Prayer Week 2023

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�rayer �eek �evotional

JANUARY 1–8, 2023

We Ought Always to Pray and Not Lose Heart

BETHLEHEM BAPTIST CHURCH

DOWNTOWN CAMPUS

2023 Prayer Week Guide

This Prayer Week Guide for 2023 has one primary theme: Jesus Christ. I trust that it will be both obvious to you and deeply encouraging. I am recommending Gentle and Lowly, by Dane Ortlund, because because he helps us abide in Christ’s love for us, which cultivates our relationship with him and our fellowship with our Father in prayer. Remember what Jesus said of himself: “I am gentle and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29). Let’s take his word for it and press in through prayer that is guided by the Word and through song—this week and for the rest of our lives.

Bud Burk

PRAYER WEEK FEATURED BOOK

Gentle and Lowly

by Dane C. Ortlund

Available at the Bethlehem Bookstore through January 31. All sales benefit Bethlehem College and Seminary.

ONLY $11.99 (40%

Pastor for Children & Family Discipleship, Downtown

Prayer Week Schedule

DAY 1 SUNDAY, JANUARY 1

Pre-Service Prayer (weekly)

8–8:30am, Room 112

DAY 2 MONDAY, JANUARY 2

Church building closed for the New Year’s holiday

DAY 3 TUESDAY, JANUARY 3

Early Morning Prayer

7–7:30am, Prayer Room

DAY 4 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4

Early Morning Prayer

7–7:30am, Prayer Room

DAY 5 THURSDAY, JANUARY 5

Early Morning Prayer

7–7:30am, Prayer Room

DAY 6 FRIDAY, JANUARY 6

Early Morning Prayer

6:30–7am, Prayer Room

Night of Prayer & Word

6–9pm

DAY 7 SATURDAY, JANUARY 7

DAY 8 SUNDAY, JANUARY 8

Pre-Service Prayer

8–8:30am, Room 112

Prayer for Bethlehem

Pastor Kenny Stokes

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.—Hebrews 4:14–16

Hebrews 4:14–16 lays out great incentives of grace for us to pray.

1. Jesus, the Son of God, is our “great high priest” who gave up his own life to secure God’s grace to us once and for all. We pray with the assurance of his ongoing advocacy for us in his unwavering gospel love for us.

2. Jesus, since he ‘‘passed through the heavens’’ by taking on flesh, sympathizes with our weaknesses and our every temptation. So, pray with the assurance of his understanding of all our troubles and his sympathy in our weakness.

3. Jesus, from the throne of grace, will most assuredly grant us his mercy and help in our time of need when we draw near to him in worship and prayer.

So Brothers and Sisters …

Pray with the confident assurance of the loving mercy of Jesus toward us, and his inclination to provide all the grace we need at just the right time.

Pray for Bethlehem as we enter another year of life together. Pray that we might more fully live out our mission: “To spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ.”

Pray for each and every one of us to be strong in the Lord and the strength of his might, that we might rejoice in the Lord always, and that we might know the incomprehensible love of God in Christ and abide in his love.

Pray that all our relationships with family, friends, co-workers, and fellow believers would be marked by the love of Christ—who laid down his life for us. Likewise, pray that all our relationships would be shaped and informed by the truth of the word of God and not by falsehood, unbelief, and sin.

Pray that all of us might be a means of bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to others among our family members, friends, and neighbors

And pray that as we transition from a multisite church back to Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, that our wider work of church planting and global missions would not suffer setback, but would rather advance by God’s help in 2023.

Wonderful, Merciful Savior

(Listen online)

Wonderful, merciful Savior

Precious Redeemer and Friend

Who would have thought that a Lamb Could rescue the souls of men

Oh, You rescue the souls of men

Counselor, Comforter, Keeper

Spirit we long to embrace

You offer hope when our hearts have

Hopelessly lost our way

Oh, we’ve hopelessly lost the way

You are the One that we praise You are the One we adore

You give the healing and grace

Our hearts always hunger for Oh, our hearts always hunger for

Almighty, infinite Father

Faithfully loving Your own

Here in our weakness You find us

Falling before Your throne

Oh, we’re falling before Your throne

You are the One that we praise You are the One we adore

You give the healing and grace

Our hearts always hunger for Oh, our hearts always hunger for

You are the One that we praise You are the One we adore

You give the healing and grace

Our hearts always hunger for Oh, our hearts always hunger for

CCLI Song # 106879 | Dawn Rodgers | Eric Wyse | © 1989 Curb Dayspring Music (Admin. by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.) Curb Word Music (Admin. by WC Music Corp.) | CCLI License

Monday, Day 2

Global Outreach

Pastor Brad Nelson

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. — 2 Corinthians 5:11–21

In this passage, the apostle Paul describes our motive for witness and mission in the world by remembering the work that Christ has done and the ministry that he has given us. We now serve as Christ’s ambassadors. The Corinthian readers, many of whom were slaves or impoverished, had to go through a paradigm shift to think of themselves as ambassadors. From their perspective, an ambassador spoke on behalf of the Roman emperor, delivering his message to the people. An ambassador, therefore, carried great authority and great responsibility.

God could have communicated his love to the world through any means he desired. For reasons that are unfathomable to us, he chooses to do his work through us. We are his method. We serve as his ambassadors communicating the message of reconciliation through Jesus Christ to the world. We have the best news in the universe that the world needs to hear. And as ambassadors, it is our job to represent Christ and share how through him God was reconciling the world to himself!

Personal reflection: Read 2 Corinthians 5:11–21. Who served as “Christ’s ambassador” to you, telling you the good news that God wanted a restored relationship with you through Jesus Christ? Spend a few minutes thanking God for that person. Who in your life can you be an ambassador to? Share the news of how to be reconciled to God. Pray for that person. Pray also for our global partners—as they are ambassadors around the world in some of the hardest places on earth—that many would be reconciled to Christ through their ministry!

We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations

(Listen online)

We’ve a story to tell to the nations that shall turn their hearts to the right a story of truth and mercy a story of peace and light a story of peace and light

For the darkness shall turn to dawning and the dawning to noon-day bright and Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth the Kingdom of love and light

We’ve a story to be sung to the nations that shall lift their hearts to the Lord a song that shall conquer evil and shatter the spear and sword and shatter the spear and sword [Refrain]

We’ve a message to give to the nations that the Lord who reigneth above hath sent us his Son to save us and show us that God is love and show us that God is love [Refrain]

We’ve a Savior to show to the nations who the path of sorrow hath trod that all of the world’s great peoples might come to the truth of God might come to the truth of God [Refrain]

Tuesday, Day 3

Prayer for Worship and Hispanic Ministries

René González

Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!—Psalm 96:1–3

Many times during my walk with the Lord, praying has turned into singing. In these blessed moments, a glimpse of God’s glory illuminates the heart, and words alone seem to be inadequate to express all the affection and praise that my Savior deserves. In this passage, the psalmist is inviting us to sing a new song, to articulate a fresh expression of praise and blessing to the Lord. This invitation is a call based on at least three amazing realities about our God in this text: (1) his salvation, (2) his glory, and (3) his works.

Therefore, I invite you to bless the Lord Jesus Christ today for his saving work in your life. Praise the Name of the Lord because, by grace, your eyes have been opened to see the glory of God in the face of Jesus, and your mouth has been opened to sing to the Lord—anticipating the day when you and I will sing a new song before the Throne with our brothers and sisters from all peoples and nations.

I’m praying and singing with you!

O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing

(Listen online)

O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise the glories of my God and King the triumphs of his grace!

Jesus! the name that charms our fears that bids our sorrows cease ‘tis music in the sinner’s ears ‘tis life and health and peace

He breaks the power of canceled sin he sets the prisoner free his blood can make the foulest clean his blood availed for me

My gracious Master and my God assist me to proclaim to spread thro’ all the earth abroad the honors of your Name

To God all glory, praise, and love be now and ever given by saints below and saints above the Church in earth and heaven

CCLI Song # 1369 | Carl Gotthelf Glaser | Charles Wesley | © Words: Public Domain | Music: Public Domain | CCLI License # 130553

Wednesday, Day 4

Prayer for Children & Young Families

Pastor Bud Burk

Jesus said, “I am gentle and lowly in heart”—Matthew 11:29

Jesus is near. He is tender, compassionate, and present. He is our good shepherd who knows and welcomes his sheep. He is understanding, for he knows what it is like to live through sorrow, temptation, and suffering. He knows pain. He knows death. He knows life, for he is life. He knows righteousness, for he is righteous. He loves us as his Father loves him. He is patient, and he delights in showing us steadfast love. In fact, it is his love that is meant to compel us to live for him, our King.

Our children need to hear us speaking of Jesus this way, with a fragrance of gratitude and adoration. They need to hear us singing to him. They need to see us moved to a responding love back to him, for ours is a second love, and his is a first love. Ask our Father in heaven, in Jesus’ Name, that the Spirit would draw young souls to Jesus while he transforms the adults who lead them. May we be Christ’s ambassadors to the children—Royal Mercy Ambassadors both in the living room and in the nursery & classroom.

More Precious Than Silver

(Listen online)

(Oh) Lord You are

More precious than silver

Lord You are

More costly than gold

Lord You are

More beautiful than diamonds

And nothing I desire Compares with You

CCLI Song # 11335 | Lynn DeShazo | © 1982 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (Admin. by Integrity Music) | CCLI License # 130553

Thursday, Day 5

Prayer for Adult Discipleship and Small Groups

Pastor Jared Wass

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” —Matthew 11:28

Would you describe your life more as a restful labor or an anxious toil? I have to humbly admit that I often experience life more anxiously than restfully. Thankfully, there is no condemnation for the inconsistent application of the gospel in my life. I rest confident in the grace that is mine in Christ and that is bearing fruit in areas of my life—while I continue to press into the gaps where I want to experience more grace leading to more freedom and more joy.

Ephesians 4:15 says we grow up into Christ as we speak the truth in love to each other. It’s important to meditate on the Bible to learn what it has to teach us so we can speak loving truth to each other. Even more important than that—more important than learning and teaching about Jesus—is leaning in and communing with him. In our discipleship, may we go much to the Scriptures and learn, but even more may we come to Jesus (John 5:39–40) and abide in him (John 15:4–5, 1 John 4:14–19). May our life and personal ministry be less of an anxious toil and more of restful labor as it’s meant to be.

Be Still My Soul

(Listen online)

Be still, my soul, the Lord is on thy side Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain Leave to thy God to order and provide In every change, He faithful will remain Be still, my soul, thy best, thy heavenly friend Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end

Be still, my soul, thy God doth undertake To guide the future as He has the past

Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake All now mysterious shall be bright at last Be still, my soul, the waves and winds still know His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below

Be still, my soul, the hour is hastening on When we shall be forever with the Lord When disappointed grief and fear are gone

Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored Be still, my soul, when change and tears are past All safe and blessed, we shall meet at last

CCLI Song # 7020778 | Jane Laurie Borthwick | Jason Ingram | Kari Jobe | Kathrina Amalia von Schlegel | © 2013 Worship Together Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Open Hands Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) | CCLI License # 130553

Friday, Day 6

Prayer for Youth

Andrew Ballard

For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?—1 Thessalonians 3:8–10

“We live if you are standing fast ...” An astonishing statement. For the apostle Paul, the unbelief of the Thessalonians would be his own death sentence. But their perseverance was life itself. If you are a parent, you know what it means to yearn this way for someone’s salvation.

This is our goal, as parents and leaders. We yearn to see our youth “standing fast in the Lord” decades after they leave our sight. Our aim is maturity that outlasts proximity. We want to see them love Jesus all the way to the end. In our labor, we persevere, “for we know whom we have believed, and we are convinced that he is able to guard until that last day what has been entrusted to us”

(2 Timothy 1:12, adapted).

Pray for our students, that they will stand fast in the Lord. Pray for our parents and leaders, that King Jesus would grant us testimonies of victory, thanksgiving, and joy in our labors.

Lord Have Mercy

(Listen online)

O God, we come before Your throne

And in our weakness we confess

We go astray and sin each day

We cast ourselves upon Your grace

O Lord, have mercy on us

Sinners in need of grace

Forgive us our transgressions

And lead us in Your righteous ways

God, lead us in Your righteous ways

The blood You shed has paid our debts

Jesus, You’ve washed our sins away

We trust Your grace, believe by faith

In You we have all righteousness

O Lord, You’ve shown us mercy

Sinners are washed as saints

You’ve shown Your loving-kindness

Sons of disgrace are righteous made

Sons of disgrace are righteous made

We fix our eyes on You, our prize

Jesus, the Author of our faith

Till You return or bring us home

You strengthen us to run the race

O Lord, forever faithful

All glory to Your Name!

We have no other Savior

Our great Redeemer, God and King

Jesus, Redeemer, God and King

CCLI Song # 7096629 | Jordan Kauflin | Marc Willerton | © Sovereign Grace Praise (Admin. by Integrity Music) | Sovereign Grace Worship (Admin. by Integrity Music) | CCLI License # 130553

Saturday, Day 7

Prayer for Campus Outreach and College-Age Ministry

Pastor Ken Currie

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

—Matthew 9:36–38

God has brought thousands of college students to the Twin Cities. Most of them do not look to Jesus as their Lord, Savior, and Treasure. The current cultural climate is one of intense selfish ambition leading to insecurity, isolation, and hopelessness. Students mask their emptiness with academic and social activity, but only Jesus can meet their heart’s desire. The need and the opportunity are as profound as ever. Our church is strategically located in close proximity to this harvest field. Pray that we may preach the gospel boldly and wisely, and that God will draw many to himself—that students will be discipled to maturity in Christ and enfolded into our church.

Grace Greater Than All Our Sin

(Listen online)

Grace Greater than our Sin Marvelous grace of our loving Lord Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled

Grace, grace, God’s grace

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within Grace, grace, God’s grace

Grace that is greater than all our sin!

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, Threaten the soul with infinite loss

Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold Points to the refuge, the mighty cross [Refrain]

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide What can we do to wash it away? Look! There is flowing a crimson tide Brighter than snow you may be today [Refrain]

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace Freely bestowed on all who believe! You that are longing to see His face Will you this moment His grace receive? [Refrain]

CCLI Song # 31690 | Daniel Brink Towner | Julia Harriette Johnston | © Words: Public Domain | Music: Public Domain | CCLI License # 130553

Sunday, Day 8

Prayer for Worship/Deacons and CityJoy Ministries

Pastor Chuck Steddom

The Greatest Shall Be the Least

And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”—Mark 10:42–45

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.—2 Corinthians 8:9

I believe Jesus is calling us to a radically different way of life here at Bethlehem—the way of sacrificial, humble, loving service. The life that Jesus is calling his disciples to has priorities and values that are opposite those of the world around us. In this text, Jesus declares that it is not power, position, or wealth that makes us great in the kingdom of God, but instead humble acts of kindness and mercy. In Jesus’ kingdom, greatness is measured by servant-like acts of truth and love. We are to outdo one another in deeds of love.

Jesus, our example, left the riches of his heavenly kingdom and became poor for our sake. He endured betrayal, physical suffering—and ultimately, death. But even now, after he rose from the grave and was exalted by God to the highest place,

he serves us, interceding for us before the Father. True love for Jesus and obedience to his example will result in the overflow of service toward others who are made in the image of God.

God has placed Bethlehem Baptist Church at a strategic crossroads where immigrants, the poor, the marginalized, the wealthy, and the educated live. As we begin 2023 as our own church (Lord willing, in early the year), let us renew our vision to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ.

Please pray with me that …

• We would continually fall in love with our Savior and King, Jesus, and with his word.

• God would give us compassionate hearts toward those in need, remembering Jesus’ ultimate act of servanthood.

• We would be eager to find ways to serve brothers/sisters in our church with the gifts God has given us.

• We would be known as a loving and welcoming body of believers, open to those who may be different than us.

• Our church would be known in our city as a lighthouse of gospel love and truth.

• Our love of Jesus would grow and overflow in proclaiming the Good News to our neighborhoods and the nations.

• Our deacons would be effective in their care for those in need.

• Outreach ministries through CityJoy would experience spiritual fruit as they labor among the people Christ came to save.

The Servant Song

(Listen online)

Brother let me be your servant

Let me be as Christ to you

Pray that I might have the grace to Let you be my servant too

We are pilgrims on a journey

We are brothers on the road

We are here to help each other

Walk the mile and bear the load

I will hold the Christ-light for you

In the night time of your fear

I will hold my hand out to you

Speak the peace you long to hear

I will weep when you are weeping

When you laugh I’ll laugh with you

I will share your joy and sorrow

Till we’ve seen this journey through

When we sing to God in heaven

We shall find such harmony

Born of all we’ve known together

Of Christ’s love and agony

Brother, sister, let me serve you

Let me be as Christ to you

Pray that I may have the grace to Let you be my servant too

CCLI Song # 72673 | Richard Gillard | © Words: 1977 Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) | Music: 1977 Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) |

CCLI License # 130553