Dear Members and Friends of IBCZ,
One of the greatest gifts God has given us is the gift of prayer. Through prayer God invites us to bring all our concerns and joys to Him. Scripture assures us that as we pray according to His will, God answers. In prayer, we enter the very presence of God. What a gift! So, this week the church leadership encourages us all to join our hearts in prayer by following the prayer schedule below. Of course, you should also pray as your normally do, but in addition, let us all join together in praying for these matters in the coming week.
Grace and peace
Pastor Bob
Sunday, Feb. 24
Prayers of Thanksgiving
Let’s begin our week of prayer by thanking God for His gracious blessings, especially for the gift of forgiveness and salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Keep these passages in mind as you pray, and let your day be filled with gratitude to God:
Rom. 3:21-25 – But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith.
Eph. 2:4-5 – But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
Rom. 5:6-8 – You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Monday, Feb. 25
Your Relationship with God
Today focus your prayers on your own spiritual growth and walk with Christ. Ask God for a heart that seeks after Him above all, and that you will discern His guidance for your life. You may want to pray these Bible passages:
Mark 12:29-31 – Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Col. 3:12 – Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Rom. 12:1-2 – Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Tuesday, Feb. 26
Your Family, Loved Ones, and Friends
Lift up your family to God – your spouse, children, parents, brothers or sisters, or other extended family members. Ask God’s blessing and protection over all, that each will experience God’s salvation, and pray that you will be a godly influence to your family members. If you are now without close family members in this world, pray for your friends, that they may experience the goodness of God and that you will be Christ-like in all your relationships.
As you think of your family and your relationships with all those dear to you, pray Eph. 4:32 – 5:2 for yourself – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Wednesday, Feb. 27
IBCZ
Today let’s keep our church, the International Church of Zurich, in our prayers. Pray that our ministries will be directed and empowered by God. Pray for a deep sense of love and fellowship among us. Pray for all who are serving, whether in leadership, as Sunday School teachers, worship leaders, Home Group leaders, those who serve behind the scenes, etc. Pray for our unity as a church family. Pray that everyone will contribute to the growth of the church by using their God-given gifts. Pray for those who are sick, grieving, or facing challenging circumstances.
Eph 4:3 – Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Eph. 4:16 – From Him (Christ) the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Thursday, Feb. 28
The World
Today let’s direct our attention to the whole world. Pray for the lost, for those yet to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray for all who are suffering and for the places of conflict. Let’s also pray for the various missions/missionaries we support as a church, including:Madagascar Orphanage Ministry, Dayaway (Vicky), Pastor Milad & Hada (Lebanon Refugee School), Bruce and Shirley Davie (Africa for Christ and Greensleeves), and the Open Door Foundation in Romania (Monica)
Some passages you can pray are:
John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Mt. 9:37 – The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into this harvest field.
Mt. 28:18-20 – Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Friday, March 1
The Worldwide Church
Today let’s move beyond our own church and pray for the church around the world. Pray that in all places, the church will remain faithful to God and be a true witness to the love and grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Pray especially for the church in lands of persecution, that they will remain true to the Lord and experience God’s protection.
Mt. 16:18 (Jesus said), “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
Saturday, March 2
Nations and Rulers
Today we pray fornations and rulers – Switzerland and/or your home country if you come from elsewhere. Pray that leaders will seek godly wisdom to lead their nations with justice and righteousness. Pray they lead with integrity, keeping in mind the poor and disadvantaged, while respecting the freedom of religious expression.
I Tim. 1:1-2 – I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Sunday, March 3
A Morning Prayer
John Stott passed away several years ago. During his lifetime he was a deeply passionate follower of Jesus, dedicated biblical scholar, gifted teacher, and long-time pastor of All Soul’s Church in London. Every morning he would pray this prayer, or one very similar to it. This morning, let’s make this our prayer also. But let’s not simply pray the words. Rather, let’s enter into the prayer, really making this the prayer of our heart.
“Good morning, heavenly Father; good morning, Lord Jesus; good morning, Holy Spirit. Heavenly Father, I worship you as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. Lord Jesus, I worship you, Savior and Lord of the world. Holy Spirit, I worship you, Sanctifier of the people of God. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Heavenly Father, I pray that I may live this day in your presence and please you more and more. Lord Jesus, I pray that this day I may take up my cross and follow you. Holy Spirit, I pray that this day you will fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, three persons in one God, have mercy upon me. Amen.”