Follow Jesus. Lead the church. Change the world.
The Church needs to give up control and let God be in charge. It’s his Church after all. I read a prayer in The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson (see 5 Takeaways From “The Circle Maker”), which has stuck with me ever since I read it: “Lord, do something unpredictable and uncontrollable.” It’s a scary … Read more
The Church needs patience and persistence! I invite you to pray with me for the Church as I continue my way through a series of prayer posts. See links to previous prayers below. The Church needs patience because it usually takes time to experience transformation. It takes time to lead transformation and to shape (or … Read more
The Church needs to stay humble and hungry! I’m in the midst of a long series, posting prayers for the Church (see links to previous prayers below). I’m not sure when this series will end, but in the meantime, I invite you to pray with me for the Church! A couple of months ago, Mark … Read more
Recently, I was preparing a sermon about Ananias and Barnabas, those unsung heroes who played a major role in the Apostle Paul’s life (he was Saul, at the time). I was particularly struck by Jesus’ description of Paul’s call to ministry. God sent Ananias to search for Saul, the persecutor of the Church, who was … Read more
The Church needs provision for the vision! I’m nearing the end of a series of posts, offering prayers for the Church on different topics (see links below). I invite you to pray with me for the Church for the sake of the world God loves so much! God has given the Church its mission–to make … Read more
The Church needs vision! I’m nearing the end of a lengthy series of posts, offering prayers for the Church focusing on different areas (see list and links below). According to Bill Hybels, “Vision is a picture of the future that produces passion” (see my post on Hybels’ book, Courageous Leadership). Hybels calls vision “a leader’s … Read more
As I look back over the past twenty-five years of following Jesus, clearly my greatest passion has been God’s mission — engaging in it and leading others to engage in it, too! I’ve always been challenged by Jesus’ first words after the resurrection: “As the Father sent me, so I am sending you!” (John 20.21, … Read more
The Church needs courage! This is another prayer in a series of prayers I’m writing for the Church, each focused on a different area. I’ve lifted up a number of areas, so far (see list and links below). I often find myself asking God for courage. It’s a requirement for both discipleship (following Jesus ) … Read more
The Church needs discipline! I’ve been writing a series of prayers for the Church, each focused on a different area over the last several weeks. I’ve lifted up a number of areas already (see list and links below). Discipline isn’t always thought of in a positive light, but it’s necessary for the Church. Discipline was … Read more
The Church needs to trust God! I have been writing a series of prayers for the Church, offering a prayer with a different focus each week. It’s been a few months since my last prayer in this series, and I have a few more I want to write. So far, I’ve prayed for awakening, transformational … Read more