Thank God for Pastor Chris and his sermon on Sunday, “The Danger of Eating the Lotus” from Haggai 1:1–15. Ask the Lord to keep us alert and awake to serve Him in a society that treasures comfort and affluenc.

Please pray for Chris to have great wisdom as he prays and prepares this week’s sermon, from Haggai 2:1–19. May this Old Testament prophetic book speak to us powerfully.

Pray for Daniel and Heather as they follow the Lord’s leading into a new season of ministry. Thank you for Daniel’s significant ministry and friendship among us, and may he have significant impact for the Vietnamese church and with TLI in the years ahead. 

Pray for Ed, who has received a diagnosis of leukemia. May he trust God, be comforted in this trial, receive needed wisdom, and receive needed treatment and healing. 

Pray for healing, patience, and refreshing sleep for Bob as he heals from knee surgery and continues rehab.

Pray for Darlene and Katie as they continue to grieve.

Pray for Jim as he continues rehab and healing. 

Pray for Julie to receive relief and healing from her knee pain.

We will be praying for our ministry partner The Caring Network, a Christian organization that ministers biblically to women in the Chicagoland area who are experiencing unexpected pregnancy, struggling with the temptation of abortion, or suffering from post-abortion trauma. 

Please join me in prayer. 
Dear Heavenly Father, our gracious and sovereign Lord, You are the Mighty Creator of Heaven and Earth, and our One and Only True God.

We come before you today reverently as Your chosen people, deeply grateful that in Your mercy You have made us Your own. You have spoken and, by Your grace, have given us ears to hear the voice of Your beloved Son, hearts to believe His gospel of salvation, and feet to follow Him. Thank you that we are not left to wander aimlessly in this fallen world, like sheep perilously astray. In Your goodness, You have called us by name and drawn us to Yourself. We praise you, Father, for seeing us as precious heirs in Your Holy sight.  

We praise you, Lord Jesus, for giving us eternal life, not earned by our own effort, but secured by Your finished work on the cross. Thank you that this gift is unshakeable, that we shall never perish, and that no one can ever snatch us out of Your hand. In this hostile, uncertain, and enticing world, give us a faith that anchors our confidence in Your unbreakable promises and guides our steps in obedience. 

We confess, Father, that our hearts are prone to wander, our love for You and for others can grow cold, and our faith can begin to falter. We confess that we have sinned against you and against others whom You have called us to love, both in our words and actions and in our silence and inaction. 

We confess quietly now to you our individual sins. 

Lord, we pray for your forgiveness and for Your mercy. When trials test and doubts assail us, teach us to treasure You above all else and others, to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, and to follow Your life-giving ways. When the riches, honors, and comforts of this world tug on our hearts and lure our loyalty, remind us that You alone are our portion and our lasting joy.

We pray for our congregation. Grant us all perseverance in faith. Clothe us in spiritual armor impenetrable to the principalities of this world. Strengthen those who have grown weary from doing good and from fighting the good fight. Empower them. For those who are struggling physically, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually, please sustain them. For those afflicted by sin and suffering, in Your mercy draw them closer to You. May we all experience the love of Your Son, Jesus, in our moments of need

Make us a church of believers who do one-anothering well in all its biblical facets. Help us to go to one another in love, encourage one another, forgive one another, and show grace to one another. Because, Father, in Your Kingdom, that is exactly what You extend to us, even and especially when we don’t deserve it.  

We pray for your missionary servants throughout the world who bring Your Gospel of grace and the love of Jesus to the nations. 

Today, we lift up to You the Caring Network ministry. We ask that You would bless this organization with additional financial donors and more local churches and volunteers to support its ministry efforts. Grant its outreach and marketing efforts greater success to reach more struggling women. Enable the approval and construction of the additional clinics Caring Network plans to open in Illinois. Grant the staff and volunteers the patience, discernment, and wisdom needed to extend Your gospel message effectively in bringing others to faith in Christ.  

As James Mor visits another church this weekend seeking opportunity to serve by Your grace as pastor, may his visit be fruitful.

We lift up Pastor Daniel as he contemplates new opportunities and prepares to serve Your Kingdom in new ways, prayerfully seeking Your will and good purposes. 

As Pastor Chris preaches faithfully today from the Book of Haggai, may the Holy Spirit guide him with truth, grace, and understanding. May Your spoken Word fix our eyes on Christ, make us attentive to Your will, and realign our hearts to the things You value.

We pray all of these things in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and by the power of Your Holy Spirit.

Amen.