Dear Lord,

Thank You for the gift of ‘Body life’! I am so grateful that You chose to create Your people for fellowship and in order that we may grow in grace, mercy, forgiveness, and understanding of You and Your sacrificial, unconditional love for us. May our primary purpose in going to church be to worship You; may our focus not be upon whether we are pleased, but whether You are pleased. Help me to remember that attending church is not about my preferences and what I ‘get’ from the worship, teaching or any other aspects of the service, but it is all about You. Thank You for the opportunity you give to me to demonstrate my love for You by supporting and coming alongside other believers and encouraging them in their faith and sacrificially loving them. May we, Your Body of believers from across the world, demonstrate Christlike love to one another and be unified in heart, mind, and purpose to live for the glory of Your Name by being transformed into Your image by the renewing of our minds through Your Word, prayer, and by fellowship with one another, and by sharing the ‘good news’ of the gospel with others.  

May we be found faithful to gather together with one another, knowing that where two or more are gathered in Your Name, You are there in our midst; and when we gather together, may we devote ourselves to prayer, to teaching, to fellowship, and to the breaking of bread. (Matthew 18:20; Acts 2:42) Thank You that in the United States we currently have the liberty to freely assemble together to worship You without fear of persecution. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV May we respect one another and appreciate the gifts You have bestowed upon each of us, never being envious of one another nor looking down upon another’s gifting as being lesser than what You have given to us. (Romans 12:4-5) May we speak the truth in love to one another, encouraging one another so that the Body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of Jesus, and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13;15) May we have wisdom and discernment so that we only preach the purity of the true gospel and keep away from those who would seek to bring division and heresy to the Body by teaching that which is contrary to Your inerrant, infallible Word. (Romans 16:17) May we love You so much that we are willing to give up comfort and conveniences to use the resources You have entrusted to us to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in Your Name and teaching them to obey all of the commands that You have given to us for our good and for Your glory. (Matthew 28:19) May we, the Church, be filled at all times with a holy ‘fear of the Lord’—reverent awe and worship for You— the One and only true and Living God, the ‘King of Kings and Lord of Lords’, Who is worthy of all praise, honor and glory. Amen. (Acts 9:31)