INTRODUCTION Prayer is the catalyst for God s work. God genuinely responds to the petitions of His people. So, if we want to see God do something incredible in us and in our Church, we must pray. We have created this prayer guide to draw you near to God. Over the next 31 days, you will have the opportunity to lift up specific prayers to God in order to draw near to Him. Prayers are for, AND : (GREAT LAKES CHURCH) (OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES) (OUTSIDE OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES) You can pray these prayers any time during the day... even on your lunch break or during the afternoon when toddlers are napping. To prepare yourself to pray, stop for a moment and say something like this: Lord, I want to connect with You about today s prayers. Help me put aside all the tasks I must accomplish today and just be with You during the next few moments. So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. PETER 5:6-7
1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people... 1 Timothy 2:1a Jesus, you drew me to Great Lakes Church and have blessed me. Thank you for allowing me to be part of a community focused on you and one who cheers me on my faith journey. I ask that you bring more people to our Church, so we can help them follow Jesus. Please help all the Churches in the surrounding area to point others to Jesus, so we can collectively impact Southeast Wisconsin. Lord, you know those around the globe who are far from you. Please break down any barriers that keep them from embracing the truth about you. Jesus, I boldly ask that all people worldwide worship you as their God. 2... Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf... 1 Timothy 2:1b Lord, you know how important our weekly services are to reach, encourage and inspire people. Great Lakes Church needs upgrades for our campuses in order to connect better through the use of audio, video and lighting upgrades. Please send resources so we can serve people with excellence. It is a mystery how you know every need of every person, every child. How foster kids must pull at your heart! You have laid foster kids on our Church s heart. Please help us go the extra mile by establishing a mentoring club for kids in foster care. Jesus, I take water for granted. It s plentiful and safe. You know those in other countries who need safe drinking water. Please help our Church dig a well as we partner with Hosea s Heart.
3 Always be joyful. Never stop praying. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 Lord, our Church wants to be intentional about the faith development of our children. Please help our kids know that they are loved, cared for, wanted and accepted. Please help each child understand that they have a Loving Heavenly Father. Jesus, please give us vision and clarity on how to best impact Southeast Wisconsin in the next 5 years. I lift up those involved in our Honduras Mission Trip. Let this trip change their lives and expand their view of the worldwide Church. 4 And may you have the power to understand, as all God s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. Ephesians 3:18 Lord, I lift up our Great Lakes Staff and their families. Guide each one so they will surrender every aspect of their life and ministry to you. You know each one intimately: Dave Nelson/Teaching & Lead Pastor, Justin Mathews/Kenosha Campus Pastor, Liesel Gruener/Operations Manager, James Nelson/Kenosha Kids Ministry Director, Jayson Etchison/Kenosha Student Ministries Pastor, Rex Hamilton/Racine Campus Pastor, Jaime Kamakian/Racine Kids Ministry Director, Bob Crum/Creative Director and Marie Shepherd/Groups & Care Pastor. Lord, give us wisdom as we look to partner with organizations in 2019 so we can have maximum impact in our local community. Jesus, guide our Student Ministries as we plan future Mission Trips. You know what it will take to make this happen. We long for our Middle School and High School students young faith to be positively impacted by their experience.
5 when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Matthew 6:6 Heavenly Father, we have unique needs with our multi-site Church. Please give our Leadership Team and Board wisdom to identify areas that both the Kenosha and Racine Campuses need. Most of all, please help our Church keep Jesus in the driver s seat. The Agape House has helped so many girls. Lord, please help the resources flow in from people s generosity so that a boy s expansion can happen. Heal the hurts of these young people. Remind them that you love them and that you created them for a purpose. Jesus, you know how we have financially supported Riverside Church in Budapest, Hungary. As Pastor Dave Buckley launches a second service, please bring the necessary volunteers to support the additional people. Help each person follow you, Jesus. 6 Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. Matthew 6:9 Our Father, help everyone in our Church give you the reverence and honor you so richly deserve. Stifle any profanity and trivial use of your name. You are our Amazing God! I love and honor you. I lift up our Great Lakes parents. Help each one grow in their relationship with you so they can guide their children with their faith journeys. Let them look to you, Heavenly Father, as their example of love, devotion and sacrifice. Lord, Riverside Church in Budapest is reaching out to the local Hungarians and the international community. Form a vibrant Church family that is all-inclusive and Christ-honoring.
7 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. Luke 6:28 Lord, relational conflict pains me. Please help me to pause for a few minutes and lift up anyone who has hurt me. Please help me forgive them. I ask that they know you and surrender to you. Jesus, you are the only one who knows the day-to-day challenges of our foster kids from Royal Family Kids. Please protect them. Please remind them that you are for them. I pray for those who will serve as volunteers this summer at our annual camp. Please bless them with the energy they need and the ability to connect with every child in effective ways. Lord, our partner, Hosea s Heart, fights for Swaziland girls who have achieved freedom from sexual abuse. Heal hearts. Let our resources provide needed provisions and a good education for each girl. 8 Anyone who wants to serve me (Jesus) must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me. John 12:26 Heavenly Father, thank you for the many volunteers who serve at Great Lakes Church! I pray that you would give each of them the patience, mercy and grace needed to communicate your love and acceptance to everyone who walks through our doors. Generous God, help generosity continue to grow in the hearts of our people so we can fuel our work, and. You know the forty children whom we have sponsored with our partner - Feed One. Besides the daily food, please nourish their souls with the hope and good news about you, Jesus.
9 The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous. Proverbs 15:29 My Lord God, you hear all the prayers from our Great Lakes Church people. Many are suffering from challenging life-issues. I lift up our people and ask that each one draw near to you. Please give each person hope. Bless them with a firm foundation of knowing that you love them more than they can imagine. God, please make Southeast Wisconsin a community that honors you. Create an internal drive in each person to seek you. Let loving one another become infectious! Jesus, you hear prayers from all over the world! Let those of us who follow you be righteous and honoring to you. Please unite the global Church to be full of grace and truth. 10 Don t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 Lord, as we continue to develop our Great Lakes Church Young Adults, please help this community become a tight-knit group that sees itself as family. I ask that these young adults would encounter a new version of faith that is ready for the adult world. And I pray that this group would become a force in volunteering and leading. Lord, please give us creative ideas on how we as a Church can increase our outreach to the special needs community. Jesus, many in our Church have packed food for Feed My Starving Children. Let these serving events become family traditions.
11 So guard yourselves and God s people. Feed and shepherd God s flock his church, purchased with his own blood over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders. Acts 20:28 Jesus, today I would like to pray for our Lead and Campus Pastors. Please watch over Dave, Justin and Rex. Please give Dave wisdom as he leads our Church. Lord, bless Justin for all he oversees. Bless his family and keep them safe. For Rex, please help his family continue to experience a smooth adjustment as they settle into their new community, work and schools. With so many large companies building and making their homes in Southeast Wisconsin, we are anticipating a spike in population. Lord, help the people seek you and community at our church, so we can encourage their faith journeys. Jesus, Great Lakes people serve around the country and across the globe. Bless their efforts, keep them safe and increase their faith. 12... And the angel replied, Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering! Acts 10:4 Lord, you know those at our Church who struggle financially. Let them seek help and guidance so they can be freed from the burden of debt. Bless our Money Mentors as they guide people. Many of our people at Great Lakes help others financially. Please increase my desire to be generous. I would like to view all my material possessions as yours in which I am the steward. Jesus, our Church supports many in developing countries. Bless each person with the knowledge that you are their God, provider and refuge. Let them be rich with spiritual blessings.
13 Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. Hebrews 13:4a Jesus, I lift up the marriages at Great Lakes Church. Help spouses include you in all their decisions for their marriage and families. Please give our Marriage Mentors wisdom and discernment as they guide couples. Lord, our culture is so sex-focused. Please help people look for the qualities within, not just our bodies. Help marriages be strongly committed. Help Singles make good choices in their dating partners. Help each person surrender to your transformation so they will be able to love deeply in healthy ways. Lord, there are over 60 million married couples in the USA. Please help each couple seek you to give their marriage a foundation. 14... Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. Hebrews 7:24-25 Jesus, it is amazing to know that you intercede for me! Right now I want to lift up these {name them} desires. Also, please continue to use our Church to influence people to follow you. Create a hunger for spiritual growth in everyone who belongs to Great Lakes Church. Lord, you know our hearts for those with Special Needs. We long to remind them that you love them. Please guide every decision we make so we can creatively serve them as you would desire. Heavenly Father, as you see people and their governments all over the world, please guide the decision-makers to peace and betterment for their citizens. Draw each person to you as their God. Help all worship and surrender to you only you.
15 He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Isaiah 40:29 Jesus, our Great Lakes Kids program strives to introduce our children to you and support the efforts of their parents. Please help each child to choose your ways all the days of their lives. Help them to form strong relationships with their classmates and GLC Leaders so they will have a hunger to know God. Please remind those in our community who are broken-hearted that you love them and are there to walk alongside them. Heavenly Father, please help the 40 children that Great Lakes Church feeds everyday with Feed One to thrive in all areas of life. Help each child know you. Keep them healthy. Educate them. Grow them into future Leaders of their country wise, Christian Leaders. 16 If you love me, obey my commandments. John 14:15 Lord, you know what sin patterns I struggle with. Forgive me. Help me to follow you in every area of my life. Give me a hunger to please you only you. Many struggle with secret sins or moral failures. Shine your light and truth on those dark places. Help all people long for health spiritually, emotionally and relationally. Jesus, as we practically support children and adults globally with water, food and necessities, please send committed Christ-followers to tell them about you. Empower them to be ambassadors that point to you.
17 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16 Heavenly Father, please increase my awareness of your presence so I develop the habit of talking with you during my day... everyday. Help me remember that I can be bold with you. You are a gracious and loving Father who adores me. Lord, many cry out prayers for help during difficult life struggles. Please lead them to a Church like ours where they can learn about you and make decisions to surrender and follow you. Lord, as Great Lakes embarks on mission trips this year, let us be the hands and feet and heart of Jesus to every person we meet. Let all who serve be forever changed. Give them a vision of the world-wide Church and your activity around the globe. 18 Never stop praying. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 For all of 2019, please increase my hunger for you, Lord. Help me be purposeful in my pursuit of spiritual growth. Help me to embrace a lifestyle that has margin, so I can reflect on who you are and how I can honor you with my everyday life. Lord, for all our children at Great Lakes Church and in the surrounding community please protect them. Keep them healthy. Open their hearts up to you. Help them never stray from you. Lord, I ask you to break my heart over the same things that break your heart. When I hear or read the news, remind me to pray.
19 I am leaving you with a gift peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 Jesus, often I am weary, troubled or afraid. Help me experience your peace of mind and heart, Lord. Help me find deep, lasting joy in my relationship with you. Please guide each foster child we support through Royal Family Kids to know you. Remind them that you adore them. Remind them of the hope you bring. Keep them safe. Give them your peace, God. Jesus, what must it be like to be a recipient of the shoes we cut for Sole Hope? How many pairs of shoes do I own?!! Protect these precious people, Lord. Keep them healthy. Let them hear and receive the good news that you offer. Bless them. 20 You didn t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit... John 15:16 What an amazing truth, Lord Jesus! You chose me! You have a purpose for my life! Help me to discover my purpose and gifts so that I may bless others. Help me to serve others and honor you. Help families at Great Lakes Church set a firm foundation of love and service to you. Let multi-generations worship you only you. Remind each person no matter what age they are that you are their Constant Companion who is also their Mighty God. Jesus, I lift up the 50+ families whom we ve supported with life stock from Heifer International. Let these families not to struggle with poverty or hunger. Remind them that they are chosen by you to produce spiritual fruit. Increase their knowledge and relationship with you.
21 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 1 Corinthians 9:13 Jesus, thank you for your generosity in my life. I am rich! I have enough food, shelter and resources, as well as blessings of my family, friends and Church. Help me to always be thankful. Please bless all those who volunteer at Great Lakes Church. You see how generous they are as they care and serve. Please bless them and remind them that their good efforts touch your heart. Lord, the universal Church provides generously to our brothers and sisters around the world who need food, shelter, medical attention, education and resources. Please increase our impact as we strive to be Jesus to the least of these. 22 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 Lord, you know how important our weekly services are to share the good news about you. Anoint our Teaching Pastors. Break down any barriers so each person will hear truth and surrender to you. Let us be a humble people who follow you! Create in all of us in Southeast Wisconsin a deep hunger to honor you in all we do. Jesus, many of our global brothers and sisters who are devoted to you experience persecution for their faith. It is hard for me to comprehend. Protect them. Give them your words to speak. Give them boldness! Bless them with every spiritual blessing. Remind them that you will have rewards awaiting for them in eternity.
23 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 Jesus, our first priority at Great Lakes Church is to help people find and follow you. Let everything we do be focused on that mission. Increase those who make a decision to surrender and follow you, as well as, those who are baptized in 2019. Fill our Groups so that people can learn firsthand how to follow you. Please help all the surrounding Churches teach about you our One, True God. Heavenly Father, according to statistics, Christianity is the largest world religion. Please let us be a people who take our faith seriously and model how you would live in 2019. Help us to love well. Draw others to us they will make decisions to become followers of Jesus. 24 O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. Psalm 139:1-3 Lord, for 2019 increase my daily awareness of you. You are my Friend, as well as, my God. Let me feel your presence. Let me seek you out as I make decisions. When I sin, let me quickly confess. When I have choices to make, let me honor you. Lord, remind our children to take you with them every day to school. For those of us who work outside of the home, increase our thoughts of you throughout the day. Help us to be hardworking and caring in the workplace. Let our actions speak loudly for who we follow. Jesus, lay eternity on each person s heart. Remind each person that you know everything about them and are there to guide them.
25 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. Philippians 3:20 Jesus, please put an eternal perspective in my heart and mind. I don t want to lose sight of the fact that someday I will see you, feel your embrace and hear your voice. Let that give me hope. Please help all those at Great Lakes Church and the surrounding community who have lost loved ones. Be their Comforter, Peace- Giver and Loving Companion. Let each person feel your closeness. Jesus, you know those who have not given a thought to their mortality. Let each person seek answers about eternity, and then let them find you! 26 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 Lord, please remind me of the truth of this Scripture when I struggle. Thank you in advance for giving me strength. Jesus, many in our Church family struggle with substance abuse. They are self-medicating or already addicted. Help them find freedom in sobriety. Let their Higher Power be you, Jesus. My God, often when I hear world news, I get overwhelmed. The bottom-line truth is that everyone needs you. Draw all people to you. Be their God the One who is there to give them strength.
27 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke and encourage your people with good teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2 Jesus, people will soon be signing up to be in Great Lakes Church Groups. Let there be a place for everyone and give us record signups. Help people establish relationships that will make our large Church small. Help each Group be a safe place to discuss matters of faith and life issues. Give each Group Leader a heart of a shepherd over their members. Please galvanize every person who follow you, Jesus, to be serious about helping others grow in their faith. Lord, draw people to Great Lakes who have avoided Church. Let each of them make a commitment to attending services and being open to the hope that can only be found in you. Jesus, I pray for a world-wide revival. May the word of God be preached in every country to every person. 28 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. James 1:5 My God, often our culture makes following you a challenge. I think it must be very challenging for our teenagers. Instill your message of hope in each teen who attends Great Lakes Church. Give them wisdom to choose to walk with you. Help them honor their parents and you. Help them grow into adults who are a shining light to you. My Lord, Agape House wants to minister to boys. Please bring wise and capable leaders and counselors who will guide each boy. Please bless Agape House with abundant resources. Jesus, you know the needs of our USA government. Please give our President and elected officials wisdom directly from you. Please move the hearts of every decision-maker who rules in any capacity in our wonderful country, so that they will honor you and our citizens.
29 I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6 Jesus, you know the day I will see you face-to-face at home in heaven. Until then I let me serve you will intentionality. Increase my capacity to love others. Help all of us at Great Lakes Church seek to please you. Break our hearts over the things that break your heart. And bring joy to our hearts over the things that bring you joy. Please help all the surrounding Churches model deep commitment to you. Free us from being judgmental or legalistic. Let all of us be the hands, feet and heart of Jesus to everyone in Southeast Wisconsin. Jesus, you know those around the globe who are far from you. Please draw them to you so that all will surrender. Let them hear and personally accept the truth that you are the only way to God. 30 And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. Philemon 1:6 O Generous Lord, you have blessed me with so much! Increase my heart to bless others. Help me to see that you own everything I have. I am but a steward of your many gifts. Please help me to be generous with my resources and to be financially sound. Lord, Great Lakes Church is reaching out to so many organizations to offer financial support. Please let each dollar we send be used in a way that helps people and honors you. Jesus, we ve given financial support to like-minded Churches. Please help Blue Ridge Church/Virginia, Center Church/California, The Meeting Place/Washington, Saints Community Church/Louisiana, and Thrive Church/Michigan to share the good news of redemption so that every person receives you as their God and Savior.
31 So let s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don t give up. Galatians 6:9 Jesus, you drew me to follow you and do good for the people you have in my life. Please help me to be Jesus-with-skin-on to my family, co-workers, friends, community and ministry. Give your vision of doing good to everyone at Great Lakes Church. Lord, many of our people pack food at Feed My Starving Children in Libertyville. Help all the food packets arrive in the designated, international areas hassle-free. Impress upon those who eat that food that you are a loving, good God who is there for them. Jesus, our Great Lakes Church Missions Trip to Honduras is leaving soon. Please protect each person. Increase everyone s faith because of what they experience. Bless the locals. We want to honor you.