Grace Toronto. A church for the city in the city. Get to know us.

Prayer for the City & Church: Jan 3-9

January 3rd, 2011 by Stephanie

As we start a new year, may God prompt in us a deeper desire to spend this year talking to Him and hearing from Him as we spend time in prayer each week.  This week’s prayer focus is on the new start of our year and how God can use this time of renewal in both our city and church.

Prayer for the City:

• That this year would be a year of spiritual openness in our city towards the Lord and towards upholding His standards of justice, mercy and love in our city.
• That the recent time spent with family and friends and reaching out to those in need would not disappear with the holiday season, but would prompt our city to continued action and commitment to caring for those around us and those in need.
• That the busyness of resuming work, school, weekly activities, etc. would not consume our culture into self-centeredness and greed, but instead would make us aware of our weaknesses and our need for others in our lives to encourage and support us.

Prayer for the Church:

-That this year would be an opportunity for personal growth and for an increased desire to live missionally among our city.

• In our Grace Gatherings—for the continuation of both Biblical understanding and intimate, transparent relationships to develop among the groups.
• In our areas of service—that our service would stem from a joyful attitude of the heart and would be for the Lord and not to please others.
• In our personal times with the Lord—that we would establish these as a non-negotiable priority and that we would ask the Holy Spirit to stir up an unquenchable desire for the Lord on a regular basis.
• In our personal choices—that we would live well-balanced lives and be a good steward of our time, talents and treasures.
• In our relationships with skeptics, seekers—that we would purpose to make 2011 a year of being more intentionally focused on sharing Christ with those around us that do not yet know Him.

Praise the Lord!

• For what He blessed you with over the Christmas season (rest, energy, refreshment, time with family, friends, etc.)
• For the opportunity to put the past behind us and use this year for His glory and our joy.
• For His faithfulness, care, provision and love for us even when we reject and abandon Him.
• For always doing ‘new things’ in our lives.

‘Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.’  (Isaiah 43:18-19, 25)