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“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life^[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it’” (Matthew 16:24-25). 

By its nature, the act of surrender is difficult. To our human minds, surrender can be processed as defeat or loss of control. Jesus made it plain to his disciples that a life in service to Him would involve a denial of self.

To live the very best life that God has planned for us (Romans 8:28), we must be willing to “wave the flag of surrender.” This process only starts when one accepts Christ as Savior and continues in the daily life of the believer.

The surrendered life will not be one that is problem free and perfect. Rather, the surrendered life is one willing to follow Christ through every problem, pain, or circumstance necessary so that His purpose is accomplished and glory revealed.

Prayer Directives

• Praise the Lord because the earth is His, along with everything in it, the world and all who dwell here. Ask Him to impress this truth on your heart, and to help you live accordingly (Psalm 24:1).
• Ask God for His mercy to help you to present your body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship (Romans 12:1).
• Acknowledge that your life is not your own, confess to the Lord any area where you have attempted to direct your steps apart from Him. Invite Him to be the Master of all areas of your life Jeremiah 10:23).
• Ask God for daily grace to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23-24).
• Ask the Lord to forgive you of seasons where you have pursued your own plans. Give any present decisions or situations to Him and trust that His purposes will prevail (Proverbs 19:21).
• Express to God your desire to humble yourself under His mighty hand. Admit areas where you might not fully be trusting in Him and commit them to Him so that when the time is right, He will exalt you (I Peter 5:6).
• Embrace the truth that you are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Share with God your desire to glorify Him in your body, mind, and soul (I Corinthians 6:20).

Download this prayer guide as a bulletin insert here. Let us know you are praying with us by using #COGOPprays on social media to share your requests, inspirations, and praise reports.

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24, 25 NIV).  

Throughout the New Testament, we find Scripture emphasizing the importance of local gatherings, or assemblies, of the people of God. It is in a local body that we find intimacy, commitment, accountability, and instruction that encourages “acts of love and good works” among fellow believers.  

God has called and ordained the local church to be a place where His people grow spiritually, hear the Word of God, receive biblical teaching, and are called into obedience (1 Timothy 4:13). 

The enemy would seek to undermine the ministry of the local church and disconnect believers from her protection and nurture. Throughout the month of July, we will unite to pray for our local congregations so that they may be useful to the Lord and make an impact in the lives of our congregations. 

Prayer Directives  

• Pray that your church would minister faithfully and proclaim the Gospel. (Matt. 28:19, 20) 
• Pray for your pastor as he/she shepherds the congregation. Pray that they have a servant’s heart, remain faithful to the call of God, learn of the Father’s ways, and preach truth plainly, honestly, and boldly. (2 Cor. 4:1; 1 Cor. 4:1-3) 
• Pray for the adults in your congregation. Pray that they fulfill every purpose God has for them by engaging in acts of service and walking with the Father daily. (Eph. 4:1; 2 Thes. 1:11) 
• Pray for the youth and children of the congregation. Pray that God’s purposes for their lives would also be fulfilled, that their ways pure, that they would declare His deeds, and that they would flee evil desires. (Matt. 18:3, 4; Prov. 20:11; 2 Tim. 2:22) 
• Pray for those involved in music and worship ministries. Pray that their praise would defeat the enemy, that they would be the true worshipers who worship in spirit and in truth. (Jn. 4:23, 24) 
• Pray for teachers engaged in local church ministry. Pray that they rightly divide the word of truth and teach with wisdom. Pray for illumination of God’s Word to share the deep things of God with courage. (2 Tim. 2:15; Col. 1:28) 
• Pray that your church would be a house of prayer, with a prayer ministry that is powerful and effective. (Mk. 11:17; 1 Tim. 2:1; Jas. 5:16) 
• Pray for revival in your local congregation. Ask that your church family be united with singleness of heart and action so that all will fear the Lord and follow His ways. (Ps. 85:6) 
• Pray that the Holy Spirit would reveal any way that your church is grieving, quenching, or resisting Him. (Eph. 4:30; 2 Cor. 3:17; Ro. 8:6) 
• Ask the Father to help your church understand the various gifts placed within it and how they work. Ask that these gifts would be used to serve others in love. (1 Cor. 12:4-7; 1 Pet. 4:10; 2 Tim. 1:6) 
• Pray that your church would love one another as a body and that the Father would give a spirit of unity. (1 Pet. 1:22; Ro. 15:5-7; Col. 3:14) 
• Pray that the members of your church would financially sow generously into your church without reluctance or compulsion. (2 Cor. 9:6-11; Mal. 3:10) 

 Download this prayer guide as a bulletin insert here. Let us know you are praying with us by using #COGOPprays on social media to share your requests, inspirations, and praise reports.

“I have one request, dear friends: Pray for me. Pray strenuously with and for me—to God the Father, through the power of our Master Jesus, through the love of the Spirit—that I will be delivered from the lions’ den of unbelievers in Judea.” Romans 15:30   

The words of Paul in this entire passage are so descriptive regarding the heart of a pastor. He is out pioneering churches, sharing the gospel with those who have never heard the good news, taking up offerings for the poor, and explaining to the church why he has not visited them as quickly as they had hoped he would.  

Those who are truly called to pastor never stop serving, giving, and searching out the needs around them. They fight persecution from those who are unsaved, and even from those whom they have served. Ephesians 6:18-20 calls us to pray at all times, to stay alert, and petition the Father on behalf of all the saints, and then there is a call for prayer by Paul himself for himself. This was a prayer that he would have boldness as he proclaims the gospel.  It is an obvious request to make supplication for those who declare truth around the world.  

Prayer Directives  

Here are some ways you can cover your local pastor in prayer: 

• Pray for wisdom (James 1:5)  
• Pray for strength and courage (1 Chronicles 28:20)  
• Pray for confidence and perseverance (Hebrews 10:35) 
• Pray for patience in difficult times (Romans 12:12) 
• Pray for their hope to remain (Psalm 42:11) 
• Pray for his study time to be productive (2 Timothy 2:15) 
• Pray for evidence of God’s presence in his ministry (2 Corinthians 2:9)  
• Pray for faithfulness to complete his work (Matthew 25:21)  
• Pray for him to have the mind of Christ in all things (1 Corinthians 2:16) 
• Pray for anointing (Luke 4:18a) 

Additional Prayer Resources  

Web:  

• Praying for Your Pastor Challenge – https://www.reviveourhearts.com 
• How To Pray for Your Pastor Or Your Spiritual Leader – http://myfaithfamily.com 
• The Six Best Things You Can Do For Your Pastor – strategicrenewal.com  

Print:  

• Praying with Smith Wigglesworth: Faith-Filled, Scriptural Prayers for Fervent Prayer Warriors, Smith Wigglesworth (Charisma Media, ISBN 9780884194446) 
• Praying for Your Pastor: How Your Prayer Support Is Their Life Support, Eddie Byun (InterVarsity Press, ISBN-13: 978-0830844661) 
• The Ministry of Intercession, Andrew Murray (ISBN-13: 978-1622453399) 

Download this prayer guide as a bulletin insert here. Let us know you are praying with us by using #COGOPprays on social media to share your requests, inspirations, and praise reports.

As we consider the current state of our world and the spiritual battles raging around us, we cannot deny that we desperately need revival. The urgency of the hour calls upon us to fervently cry out to God on behalf of our ourselves, our families, our communities, our nations, and the church.  

When revival came to the country of Wales in 1904, entire communities were shaken by the power of God as they were drawn together for times of united prayer. Ultimately, some 150,000 people came to Christ, as lives were transformed by the power of the Gospel and hearts rekindled with a passion for God. Throughout the revival, a key phrase that was often repeated in prayer and the pulpit was “bend the church and save the world.”  

We must ask the Father to bend the church and save the world, once again. We must understand our deep need to present ourselves to the Holy Spirit, asking that he prepare our hearts for revival, and bring us into alignments with His will as He pours His Spirit out on the earth in the last days. Only when we ask that He begin a refining work in us, will we see revival come to our homes, churches, and nations.  

British evangelist Gypsy Smith was once famously asked how to “start a revival.” His answer can help guide our prayers for revival in this day. “Go home, lock yourself in your room, kneel down in the middle of your floor” said Smith. “Draw a chalk mark all around yourself and ask God to start the revival inside that chalk mark. When He has answered your prayer, the revival will be on.” 

Prayer Directives 

Unite your prayers with us in seeking God for a fresh wind of revival. 

• Humbly call upon the Father, asking Him to forgive and heal us. Thank Him for His promise to do so (2 Chronicles 7:14). 
• Pray for those you know who have become weakened, lost, and fallen into fear, disbelief, and trouble, pleading for their restoration and healing (Psalm 138:7, 8 and 73:23–26, 28). 
• Ask God to send a refining fire to cleanse us of anything that is hinders His move. Name specific obstacles to revival and ask Him to crucify our sinful nature such as sexual immorality, idolatry, hatred, discord, jealousy, and harmful addictions of any type (Malachi 3:1–7; Titus 2:14; Galatians 5:21). 
• Ask the Father for a revival of His Word in our personal lives and the pulpits of our churches that would revive hearts and save wicked souls (Psalm 19:7).  
• Ask the Father to create in you a clean heart and renew your spirit as you depend on Him alone as the source of revival (Psalm 51:10). 
• Ask God to send a fresh anointing and renewed birth of the fruits of the Spirit in your life and the church (Galatians 5:22, 23). 
• Pray for the church to be filled with the presence of God’s Spirit. Pray that you would be filled with the Holy Spirit so that you will be empowered to be a witness and do His work (Ephesians 5:18). 
• Intercede for the lost, that they will be drawn out of spiritual darkness and find freedom in Christ (John 6:44).

Download this prayer guide as a bulletin insert here. Let us know you are praying with us by using #COGOPprays on social media to share your requests, inspirations, and praise reports.

One of the most powerful ways to pray for children is to use Scripture. Because the Bible is the living Word of God, you can pray His Word back to Him, interceding for your children and grandchildren about the very things that matter to God and impact your children emotionally, physically, and spiritually.  

PRAY FOR THINGS MENTIONED IN A VERSE:
Luke 2:52 “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” 

Pray for the child by name, asking that he or she will increase in wisdom (the mind), in stature (physically), in favor with God (spiritual), and in favor with man (social). 

FOCUS ON GOD’S DESIRES:
Matthew 18:14 “Your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.”
Pray for your child’s salvation based on God’s will for the child (see also 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; 3 John 1:4). 

INSERT CHILDREN’S NAMES INTO A VERSE:
Psalm 91:11 “He will command his angels concerning [names] to guard [them] in all [their] ways.” 

Prayer Directives 

• Pray for understanding and wisdom in bringing up your children (Proverbs 2:6). 
• Ask that your children be taught by the Lord and experience peace (Isaiah 54:13). 
• Pray that the power of the Gospel will change and fill the lives of children you know (Romans 1:16). 
• Pray that your child will be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger (James 1:19). 
• Pray that your child will learn to be content with what they have (Hebrews 13:5). 
• Pray that they not forget to do what is right and to share (Hebrews 13:16). 
• Ask that they grow in wisdom and in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:9-12). 
• Pray that they submit to their elders and show humility to one another (1 Peter 5:5). 
• Ask the Father to provide them peaceful sleep and safety throughout the day (Psalm 4:8). 
• Ask the God to rescue them from evil attacks and preserve them in their faith (2 Timothy 4:18). 
• Pray that they be enabled to be doers of the Word, and not hearers only (James 1:22) 
• Pray that they would learn to effectively share their faith (Philemon 1:6). 

Additional Prayer Resources 

• Praying Circles Around Your Children by Mark Batterson 
• Blessing Your Children by Jack Hayford 
• Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian 
• Prayers that Avail Much for Parents by Germain Copeland 

Download this prayer guide as a bulletin insert here. Let us know you are praying with us by using #COGOPprays on social media to share your requests, inspirations, and praise reports.

2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.  

Prayers for the salvation of loved ones carry great power because they are in agreement with God’s passion to save all those who are lost. To us, they are sons, daughters, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, moms, and dads. God knows them even more personally. Though one’s heart may seem far from salvation, God’s presence to save is near to them. Regardless of the darkness surrounding their life, the best thing you can do for your loved ones is to pray for their salvation.  

PRAYER DIRECTIVES 

• Pray that your loved one will understand their need for the Savior (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23) 
• Pray for their eyes to be opened to the truth of God’s love and salvation (Acts 26:18; 2 Corinthians 3:16)
• Pray that the light of Jesus Christ will shine into your loved one’s heart (2 Corinthians 4:6) 
• Pray with repentance of your own sin and the sins of generations before you that may have influenced your loved one in their choices (Daniel 9:20) 
• Pray for the oppressed in your family to be set free (Isaiah 58:6) 
• Pray for and opportunity and boldness of the Spirit to share the life-changing gospel (Acts 4:31) 
• Pray praise God with the assurance that it is God’s desire to save your loved one (Luke 19:10; Romans 10:1; 1 Timothy 2:4) 

ADDITIONAL PRAYER RESOURCES: 

• How to Pray for Lost Loved Ones, by Dutch Sheets (Published by Regal Books, ISBN: 0739419676) 
• Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough, by Elmer L. Towns (Published by Regal Books, ISBN: 0830718397) – There is a great chapter here about fasting with a directive to win others to Christ. 

Download this prayer guide as a bulletin insert here. Let us know you are praying with us by using #COGOPprays on social media to share your requests, inspirations, and praise reports.

Tragedy, trials, turmoil, and sorrow enter the life of every believer. We know this because Jesus said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrow” (John 16:33 NLT). 

Thankfully, God’s Word reminds us that we are not alone in difficult times (Isaiah 41:10) and we are assured that any trial that tests our faith is used by God to lead to spiritual wholeness (James 1:3-4). So what do we do when we lack the faith to withstand?  

Philippians 4:6-7 provides us with one excellent starting point. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6, 7 NLT). 

When life becomes difficult, as we are assured it most certainly will, we have an opportunity to see God work not only in our situation but also in building our personal faith. As we give our situation to God, which is often the hardest part, He gives us that ability to stand and endure the most difficult of times. 

Prayer Directives 

• Thank the Father for His presence that is with you even in the middle of difficult times. Praise Him for the strength and help that He has promised to you (Isaiah 41:10). 
• Give thanks that the Lord is your refuge in this time of trouble and declare your trust in Him (Psalm 9:9, 10). 
• Acknowledge your desperate need for God. Share specifically about your situation and release it entirely to the Father (Psalm 9:10, 34:17, 50:15, 145:18, 19; James 5:13–16) 
• Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and discernment concerning your situation. Surrender every reaction and response to Him as He does so (James 1:5). 
• Ask the Holy Spirit to give you an abiding peace (John 16:33). 
• With thanksgiving and expectancy, continue praying over every aspect of your situation asking the Father to guard your heart and mind (Philippians 4:6, 7). 
• Ask the Father to give you new ways to connect with the body of Christ and serve in the middle of your difficulties (1 Peter 5:7). 

Download this prayer guide as a bulletin insert here. Let us know you are praying with us by using #COGOPprays on social media to share your requests, inspirations, and praise reports.