PRAYER GUIDE FOR JOEL S SABBATICAL

Transcription

1 PRAYER GUIDE FOR JOEL S SABBATICAL

2 Pastor, Joel Frederick & Family Wife, Shannon Eldest son, Isaiah Eldest daughter, Caris Youngest son, Elijah Youngest daughter, Kaleyah

3 DAY 1: Pray for Joel and his family to re-connect with each other and hear GOD's voice while they are on sabbatical; to strengthen their faith walk at the same time their family bond deepens and grows. Pray for restful reflection on behalf of Joel. FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray that we also spend time with the LORD and follow His path for us. For our members to be the living hands and feet of JESUS, and bring light into this world in order to help further CHRIST's Kingdom. DAY 2: Pray that Joel will seek and see the face and will of the LORD like never before. Pray for peace, rest and a renewed heart for him. Pray that his family will have quality time together and grow closer to each other and to the LORD. FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray for the comfort, guidance and wisdom for the other pastors who will be taking on additional roles and leadership while Joel is out. DAY 3: Pray that Joel and his family have an opportunity to worship together, to seek out what GOD wants for their family, grow closer to Him and just enjoy this time away. FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray the church will be ready for what GOD has in store when Joel comes back. Cause he will be fired up! DAY 4: Pray for Joel and his family to draw closer to the LORD as he seeks GOD s plan for Grace Life. FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray for us as a church to be prepared to receive what the LORD has planned for our church. DAY 5: Pray that Joel will be able to have some alone time with GOD. FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray for the other pastors that they will have knowledge, wisdom and strength during Joel s sabbatical and that the church will pull together and unite as one. DAY 6: Pray that Joel and his family are kept safe and that The LORD will give him some rest and keep it stress free so he can spend time with his family. FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray that the church will continue to grow in The LORD and that we keep our staff in our prayers as they go through their lives and continue to stay strong. DAY 7: Pray that Joel would do a lot of studying and listening to the LORD on the future of our church. And that quality time is spent with family. FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray that as a church we cover Joel and his family in prayer as they take a much needed and well deserved break from day to day pastoring. DAY 8: Pray Joel and his family have a time of refreshment, bonding with one another, rest, and renewal FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray for the church to remain faithful to one another in attendance, giving, and serving; to remember we are followers of CHRIST. DAY 9: Pray for Joel s peace. Peace in his mind. Peace in his heart. Peace in his soul. Peace within his family. FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray for the church s openness; open and optimistic about hearing others speak GOD s word to us. Pray that the church not mourn for this time of our beloved pastor being gone but rejoice for him. DAY 10: Pray for rest, family time, peace, wisdom and direction for Joel. FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray for understanding and willingness to be there for our other pastors and to chip in and do what needs to be done.

4 DAY 11: Pray that Joel will receive a refreshing word to carry us into FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray that we draw closer to the LORD. DAY 12: Pray that Joel and his family have uninterrupted time as a family! Pray that the LORD will bind Joel and Shannon together closer than ever, and their hearts will be as one. Pray it will be a great time of refreshment, renewal and making memories for their family! FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray that we as a body will pray daily for the LORD to speak clearly and directly to Joel. Pray that we will be receptive to the direction the LORD leads Joel. And pray we will be bound together closer as a church family while he is away. DAY 13: Pray that Joel will fall deeply in love a fresh with the LORD he desires to serve and during this time he can truly disconnect from his job. It will not be easy because he feels so strongly about ministering to his church. FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray to have an even stronger unity and love for one another. Pray we will lean heavily on the other pastors and develop a stronger Christian love and respect for these men. Pray when we come together again, with a refreshed pastor and a renewed church, we will be in awe of GOD s work. DAY 14: Pray GOD will provide Joel with rest and a renewed heart for The LORD and for his Grace Life family. Pray for GOD to guide Joel's heart to the path/direction that HE has planned for Grace Life. Pray that Joel will return with fresh eyes for GOD's plan for Grace Life to "get it done and go home". FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray the church will continue to put their faith in GOD, not man. Pray the church will continue to be unified in our mission of "getting it done so we can go home!" DAY 15: Pray Joel will grow closer to our LORD and SAVIOR. Pray that he will also be able to have time for himself and some much needed family time. FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray that our church would really grow and unite together at this time. DAY 16: Pray for Joel s rest, peace, and clarity of mind. FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray for the church to have strength, oneness, and refreshment. DAY 17: Pray for Joel s relaxation and reconnection with his family as individuals and as a whole. FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray for the faithfulness of the church to attend each service. Pray the Grace Life family will remain connected with each other and to rely on the HOLY SPIRIT to keep us motivated in the areas He has been guiding Joel to lead us. DAY 18: Pray that Joel and his family get rest, renewal and be refreshed in the LORD. FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray for unity. Pray that we love each other and we remember that GOD is the one that unites us together. DAY 19: Pray that Joel receives CHRIST centered rest and clarity about how our church should reflect GOD's glory the most. Pray that his entire family be renewed with vision and zeal; godly rest and relaxation. Pray they will each have time to glean from scripture and enjoy GOD. FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray that the church will be imitators of CHRIST; filled with grace and mercy. DAY 20: Pray that Joel and his family will be refreshed and grow even closer to the LORD. FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray that the church will also use this time to seek the LORD and His direction. Pray for revival, so that JESUS is first and foremost in all that we do.

5 DAY 21: Pray that Joel and his family would enjoy the wonderful presence of GOD together. Pray for a time of rest and reflection. Pray Joel can regroup and recharge and focus on what is most important in life. Pray that GOD pours into all of them a fresh energy and strength to lead us as a church to an even greater walk with CHRIST. FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray that our church family will use this as a time of reflection. Pray GOD continues to bless the church with a humble servant and committed leader. Pray that the church views Joel s sabbatical as an example for their own lives; spending more time with GOD and in His Word. Pray that the church is rested and ready for what GOD has in store for us as a church family when Joel and his family return. DAY 22: Pray for Joel and his families safe travels. Pray they will each grow even closer to our LORD. FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray our church family grows closer together during this time. DAY 23: Pray for Joel s rest and relaxation from the everyday life of being a pastor. Pray they will grow even closer to The LORD as a family. FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray the church will continue to grow for the glory of The LORD. DAY 24: Pray Joel and his family will have some amazing quality family time. Pray they receive time together with no interruptions. Pray that Joel will have time to spend alone with The LORD and His Word; complete solitude with his ABBA FATHER. Pray he is able to relax and focus on his walk with GOD. FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray that we will all think of his absence often so that we pray for him often. Pray that our church shows incredible support to the other pastors as they step in to fill his place. Pray for the other pastors during this time as they grow in their walk with GOD. The results should be incredible for everyone. DAY 25: Pray that Joel will receive a breath of fresh air while away and bring that same air back to all of us on his return FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray that the church will be very supportive of Joel s sabbatical and use this time wisely to also pray as a church family for what Joel is seeking. Pray that the church will be open to and learn from any speakers that may bring the Word to us in his absence. DAY 26: Pray for Joel to be rested and refreshed. Pray that the kids will enjoy the experience and not worry about what they are missing while gone. FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray we will spend time in prayer for our own witness to others. Continue to pray for mission work both here and abroad. DAY 27: Pray for Joel s rest and renewing; for oneness with YAHWEH; for a refreshed spirit. Pray that Joel s whole family is renewed in spirit with peace and understanding. FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray for the church s excitement for JESUS. Pray for revival. Pray for people to be drawn to JESUS and only JESUS. DAY 28: Pray for Joel and family to be able to become reacquainted and spend family time together. FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray that the church will relish the opportunity for others to grow as the void is filled.

6 DAY 29: Pray that Joel will receive the message GOD has for him, show him the balance of work verses family, and remind him that GOD works through him to bring people closer to knowing our SAVIOR whether it is directly through the Word or indirectly through prayer and love. FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray that our church will grow with one another, depend on one another, and depend on the other pastors. Pray we will go to the Word and the LORD to bear and find answers for not only our burdens but to see His glory in all that we do. DAY 30: Pray for Joel to be renewed in his relationship with the LORD and that he will be able to spend quality time with his family without distractions. FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray that the church will remain faithful. DAY 31: Pray that Joel and his family will be able to purposefully seek GOD's COMPLETE presence and guidance for their individual lives and for their family. Pray they will have some enjoyable family time away from all the pressures of being a pastor's family. Pray that Joel will be refreshed and renewed, spiritually, mentally and physically! FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray that our church will support Joel s sabbatical completely and pray for them daily. Pray we would also individually and corporately seek GOD's COMPLETE presence in our lives and for our Church family as a whole. DAY 32: Pray that the sabbatical will be a true time of refreshment and refocusing of what Joel and his family are to be about first and foremost as believers then as a family. Pray that they will be revitalized and have a vision for the ministry The LORD has entrusted to them. FOR OUR CHURCH: Pray that the church will truly be the church and function as a church. Pray we continue in ministry with vision for reaching the lost. Pray that the church functions just as well or even better while the pastor is on sabbatical. DAY 33: Pray that Joel and his family, during this sabbatical, will be able to fully unplug from obligations outside what they feel the LORD is requiring of them at this time. Pray they are refreshed, renewed, revived and ready to rest in the LORD and each other. FOR THE CHURCH: Pray that the church will look forward to their return. Pray the church will allow Joel and his family to unplug from Grace Life obligations for this brief period and that we trust and use the leading of the other pastors the LORD has given us. DAY 34: Pray that God will give Joel guidance as a pastor for the future of Grace Life Baptist Church. Pray that he and his family will enjoy this time together and the wonderful experience this will be for all of them. Pray that all of them have a special time with the Lord. FOR THE CHURCH: Pray that everyone at Grace Life will continue to pray for Joel and his family. Pray that through this sabbatical that more people will be brought to Christ. DAY 35: Pray that Joel will be able to put new revelations and insights into action plans that will bring glory to God. FOR THE CHURCH: Pray that Satan will be bound from causing trouble. Pray that a bond of unity is stronger than ever at Grace Life. DAY 36: Pray that Joel will be able to put new revelations and insights into action plans that will bring glory to God. FOR THE CHURCH: Pray that Satan will be bound from causing trouble. Pray that a bond of unity is stronger than ever at Grace Life.

7 DAY 37: Pray that a shield of protection be placed around Joel and his family. Pray they are all blessed with good health and safe travel. FOR THE CHURCH: Pray for the deacons of the church as they serve the church during this time. Pray their commitment will be an example for the whole church. DAY 38: Pray Joel will be receptive to the HOLY SPIRIT's voice. Pray he will have a strong awareness of GOD's presence. Pray that the Scriptures will jump off the page into his heart. Pray that he would be able to truly rest. FOR THE CHURCH: Pray that the church will also use this time to refocus its efforts in ministry. DAY 39: Pray that Joel and his family will grow spiritually during this time of refreshment and rest. FOR THE CHURCH: Pray that the church will grow spiritually during this time and will be ready for Joel s return with eager anticipation. DAY 40: Pray that Joel be filled with the HOLY SPIRIT during the sabbatical. FOR THE CHURCH: Pray that the church be filled with the HOLY SPIRIT during the sabbatical. DAY 41: Pray for an all-consuming fire to be ignited in Joel and his family. Pray for an experience that can only be contributed to the work and plans of GOD. FOR THE CHURCH: Pray for an all-consuming fire to be ignited in the church. Pray for actions and attitudes that can only be contributed to the work and plans of GOD.

8 Church Covenant Having, as we trust, been brought, by Divine Grace, to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and to give up ourselves to Him, and having been baptized upon our profession of faith, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, relying on His gracious aid, solemnly and joyfully renew our covenant with each other. We will work and pray for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We will walk together in brotherly love, as becomes the members of a Christian Church; exercise an affectionate care and watchfulness over each other and faithfully admonish in meekness and encourage one another, as occasion may require. We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, nor neglect to pray for ourselves and others. We will strive to raise those under our care, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and by a pure and loving example to seek the salvation of our family and friends. We will rejoice at each other s happiness, and endeavor, with tenderness and sympathy, to bear each other s burdens and sorrows We will seek, by Divine aid, to live carefully in the world, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and remembering that, as we have been voluntarily buried by baptism and raised again from the symbolic grave, so there is on us a special obligation now to live a new and holy life. We will work together for the continuance of a faithful evangelical ministry in this church as we sustain its worship, ordinances, disciplines, and doctrines. We will contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church and the spread of the Gospel through all nations. We will humbly and earnestly seek to live to the glory of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. We will, when we move from this place, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God s Word May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.