IMPACT Prayer Guide

IMPACT PRAYER GUIDE A Prayer Guide for First United Methodist Church IMPACT Renovations

2416 West Cloverdale Park | Montgomery, Alabama July 2020

PRAYER FOR THE FOUNDATION Gracious Lord, as we embark on this journey of renovations to the buildings at First United Methodist Church in Montgomery, we pray that this project will be for your glory. We pray that these efforts will bring more people to know and love Jesus, who is our foundation and cornerstone. We pray that you would give wisdom and energy to everyone involved and that your Spirit would be present during every phase of the project.

“You are… built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”

Ephesians 2:19-22 “By wisdom, a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”

Proverbs 24:3-4 “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”

Psalm 127:1 We pray, Heavenly Father, that these renovations will establish a safe and creative place for the children of our community to find your love and grace through the ministries of ECDC and First School “for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” Luke 18:16

PRAYER FOR THE WALLS Lord, we pray that the walls of these buildings would give us space and opportunity to show our neighbors and strangers alike your love and acceptance, and to teach them your ways.

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

Hebrews 13:2 We pray especially for the renovations to the Education Wing and other parts of FUMC Campus, where Sunday School classes, small group discussions, and all kinds of learning occur for Children, Youth, and Adults.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

Psalm 119:105 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

2 Timothy 3:16

PRAYER FOR THE WINDOWS God in Heaven help us to worship you as our Creator and Sustainer. We pray that the renovated Sanctuary will be an inspiring place for all people to see your love and provision and to worship you with sincere and grateful hearts. Lord, we ask that the beauty of the stained-glass windows and the amazing sounds of the organ will connect us to your beauty and power and your desire for us to know you.

“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and truth.”

John 4:24 We pray for the musicians and choirs that lead us with excellence in worship, that their voices and instruments will be tuned to you and would bring you praise. We pray for the clergy, that their messages and their lives will be guided by you and that you would give them energy and direction for their ministries. We pray that our neighbors would be drawn into this space to experience and witness your majesty and beauty in their lives.

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord.”

Psalm 95:6 “Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with harp and lyre…Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.”

Psalm 150: 1a, 3,6

PRAYER FOR THE BEAMS & ARCHES Lord God, we pray for provision, protection, and unity in this process of renovations and maintenance. Father be with all the architects, workers, craftspeople, and specialists that have been and will be involved in designing and building your house. Give them energy and knowledge and a willingness to use your talents, given to them, to serve you.

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands – yes establish the work of our hands.”

Psalm 90:17 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for man.”

Colossians 3:23 We pray that you would build us up and support us through your spiritual beams and arches, so that we would be willing to support the renovations during this time of uncertainty. We ask especially that you continue to guide and direct your people to give to this work generously, as an investment for the future, so that your church will make disciples for the transformation of the world.

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering….and let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.’”

Exodus 25:1-2,8

PRAYER FOR THE ROOF Merciful God, we pray that the renovations will give us spaces to show hospitality and grace inside these walls and under these roofs. Help us to open wide the doors to receive family and strangers, to receive neighbors and enemies, that all may sense your love, truth, and protection.

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

Hebrews 13:2 We pray especially for the spaces that house ministries of service and outreach like the Respite Program and Missions. Give us courage and enthusiasm, inspired and equipped under your roof of provision, to leave the holy tent and go into the world and to seek out the least, the last, the lost, and to serve everyone in the name of Jesus.

“So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

Exodus 3: 10 “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Matthew 28:19 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

Luke 19:10

In Christ's Name We Pray, AMEN.