We can make a HUGE difference...right now!

I know that many folks no longer attend church as they've been unable to find one that teaches the Truth from God's Word, and others can't go because of their health. Yet I feel that we still can have a great deal of influence in the church, even though we can't attend one. We can do that, by praying for the churches in our area as well as the churches of pastors who have blessed us through their teachings, such as Pastor John MacArthur and Pastor Warren Wiersbe. (assuming they're still alive).

At my old church, I was part of a prayer ministry that would pray over the service each Sunday. We took turns so that we'd only miss one service every few weeks. When it was our turn, we'd go into a small prayer room and pray for the pastor, for the congregation as a whole, for individual members, those who couldn't make it to church that day, for the worship team, for the service itself, etc. We'd pray that God would open people's hearts and eyes to His Truth and that His Truth would be preached with power, received and applied by the congregation etc. We'd ask the Lord to protect the pastor and congregation from any disruptions and all sorts of things like that. Remembering that, made me realize that I could continue to do that even though I was no longer able to attend church myself, and I could pray for many of the churches in my area.

But, since I'm not attending any church regularly, how do I know they're teaching the truth? I don't. But the Lord pointed out to me that I didn't need to know that. Instead, I could pray that they would teach the truth and that they'd not fall prey to false teachings.

And so a couple of years ago, I began praying for a bunch of the churches in my area, plus a few other pastors and their churches, like MacArthur's and Wiersbe's. I like to pray God's Word whenever I can because it's so powerful, so I use a lot of scripture in my prayers. Besides, God's Word says exactly what I'd want for them anyway, so why not go with a sure thing?

The main scripture I began praying with was one of Paul's prayer requests, to which I added one of his mighty prayers:

Ephesians 6:19–20 —Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, *for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. *

Colossians 1:9–11 —For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. *And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, *being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, *

Because we know that pastors are especially targeted by Satan, and that the stronger they are in the Lord, the more they are harassed by Satan, I also ask the Lord to be a sheild around each of them, & each of their families, preventing Satan, his demons, and his children from interfering in their lives and ministries, harassing them, & from causing strife and division. I also ask Him to protect them all from the evil plans & desires of others & from unhealthy or dangerous situations.

Finally, knowing the times we live in and how many people need help, I also ask the Lord to be their provision so that they can in turn provide for the needs of others.

I wanted to share this idea with you guys, just because I think we could have a HUGE impact on the body of Christ and on more people being saved before the rapture, if more joined me in this endeavor.

I thought I'd just type my prayer as I pray it today, hoping it would encourage others to do so as well.

Father, I lift up to You, the body of Christ, and the various churches we attend. Specifically I lift up to you all my local churches, especially: Harvest Christian, New Hope, Trinity, New Wineskin, & Hope Nation, as well as Grace Community Church in California; & all their pastors: Pastor Joshua, Pastor John, Pastor Jeff, Pastor Rob, & Pastor Gabe, & Pastor MacArthur, & also Pastor Mills, & Pastor Wiersbe, asking that You keep all of them in your truth, guide them & inspire them; protect them from all false teaching and give them boldness to always speak your truth in love. I ask that You would fill them with the knowledge of Your will through all spiritual wisdom & understanding in order that they may live a life worthy of You & may please You in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, & being strengthened with all power according to Your glorious might.

Please defend all of them from all error, sin & evil, Keeping them from all false teaching. Lord, I also ask that You would be a shield around each of them, & their families, preventing Satan, his demons, and his children from interfering in their lives and ministries, harassing them, & from causing strife and division in their churches and lives. For we are aware of Satan's schemes and that he attacks those Pastors who are teaching the Truth. Please also protect them all from their evil plans & desires & from unhealthy or dangerous situations.

Help Your Pastors each continue to grow in Christ and to grow the members of their congregations up in Christ. I pray that You would enable them to preach with clarity making it easy for their congregations to understand your Word, and with passion, causing their congregants hearts to be set on fire in love for You. I pray that many would come to Christ and enter His Kingdom through their preaching, and that through their teaching, many will be prepared for the coming of our Lord to catch us up into the air with Him.

Please strengthen them, encourage them, and refresh them. Cause them to preach and teach only Your Truth & to never waver from it.

Please also be their provision so they can give to others in Your Name. Multiply all that they have so they never run out and they're able to provide freely and with great joy, for the needs and wants of all who come to them.

For the body of Christ I would ask that you would grant each of us a heart of love and passion for You and Your Word, & ears to hear what our pastors are teaching. I ask that you grant us each a great, overwhelming longing to always desire an ever closer, more personal relationship with You, and a greater understanding of Your Word so that we can all live lives worthy of Your calling.

I ask all of this that my Lord Jesus would receive the praise, honor and glory due His Awesome Name. Thank You Father! For it's in His Name I pray. Amen