PRAYER POINTS JUNE-SEPTEMBER, 2014
.ORG/PRAYER
Dear Church, Summer time is here! For a family, the summer time comes with a sigh of relief as the school year has ended. All of us know what its like to end a major project and have a time of rest. It’s a necessary part of the way God operates too. As an example to us, God created for six days and then He rested. What? Did God get tired? Did He grow weary from all that energy it must have taken to speak the universe into existence? Absolutely not! The Bible tells us that God is not like man and He does not grow weary (Isaiah 40:28). Jesus explains further in Mark 2 that the Sabbath was created for us. It was made so that we’d have a weekly time of reflecting on and worshipping God. The rhythm of rest is especially critical in our busy culture here in the United States. Likewise, we should follow God’s example, and hopefully, no matter if you have a family or not, you will build rhythms of rest into your summer. This prayer guide is to help you do that. In it you will find events to pray for, people to pray for, and personal prayer growth points. I pray that you will use this tool to grow in your prayer life this summer. Blessings! James Roberts Minister of Global Missions & Evangelism
JOIN A PRAYER GROUP ◊◊ GAPS (Growing a Praying Shandon) Weekly, Wednesdays at 6:35pm in room B202 ◊◊ Sunday Morning Prayer Team Weekly, Sundays at 8:30-8:45am in room B129 ◊◊ Kids Prayer Team Weekly during the school year, Wednesdays at 6:45pm in room B103 (The Zone) ◊◊ Men’s Prayer Breakfast Weekly, Mondays at 7am at the Lizard’s Thicket on Beltline Blvd.
JOIN OUR ONLINE PRAYER MINISTRY Shandon has a great, easy way to pray for your fellow church members. It’s accessible, up-to-date, and just plain cool. If you are interested in serving your church through prayer, sign up today by contacting James Roberts: (803) 782-1300 ext. 200 or email
[email protected].
USE OUR 24-HOUR PRAYER ROOM Shandon has a 24-hour prayer room. With secret codes to open doors, touch screen computers and 24-hour access, you can feel like a secret prayer agent.
JUNE The second shortest verse in the Bible is 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “pray without ceasing.” Often as a pastor, I’ve received the question, “How do I pray without ceasing?” For the Christian, prayer is an expression of our unbroken relationship with Christ. Because of the cross, we no longer have to fear God, but we are 100% accepted by him. You don’t have to do anything more to be pleasing in His sight. If you did, then the cross would have not been enough. Therefore, this verse is not about actually praying 24/7. In Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, the author writes that praying without ceasing is like communicating with God on one phone line while taking calls on another. Our prayer lives should be characterized by constant communication with God with recurring interruptions. So don’t feel guilty that you can’t talk to God while working. That’s the Enemy trying to discourage you. In between work or any other thing you’re doing, take time to worship Jesus, thank Jesus, and ask Jesus.
//////////////////////// JUNE 2-8 //////////////////////
MONDAY
◊◊ Pray for our Worship Ministry.
TUESDAY
◊◊ Pray for Dr. Lincoln and his family.
WEDNESDAY
◊◊ Thank God for the blessings in your life.
THURSDAY
◊◊ Pray that the gospel would go to all the people groups and nations of the world.
FRIDAY
◊◊ Pray for our Children’s Minister, Mimi Brookshire, and our children’s coordinators Dawn Turner, Christen Reed, Ashley Reid, and Leslee Tavenner as they prepare for VBS this month.
SATURDAY
◊◊ Pray for the families of our church that the parents would be the primary faith trainers of their children.
SUNDAY
◊◊ Spend this time in prayer simply praising the names of Jesus. He is the Lord of Lords, King of Kings, the Prince of Peace, and the Alpha and Omega. For more names, visit shandon.org/prayer.
WHAT HAS GOD SHOWN YOU IN PRAYER THIS WEEK?
////////////////////// JUNE 9-15 //////////////////////
MONDAY
◊◊ Pray for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done in your life, the life of your family, at your work, and in your home as it’s done in heaven.
TUESDAY
◊◊ Pray for our Missions Ministry.
WEDNESDAY
◊◊ Pray for our Executive Pastor, Brandon Petersen, and his family.
THURSDAY
◊◊ Thank God for gift of the Bible He has given to us.
FRIDAY
◊◊ Ask God to open the heavens of blessing upon those working as missionaries around our nation and world.
SATURDAY
◊◊ Pray for Dacey Bell, our Orchestra Director, and his family.
SUNDAY
◊◊ Pray for Dr. Lincoln’s message and the worship service as we seek to glorify God this morning.
WHAT HAS GOD SHOWN YOU IN PRAYER THIS WEEK?
////////////////////// JUNE 16-22 /////////////////////
MONDAY
◊◊ Ask the Holy Spirit to encourage and challenge the members of our church to be living examples of Jesus Christ to a dying world.
TUESDAY
◊◊ Ask God for His daily provision in your life. We can get comfortable and not think about how amazing it is to have a pantry full of food. This prayer reminds us that God is the one who provides daily.
WEDNESDAY
◊◊ Pray for our Singles Ministry to reach unchurched single adults in Columbia.
THURSDAY
◊◊ Pray for James Bagwell, our Director of Finance and Administration, and his family.
FRIDAY
◊◊ Thank God for giving us the Holy Spirit.
SATURDAY
◊◊ Ask God that He would create in you a servant’s heart.
SUNDAY
◊◊ Pray for Sally Tackett, our Worship Arts Center Director, and her family.
WHAT HAS GOD SHOWN YOU IN PRAYER THIS WEEK?
////////////////////// JUNE 23-29 /////////////////////
MONDAY
◊◊ Pray for our Vacation Bible School that starts today!
TUESDAY
◊◊ Pray for the families of our church that the parents would be the primary faith trainers of their children.
WEDNESDAY
◊◊ Ask God’s forgiveness of your sins that you have not confessed yet. He will forgive us as we forgive those who’ve sinned against us. A sign of a new heart is one that offers forgiveness no matter the circumstances.
THURSDAY
◊◊ Pray for our Student Ministry.
FRIDAY
◊◊ Pray for Mimi Brookshire, our Children’s Minister, and her family.
SATURDAY
◊◊ Thank God for always hearing our prayers.
SUNDAY
◊◊ Ask God to open wide highways so that the gospel can get to the hard places on our planet. Often, an unreached people group is unreached, because they are hard to get to.
WHAT HAS GOD SHOWN YOU IN PRAYER THIS WEEK?
JULY Instead of going to school, the lower class children in India have to work to help support their families. When my wife, Emily, and I were serving as missionaries in New Delhi, the children closest to our neighborhood would walk up and down the traffic lanes at stop lights selling all kinds of things. During the spring, we would smell the scent of fresh jasmine as little hands and big smiles sold their floral necklaces. The children would look at me and say, “You want jasmine, uncle? Only 10 rupees!” The wonderful scent was a welcomed break from the putrid smells a city of over 16 million people often had. When we moved into our first house in Texas, I planted my first jasmine vine, a familiar scent that we had grown to love so much. The first year after I planted the jasmine, it only consisted of just four small branches. It looked very puny compared to the large trellis I had prepared for it. In fact, it looked downright pathetic. But over the next two years, I had to cut back, prune, and reposition the crawling branches that had grown to over 30 in number so that the branches would grow the way I had envisioned. After two years of work, the star jasmine finally bloomed and covered what it was originally intended to cover. Yes, there will always still need to be pruning. In fact, the more mature the plant grows, the more pruning is needed. I learn so much about spiritual things from gardening. I know that God is constantly pruning me to be what he intends me to be. After I became a follower of Christ, I was a tiny new growth in God’s kingdom—like my jasmine plant was just a few years ago. As I’ve grown wild in some areas (more than I’d like to admit), God has pruned me back. Each year and as time passes, I continue to take the image of my Savior. I’m not my own vine, but I’m connected to Him. I’m only a small branch compared to the True Vine, and I’m thankful for the patience of the perfect Gardener who takes time with me.
////////////////////// JUNE 30-JULY 6 ////////////////////
MONDAY
◊◊ Pray for all our administrative assistants.
TUESDAY
◊◊ Spend time today simply praising God for the great things He’s done in your life.
WEDNESDAY
◊◊ Pray that God would strengthen the saints of our church to reach the people in their circles with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
THURSDAY
◊◊ Pray that God not lead you into temptation. God is not the one who tempts, but he does allow it in our lives to strengthen our faith and discipline.
FRIDAY
◊◊ Pray for our 60+ Adult Ministry.
SATURDAY
◊◊ Pray for Andrew Carr, our Modern Worship Leader, and his family.
SUNDAY
◊◊ Thank God for sending Jesus to bring us salvation.
WHAT HAS GOD SHOWN YOU IN PRAYER THIS WEEK?
////////////////////// JULY 7-13 //////////////////////
MONDAY
◊◊ Pray that God would open hearts of unbelievers to receive the gospel.
TUESDAY
◊◊ Ask God to give you a chance to interact with a first-time guest this Sunday, and invite them to your Sunday School class.
WEDNESDAY
◊◊ Pray for the Student Ministry’s mission trip to Johnson City, Tennessee.
THURSDAY
◊◊ Spend this time in prayer simply praising the names of Jesus. He is the Lord of Lords, King of Kings, the Prince of Peace, and the Alpha and Omega. For more names go to shandon.org/prayer.
FRIDAY
◊◊ Pray for the families of our church that the parents would be the primary faith trainers of their children.
SATURDAY
◊◊ Pray for our Counseling Ministry.
SUNDAY
◊◊ Pray for Barry Gray, our Associate Pastor, and his family.
WHAT HAS GOD SHOWN YOU IN PRAYER THIS WEEK?
////////////////////// JULY 14-20 /////////////////////
MONDAY
◊◊ Thank God for our country where we can freely worship Him.
TUESDAY
◊◊ Pray that God would bless our mission work being done in Indonesia.
WEDNESDAY
◊◊ Pray for tonight’s Pastor’s Bible Study that people would hear the word of God and respond appropriately to it.
THURSDAY
◊◊ Pray that your heart would be sensitive to how God is leading you today.
FRIDAY
◊◊ Pray that God would strengthen the saints of our church to reach the people in their circles with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
SATURDAY
◊◊ Pray for the Student Ministry mission trip to Nicaragua this week.
SUNDAY
◊◊ Pray for our Business Office staff today.
WHAT HAS GOD SHOWN YOU IN PRAYER THIS WEEK?
////////////////////// JULY 21-27 /////////////////////
MONDAY
◊◊ Pray for Scott Lee, our Minister of Music and Worship Arts, and his family.
TUESDAY
◊◊ Thank God for the provision of our basic necessities like food, water and shelter.
WEDNESDAY
◊◊ Pray that God would bless our mission work being done in London.
THURSDAY
◊◊ Pray for our children’s ministry event called Camp in the City. Ask God to create new life in the lives of children who are lost.
FRIDAY
◊◊ Pray that God would grow godly men here at Shandon.
SATURDAY
◊◊ Ask the Holy Spirit to encourage and challenge the members of our church to be living examples of Jesus Christ to a dying world.
SUNDAY
◊◊ Pray for Dr. Lincoln’s message and the worship service as we seek to glorify God this morning.
WHAT HAS GOD SHOWN YOU IN PRAYER THIS WEEK?
//////////////////// JULY 28-AUGUST 3 ///////////////////
MONDAY
◊◊ Pray for those who serve our church as ushers and greeters.
TUESDAY
◊◊ Pray for Chad Moore, our Middle School Minister, and his family.
WEDNESDAY
◊◊ Thank God for the discipline He gives. God loves those whom He disciplines (Hebrews 12:6).
THURSDAY
◊◊ Pray that God would bless our mission work being done in Nicaragua.
FRIDAY
◊◊ Pray for the pastor’s wives today.
SATURDAY
◊◊ Pray for the families of our church that the parents would be the primary faith trainers of their children.
SUNDAY
◊◊ Pray for Dr. Lincoln’s message and the worship service as we seek to glorify God this morning.
WHAT HAS GOD SHOWN YOU IN PRAYER THIS WEEK?
AUGUST How do we glorify God? One way we do that is by bearing much fruit (John 15:8). The question that follows is, “How do I bear much fruit?” Bearing fruit in a Christian’s life isn’t about how to grow apples out of your arms. Instead, it’s about dying to the old self and putting on the new self. To do this, we must be connected to the source of life on a daily basis. Where’s that connection found? It’s found in the person who rescued you in the first place…Jesus Christ. John 15 is a wonderful chapter that teaches about abiding in Christ. It is by abiding in Christ where we bear fruit. It is by abiding in Christ that we glorify God and bear much fruit. If you’re not abiding in Christ, you’re not bearing fruit. It’s that simple. Abide in Jesus this month by praying without ceasing (look at June’s opener), worshipping Him throughout the day, and reading the Bible.
/////////////////////// AUGUST 4-10 /////////////////////
MONDAY
◊◊ Pray that God would strengthen the saints of our church to reach the people in their circles with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
TUESDAY
◊◊ Pray for our Adult Ministry.
WEDNESDAY
◊◊ Pray for Renae Nicholes, our Communications Director, and her family.
THURSDAY
◊◊ Thank God for the blessing of changing seasons as we look forward to the fall ahead.
FRIDAY
◊◊ Pray that God would open new partnerships with unreached people groups around the globe.
SATURDAY
◊◊ Pray for our Children and Sttudent Ministries as the ramp up for the new school year.
SUNDAY
◊◊ Pray for Dr. Lincoln’s message and the worship service as we seek to glorify God this morning.
WHAT HAS GOD SHOWN YOU IN PRAYER THIS WEEK?
////////////////////// AUGUST 11-17 /////////////////////
MONDAY
◊◊ Ask God to give you a more compassionate and loving heart.
TUESDAY
◊◊ Praise King Jesus today!
WEDNESDAY
◊◊ Pray for our Media and TechArts Ministry.
THURSDAY
◊◊ Pray for George Phillips, our Operations Manager, and his family.
FRIDAY
◊◊ Thank God for the beauty of His creation.
SATURDAY
◊◊ Pray for those around the world who need justice.
SUNDAY
◊◊ Pray for Dr. Lincoln’s message and the worship service as we seek to glorify God this morning.
WHAT HAS GOD SHOWN YOU IN PRAYER THIS WEEK?
///////////////////// AUGUST 18-24 //////////////////////
MONDAY
◊◊ Ask the Holy Spirit to encourage and challenge the members of our church to be living examples of Jesus Christ to a dying world.
TUESDAY
◊◊ Pray for the families of our church that the parents would be the primary faith trainers of their children.
WEDNESDAY
◊◊ Pray for all the administrative assistants who work at Shandon. They are so very helpful!
THURSDAY
◊◊ Pray for our College Ministry.
FRIDAY
◊◊ Pray for Giles Phillips, our IT Director, and his family.
SATURDAY
◊◊ Thank God for rescuing those who can’t rescue themselves.
SUNDAY
◊◊ Pray for millions of people around our globe who will go to bed hungry.
WHAT HAS GOD SHOWN YOU IN PRAYER THIS WEEK?
/////////////////////// AUGUST 25-31 ////////////////////
MONDAY
◊◊ Pray that God would strengthen the saints of our church to reach the people in their circles with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
TUESDAY
◊◊ Pray for our ministers and their wives and families.
WEDNESDAY
◊◊ Praise King Jesus today!
THURSDAY
◊◊ Spend this time in prayer simply praising the names of Jesus. He is the Lord of Lords, King of Kings, the Prince of Peace, and the Alpha and Omega. For more names go to shandon.org/prayer.
FRIDAY
◊◊ Pray our church would have a heart to tell their neighbors about the gospel.
SATURDAY
◊◊ Pray for James Roberts, our Minister of Global Missions and Evangelism, and his family.
SUNDAY
◊◊ Thank God for the new beginnings He gives us.
WHAT HAS GOD SHOWN YOU IN PRAYER THIS WEEK?
SEPTEMBER This verse from John 16 blew me away the first time I read it: “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7). Are you kidding me? What could be better or more helpful than Jesus? Simply put, the Holy Spirit gives us an advantage. For a long time, I would think about how my walk with God would be so much easier if Jesus were with me 24/7. I could walk with Him, ask questions, learn, etc. To me, it seemed like the perfect life. After reading that verse, my perspective changed. The Holy Spirit enables us to live the life God desires for us, because it is literally God living in us. We’ve been set free from the chains of sin and guilt. The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts like prophecy, administration, and spiritual wisdom just to name a few. He also guides us into all truth so we can know the true gospel a part from a false one. I challenge you this month to think and meditate on the difference it makes that you have the Holy Spirit in you. Ask Him to help you pray as you should, and watch God do amazing things!
//////////////////// SEPTEMBER 1-7 /////////////////////
MONDAY
◊◊ Pray that those being persecuted for their faith would be a witness to the ones persecuting them.
TUESDAY
◊◊ Pray for the orphans and widows around the world that God would care for them.
WEDNESDAY
◊◊ Pray for the families of our church that the parents would be the primary faith trainers of their children.
THURSDAY
◊◊ Pray for God to show you how to live out The Power of One this month.
FRIDAY
◊◊ Ask the Holy Spirit to encourage and challenge the members of our church to be living examples of Jesus Christ to a dying world.
SATURDAY
◊◊ Pray our church would be known as a place where everyone is welcome.
SUNDAY
◊◊ Pray for Frank Shimkus, our Student Minister, and his family.
WHAT HAS GOD SHOWN YOU IN PRAYER THIS WEEK?
///////////////////// SEPTEMBER 8-14 ////////////////////
MONDAY
◊◊ Thank God for providing friendships in your life.
TUESDAY
◊◊ Pray for our church plant partner in Chicago, Mosaic Church, and their pastor Scott Venable.
WEDNESDAY
◊◊ Ask for God to search your heart and reveal anything within you that is sinful. Then, repent of those sins.
THURSDAY
◊◊ Pray that God would strengthen the saints of our church to reach the people in their circles with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
FRIDAY
◊◊ Pray that God would grow godly men here at Shandon.
SATURDAY
◊◊ Spend this time in prayer simply praising the names of Jesus. He is the Lord of Lords, King of Kings, the Prince of Peace, and the Alpha and Omega. For more names go to shandon.org/prayer.
SUNDAY
◊◊ Pray that we would see people’s lives changed by the gospel this week.
WHAT HAS GOD SHOWN YOU IN PRAYER THIS WEEK?
//////////////////// SEPTEMBER 15-21 ////////////////////
MONDAY
◊◊ Pray for Clay Smith, our Minister of Adults, and his family.
TUESDAY
◊◊ Thank God for the blessing of family in your life.
WEDNESDAY
◊◊ Pray for our church plant parnter in Charleston, Awaken Church, and their pastor Brandon Bowers.
THURSDAY
◊◊ Ask the Holy Spirit to encourage and challenge the members of our church to be living examples of Jesus Christ to a dying world.
FRIDAY
◊◊ Pray for the families of our church that the parents would be the primary faith trainers of their children.
SATURDAY
◊◊ Pray for our annual LoveLoud Churchwide workday as we serve Columbia with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
SUNDAY
◊◊ Pray for Dr. Lincoln’s message and the worship service as we seek to glorify God this morning.
WHAT HAS GOD SHOWN YOU IN PRAYER THIS WEEK?
//////////////////// SEPTEMBER 22-30 ////////////////////
MONDAY
◊◊ Pray that our church would partner strategically with people and organizations that are kingdom-minded.
TUESDAY
◊◊ Pray for David Taylor, our College Minister, and his family.
WEDNESDAY
◊◊ Thank God for our church home and the freedom to worship here.
THURSDAY
◊◊ Pray for church leaders and planters around our nation.
FRIDAY
◊◊ Pray that God would strengthen the saints of our church to reach the people in their circles with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
SATURDAY
◊◊ Pray for the families of our church that the parents would be the primary faith trainers of their children.
SUNDAY ◊◊ Pray for our choir and orchestra members.
MONDAY
◊◊ Pray for Jerry Long, our Minister of 60+ Adults and Local Missions, and his family.
TUESDAY
◊◊ Thank God for the Christian fellowship you experience that is so vital to your spiritual growth.
////////////////////// OCTOBER 1-7 //////////////////////
MONDAY
◊◊ Pray that God will burden your heart to desire God’s Word in your life on a daily basis.
TUESDAY
◊◊ Pray for our Modern Worship band and that God will use them to grow believers and reach the lost.
WEDNESDAY
◊◊ Ask God to bless the Youth Ministry and for the Spirit to move powerfully tonight during youth worship.
THURSDAY
◊◊ Pray that God will continue to bless our Thursday morning men’s Bible study.
FRIDAY
◊◊ Thank God for all of his answered prayer in your life.
SATURDAY
◊◊ Today spend time in prayer for Sunday at Shandon. Pray specifically for Pastor Lincoln, our Worship Team, Sunday School teachers, and visitors.
SUNDAY
◊◊ Pray that you apply what God’s Word reveals to you today.
WHAT HAS GOD SHOWN YOU IN PRAYER THIS WEEK?
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////
A PUBLICATION OF
SHANDON BAPTIST CHURCH
5250 Forest Drive Columbia, SC | shandon.org | 24-HOUR PRAYER LINE: (803) 790-AMEN
