How to pray for the Church

With more than 30,000 denominations in the world, we have plenty of opportunity to pray.  This can be so overwhelming we don’t even know where to start.  Wow, have I felt that a lot.

Jesus prayed that we would be one, even as He and his Father are one.  Sometimes I think, “My goodness, talk about a prayer that didn’t get answered, or at least it doesn’t look like it very often.”

When I think about all the churches and pastors in my tiny sphere I pray two prayers over them:

First, the Apostles’ Creed.

For example, today in the Daily Office that I frequently follow we were directed to pray for the Church of the Province of Central Africa. I don’t know anything about this fellowship so I merely thought about these believers in this area of the world and prayed the Apostles’ Creed over them. 

Like this: “Father, may the believers in these churches in central Africa believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. May they believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only son. … .”

Second, I pray the prayer for the Church from the Daily office.  I’ve pasted it below.  You can pray this short prayer for your specific church.  You and I already know that if we find the perfect church to not join it, we’ll ruin it.  We already know the main problem with the Church is you and I.  Right? 🙂  So what are we going to do about it?  Well, how about stepping down from our seat of judgment and humbly praying for our church using this prayer…

Gracious Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen. 

What do you think about this kind of praying?