A Prayer for the New Church Plant in Your Town
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” - 1 Corinthians 3:5
Listen or Read Below:
Over the past few years, a friend of mine started a new church plant in our city. She, along with her husband, have been the youth leaders of a local church for several years. The church plant they started is in an impoverished area of the city, and the neighborhood they would be connecting with was not far from where I lived. While I was aware the area needed some sort of ministry, it was a surprise to know that deliverance was going to come from people I went to college with. At first, I was really excited for the church plant, but then life problems rolled in and I was never able to get connected with their ministry.
As time passed, I no longer felt the need to get involved anymore because I figured the church had everything figured out. Nobody was directly asking me for help, so I moved on. However, I know now that this church plant did need help from the community, even if they weren’t outwardly asking for it. This can be a somewhat common issue that new church plants struggle with. Rather than reaching out for help from other established churches or community believers, they try to do it all on their own.
If there is a new church plant in your area, don’t wait for them to reach out to believers in the community. Be proactive to offer your help and support as they get established. Even if you cannot give financially or invest in any time with the church plant, make time to pray on behalf of the new church plant, its leaders, and their growing congregation.
The Apostle Paul tells us, “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow” (1 Corinthians 3:5-7).
In this passage, Paul is talking about how God is the One who makes all things grow and that includes the present church plant that has sprung into being in your community. There are many different servants who are tending to the seed, however, it is only God who can make it grow. Unfortunately, the servants often struggle to reach out for help and rely too heavily on their own abilities at times. Even if nobody has directly asked for your help, choose to pray for the church plant.
God can use you as part of the seed’s growing process in order to ensure it grows into a beautiful plant. God can truly do all things, and we never need to doubt what He can do in our own communities. He is pleased with us when we are concerned for others and extend help in the form of prayer.
Let's Pray:
Dear God, I lift up the new church plant in my community. I want to help, but I’m not sure how to get involved. Help me not to become apathetic or to turn away from those who need it. If this church plant needs help from believers in the community, give them the courage to ask for it. And even if they do not ask, please equip my hands to help this church and to be a source of encouragement to this church plant. I ask that You help bless this church plant and help it to bloom. Only You can truly give it success.
I give You all the praise and glory, Amen.
Share your reflections on today’s devotional in the Your Daily Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
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