Praying for the World
- All over the world, people continue to leave their religious traditions. So far, Christianity has not effectively communicated the gospel to secular, postmodern cultures. Churches struggle against the spread of secular thought and values, and many leave the faith, especially the younger generation. Pray for wisdom and discernment to be combined with fearlessness and passion in how churches address these challenges.
- Maintaining a clear witness to the uniqueness of Christ in the midst of growing religious pluralism and post-modernity is a challenge. Even among Christians, a creeping universalism can be observed as gaining ground. The convictions of believers regarding the uniqueness of Jesus, and His claim to be the only way to the Father, are being challenged from within and without the Church. Pray that the church will be well equipped to handle these challenges.
- Pray for the effective functioning of local congregations. Each congregation should be an organic entity, a community where all members participate in body life. Each believer has gifts to contribute to the up-building of the whole, yet rarely do congregations function in this way. Mobilizing the laity remains a great challenge for most churches. All kinds of new forms of church life are being attempted. Pray that each unique congregation might serve to build up believers, draw in the unchurched and glorify Christ. Pray for wisdom for church leaders to know how to best achieve this for their congregation, whatever its context.