’s vision for our church to be fulfilled:
To Edify . . . . . To Evangelize . . . . . To Exalt

Pray for our servant leaders and their teams as they are seeking to help us fulfill this vision:

Fellowship/Discipleship is to equip God’s people in their walk with God and to equip them to share their faith with the lost.

Adoration/Worship is to declare God’s glory before the world.

Impact/Missions is to share the Gospel both locally and globally.

Train/Mentor godly parents to equip their children to worship the Lord, to grow in their relationship with God and to share their faith with the lost.

Help/Serve the practical needs of people with a view to meeting their eternal need for a Savior.

Praying for one another . . .

Day 10 of Prayer

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Pray for the Transition Team.

As our church goes through a time of transition we have a team of people who are gathering to plan for the future of our church. On the second Wednesday of each month, they will give an update to the church and listen to your concerns for prayer.

• Greg Bibighaus
• Tom Bird
• Pastor Bob Port
• Phil Catchpole
• Jesse Gardner
• Maria McCall
• Kevin Sommerville
• Rhonda Wadsworth

Praying for one another . . .

Day 11 of Prayer

Thursday, January 16, 2020

In Acts, chapter 13, while the leaders of the church in Antioch were praying, the Spirit set apart Barnabas and Saul to be missionaries to raise up churches. The rest of the leaders prayed for them and sent them out. You can see that prayer activates the Spirit to select leaders to go out to do His work.

As the early church leaders prayed, the Lord guided them in selecting Barnabas and Paul for ministry:

13 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Pray for the selection and service of the Senior Pastoral Search team.

• Pray for clarity in understanding the pastoral leadership model for Faith.
• Pray for wisdom and discernment as to who should be recommended to the congregation to fulfill that role.
• Pray for perseverance for the team along the search journey.
• Pray for unity on the team and in the church in the selection process.
• Pray for protection from discouragement and division.

Praying for one another . . .

Day 12 of Prayer

Friday, January 17, 2020

Pray for victory over spiritual attack by relying on the truth of God’s Word.

Ephesians 6 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Praying for one another . . .

Day 13 of Prayer

Saturday, January 18, 2020

During times of change and transition there can be a feeling of uncertainty. Prayer results in God’s peace. Bring your personal needs and concerns to the Lord today.

Philippians 4:6-7 English Standard Version (ESV)

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Praying for one another . . .

Day 14 of Prayer

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Pray for our nation and the Church.

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful ad quiet life, godly and dignified in every way . . .” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

The early church faced increasing persecution from religious and governmental authorities. In Acts chapter 12 Peter was arrested for the sake of the gospel. The church prayed fervently concerning him. The Lord answered the prayer of the church and released him.

“Heavenly Father, give me a godly perspective on both my earthly citizenship and my heavenly one. I pray for our nation and her leaders asking you to do a work of grace in our land, a work of revival among your people and work of renewal in our culture. Forgive us our many sins, break our rebellious attitude, turn our nation from darkness to light. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.” (from Converge 21-Days of Prayer)

Praying for one another . . .

Day 15 of Prayer

Monday, January 20, 2020

Pray for our partnership with other churches locally, regionally and nationally. Pray for other local congregations in the Capital Region who are part of the Liberty Church Network and for our regional, national and international affiliation through our denomination, Converge.

• Locally
  • Liberty Church Network including:
    • Grace Chapel in Jonesville
    • Church at Newtown Road in Halfmoon
    • Star Point in Clifton Park
    • Sonrise Bible Church in Rotterdam
    • One Church in Clifton Park
    • Tera Nova of Saratoga Springs
• Regionally
  • Converge Northeast with Dr. Tim Ponzani
• National and International
  • Converge International with Scott Ridout

Praying for one another . . .

Day 16 of Prayer

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Jesus said, “Follow me . . . and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4).

• God has called us to make disciples. This involves growing to . . .
  • Know Christ,
  • Become more like Christ, and
  • Introduce others to Christ.

The purpose of our adult ministries are discipleship.

• Adult Ministries—The mission is to “make disciples.”
  • Men’s Ministry
  • Women’s Ministry
  • Faith Moms
  • Faith Groups

Are you making disciples? Pray for opportunities to make disciples. Come alongside someone to strengthen them in their walk with God.

Praying for one another . . .

Day 17 of Prayer

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Jesus has commissioned us to be His witnesses “both in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). There is a short word in the Greek New Testament, te, which some Bibles do not translate, but it is correctly translated “both.” Our mission is “both” local and global. Our objective to strengthen our church is not for ourselves, but to enable us to reach the lost around us across the street and around the world.

Our church takes this mission seriously.

Recently, Steve Marshall, our missionary to Lyon, France, stopped in to thank our church for faithfully supporting his church planting work for the past 12 years. Your giving and praying have enabled him to go forward planting new congregations.

Missions is radically changing and we need to prayerfully engage with how God wants us to reach the world with the Good News.

• Pray for our Faith Missions team led by servant leaders Joe Twardy and Dustin Slisher.
• Pray for our missionaries including Steve and Sabrina Marshall along with their four children. They are looking forward to staying in our ministry house in 2021.
• Pray for our mission strategy to be most effective.

The Apostle Paul appealed to the believers in Ephesus to pray for him in his missionary work:

6:19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Praying for one another . . .

Day 18 of Prayer

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Praying the King’s Agenda

Revelation 19:11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

This is a future vision of Christ’s return to earth. He will come as a victorious conqueror, a righteous judge and a merciful Savior. Jesus is the King of Kings. He is Lord of lords. When a king speaks, his subjects listen. When the master sets the agenda, we must follow.

“Lord, we submit to you for the future of each of our lives and for our church family.”

Praying for one another . . .

Day 19 of Prayer

Friday, January 24, 2020

God wants to change each one of us to be more like Christ during this year of transition in our church. Your new pastor will only be able to lead as far as you are willing to follow. Pray for the heart of our leadership and church family to follow the leadership of the new pastor.

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.

Here is the concluding prayer.

23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

Praying for one another . . .

Day 20 of Prayer

Saturday, January 25, 2020

“We cannot live for ourselves alone. Our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads” (Herman Melville). The Bible describes the “one another” responsibilities of believers in the church body. Give some examples:

1. Love one another (John 13:34)
2. Speak the truth to one another (Ephesians 4:15)
3. Encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
4. “Let us not judge one another anymore” (Romans 14:13)
5. Forgive each other (Ephesians 4:32)
6. “Be kind to one another” (Ephesians 4:32)
7. Honor one another (Romans 12:10)
8. “Admonish one another with psalms” (Colossians 3:16)

Most importantly, we are called to pray for one another . . .

As we begin this New Year we have many needs in our church family—the sick, the struggling, those working through strained relationships, financial challenges, and spiritual battles. Let us faithfully pray for one another.

Praying for one another . . .

Day 21 of Prayer

Sunday, January 26, 2020

Thank you for participating in these “21 Days of Prayer” with a focus on seeking God’s direction during this time of transition at Faith. God has gifted His Church with leaders to start and strengthen his church.

“But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift . . . And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry for building up the body of Christ . . .” (Ephesians 4:11-12).

Paul concluded his ministry in Ephesus praying with and for the church.

Acts 20 17 Now from Miletus Paul sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. . . if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. . . I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 . . . 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. . . . 36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

During these times of change, we can feel uncertain and even fearful about the future, but God is able to do far more than we can imagine. Let the Apostle Paul’s benediction be our prayer:

Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Praying for one another . . .