If God Be For us. . . .

It is good to be reminded why we pray for fellow believers. The Christ's church is His dwelling place.

The church is "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Ephesians 2:20-22.

 "You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 2:5

I have written these out on page 62 of my journal. Below this are 3 sticky notes.

1) the elders of the church we attend with specific needs, 2) the women in my small group with specific needs, 3) the two churches where Steve served as a pastor.

Because I do not always know specific needs for those two churches, on the third note I have written: May they Exalt Christ and his word. May they Encourage Christ likeness in character and conduct. May they Engage their world with Gospel truth.

On pg. 62 and forward, I am writing out the prayers that Paul prays for believers. There is a list of these on page 210 in the journal.

Because there is extra room in the Crossway journal, I am adding quotes and songs about the church on pg 66 & 67 with the purpose of stirring my heart to pray!

"Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish." Eph. 5:25-27

" . . .on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matt. 16:18

"And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all." Eph. 1:22,23

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

Luke 12:32

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

Rom. 8:31

“The church acts as a sort of embassy for the government of the king. It is an outpost of the kingdom of God surrounded by the kingdom of darkness.” Kevin DeYoung.

“The church is the kingdom community existing in the already and the not yet, living out God’s eternal purpose of cosmic unity, all for God’s glory.” Christopher Morgan

Let it be said of us

That the Lord was our passion

That with gladness we bore

Every cross we were given

That we fought the good fight

That we finished our course

Knowing within us the power of the risen Lord

Let the cross be our glory

And the Lord be our song

By mercy made holy

By the Spirit made strong

Let the cross be our glory

And the Lord be our song

'Till the likeness of Jesus

Be through us made known

Let the cross be our glory

And the Lord be our song

Let it be said of us

We were marked by forgiveness

We were known by our love

And delighted in meekness

We were ruled by his peace

Heeding unity's call

Joined as one body

That Christ would be seen by all

-Steven Fry

Journal Resources: Thoughts about Prayers for the Household of Faith: