God, the effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic are being felt in our hospitals and in our homes, in our families and in our friendships, in our schools and in our workplaces, in our economy and our governments.
Yet, you remain our hope. You are our source of strength. And only you are, ‘able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine’. (Eph. 3:20) Help us share this with others as we prepare to host an Alpha Course
God, we pray for your Church as it extends an invitation to try Alpha…
For the fired up and excited ones,
For the nervous or embarrassed ones,
For those who aren’t sure who to invite!
Open our ears to hear the names you whisper.
Calm our fears and give us the courage to ask.
‘Strengthen [us] with power through [your] Spirit’, as we take a risk and extend an invitation. (Eph. 3:16)
God, we pray for the teams running Alpha…
For the team leaders and group hosts,
For the cooks and the pray-ers,
For the technical teams navigating new challenges in a digital space.
Protect them and pour out your grace and wisdom.
Empower them, Holy Spirit, to welcome and listen attentively.
Root and establish them in your love, so that they can share, ‘how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.’ (Eph. 3:17b-18)
And finally, God, we pray for our guests…
For the curious and the questioning,
For the unsure or the angry,
For those living with loss or seeking something more.
Prepare the soil of their lives to receive gospel seed. (Mar. 4:1-20)
Help them feel welcomed and heard and to find new friends.
Would they, ‘know this love that surpasses knowledge – that [they] may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.’ (Eph. 3:19)
Lord, you have compassion on all people, especially those who feel harassed and helpless at this time. We believe that in our neighbourhoods and throughout our nation, ‘the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.’ We ask you, ‘Lord of the harvest’, to send us out as workers into the harvest field. (Mat. 9:36-38)
As we pray, as we invite, and as we share your love through this Alpha Course, would your kingdom come and your will be done, here as it is in heaven.
Amen.
Written by 24/7 Prayer
