Partners In Prayer For The
Ukiah Bible Church
NOVEMBER
Introduction:

Our purpose and how to use the Scriptures to pray

Our desire is to create partnerships in the ministry of prayer for our church.  The purpose of this ministry is to unite the members of our congregation around the throne of God each week with a special theme for prayer.  The manner in which this takes place is simple; each partnership determines the time, location or means of connecting for prayer.  

One of the most effective ways of praying is to use Scriptures in conjunction with one’s conversations with God.  When one does this, the Spirit of God will use the Scriptures to help you align your prayers with His priorities, thus effectively conforming your prayers with what pleases Him.  One noted prayer Warrior said, “The Spirit rides best in His own chariot and His chariot is the word of God.” For this reason, along with each theme you will find Scriptures that relate to those themes.  If you will read the passages from your Bible before you pray and consider the context in which you find them, you will discover a source of words and ideas that will help your prayers align with God’s Word and thus, enhance your experience and accomplish much.

James 5:16, “…The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”

Our theme for the next few months includes aspects of suffering that our fellow believers may be facing. Suffering can be physical, emotional, spiritual, relational, and often impacts all spheres of life. Paul writes, “we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:23). As those who wait and groan in this broken world, it is important to acknowledge both our suffering in this world, and the hope of Christ in it. This hope not only points us to a certain future where we will be with our Lord, but anchors us in the midst of everyday difficulties.

This month we will focus on physical suffering and the impact of illness, pain, and isolation. Some of our brothers and sisters navigate various sicknesses, chronic pain, or difficult diagnoses. These trials can affect both body and soul. As fellow saints at Ukiah Bible Church, we want to tune our hearts to be aware of and sensitive to these particular needs.

Week of the 4th—

• Ask the Lord to provide peace and grace for those dealing with difficult diagnoses. While it can be a gift to have clear language over what is happening in the body, diagnoses may leave saints with more questions than answers. Pray that God would be a firm refuge and kind Shepherd in this difficult time. “When I am afraid, I will trust in you” (Psalm 56:3). “If the Lord had not been my helper, I would soon rest in the silence of death. If I say, “My foot is slipping,” your faithful love will support me, Lord. When I am filled with cares, your comfort brings me joy” (Psalm 94:17–19).

• Ask God to help those who face physical pain or ailments with no clear answers. It can be disheartening to experience physical suffering and have little clarity around why. In the confusion and pain, pray that these saints would find rest in Jesus who knows all things and loves His suffering sheep. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27). “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” (Lamentations 3:22–25)

• Pray for those who are grappling with declining health and perhaps the approach of physical death. “So teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them” (Psalm 139:16). “When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written; “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:54–55).

Week of the 11th—

• Ask God for divine grace for those experiencing the challenges of growing older. Many believers grapple with the reality of aging, processing increasing limitations and weariness. Seek God’s care and comfort for these dear saints as they find their hope and strength in Jesus in their twilight years. “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:28–31).

• Pray for those caregiving for loved ones dealing with physical suffering. While it is a joy to serve, many caregivers find themselves burdened or burnt out. Ask God that caregivers would find joy and refreshment in Him, as well as daily strength for the sacrifices of each new day. “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us” (Psalm 62:8). “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives…” (1 John 3:16).

• Pray for those who struggle practically and/or financially because of physical ailments. Pray that God would give our church eyes to see and energy to move forward and meet practical needs in order to be the hands and feet of Jesus. “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality” (Romans 12:13). “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:14–17).

Week of the 18th—

• Pray for those who feel isolated in their pain and perhaps feel limited in their capacity to participate in church community. Likewise, pray that the church body would endeavor to serve and pursue those in the margins of our community life. “The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together” (1 Corinthians 12:21–26).

• Ask the Lord to help those who feel anger and sadness over their physical suffering. Pray that God would give grace for these saints to grieve before the throne of God and to find grace and comfort with Him. “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14–16).

Week of the 25th—

• Pray for wisdom for those facing decision-making in their suffering. Pray that reliance on God’s will and leading would guide these saints to take next steps or perhaps seek help as they move forward. Pray for courage and trust in God’s care and sovereignty as they look to an uncertain future.  “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:8). “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6).

• Ask God to provide perseverance for those dealing with chronic and ongoing health issues. Pray that the Lord would guard these saints and comfort them as they bear the daily burden of chronic illness. “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Peter 5:10). “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).

• Ask the Lord to help suffering saints to see ways they may be able to minister to others, even in weakness. Pray that God would empower them by His Spirit to share comfort and encouragement with others navigating trials. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too” (2 Corinthians 1:3–5).