The Church needs your prayers, both locally and globally. This article will guide you through what the Bible says about praying for the Church and offer simple prayers you can start with today.
You don’t have to be a pastor or a missionary to make a difference in the Church. As followers of Jesus, we’re called to actively pray for the local and global Church. If you’re not sure how to begin or feel overwhelmed by the scope, take heart—the most effective place to start is by turning to God’s Word and lifting your voice to Him in prayer.
In this article, we’ll look at what Scripture says about praying for the Church and then go through some prayers you can pray for your church and local ministries, as well as the global Church!
We Are One in Jesus Christ
As followers of Christ, we are called to pray for both the local and global Church.
As followers of Christ, we are called to pray for both the local and global Church. The Bible tells us that, as followers of Christ, we are all one body in Jesus.
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26-28 NIV
My hope is that this article will provide you with a helpful starting point for praying for the local and global Church. Then, allow the Holy Spirit to lead you and deepen your prayers with what He places on your heart.
What Does Scripture Say About Praying for the Church?
Scripture invites us to pray consistently and trust that God hears us. Below you’ll find some verses highlighting the value of prayer, praying for others, and praying for the Church.
- We are to persistently pray for all of God’s people.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:18 NIV
- We are to give our time and focus to prayer and the ministry of the Word.
“ … and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” Acts 6:4 NIV
- We are to pray and give thanks for all people.
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 1 Timothy 2:1 NLT
- We are to pray with confidence that God hears us.
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14 NIV
- We are to follow Jesus’ example and pray for His followers to be unified.
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.” John 17:20-21 NLT
7 Prayers for the Local and Global Church
These prayers can be used as a guide, but I encourage you to let the Holy Spirit lead you in your prayer time! You’ll also find a Bible verse to accompany each prayer.
1. A Prayer for My Church
Dear heavenly Father, thank You for my church. Help me to be Your hands and feet and serve my church well using my unique spiritual gifts. Please bless my church community, and help us keep our focus on You. Help us reach out to our community and share Your goodness with others. I pray that Your love will overflow from us to each person we meet. In Jesus’ name, amen.
God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Peter 4:10 NLT
2. A Prayer for Local Churches and Ministries
Lord, thank You for each of the ministries and churches within our community that share the gospel with others. I pray that You would help these ministries meet the unique individual needs of every person in our community and guide them closer to You. Let us each love our neighbors as ourselves. Help the people in these churches and ministries live selflessly as they spread Your name. In Jesus’ name, amen.
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. James 2:8 ESV
3. A Prayer for Unity Within the Church
Dear God, I come before You today to pray for unity within the Church. Help us remember that we are all on the same mission—to share the good news of the gospel with the world. I pray that You will help us encourage and support one another in this mission and heal any unnecessary divisions. Let us walk with an eagerness to maintain the unity of the Spirit through a bond of peace. In Jesus’ name, amen.
I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 1 Corinthians 1:10 NLT
4. A Prayer for the Church’s Boldness
Dear Father, help both the local and global Church be bold in sharing the gospel with others. I pray that we will confidently share Your Word with those who do not know You. Help us find our identity in You and You only. In Jesus’ name, amen.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes ... Romans 1:16 NIV
5. A Prayer for Ministries and Missionaries Across the World
Father, thank You for all the selfless believers who have devoted their lives to spreading the gospel across the world. You know each of their individual needs, Lord, and I pray that You will meet their needs. When they enter into stressful or dangerous situations, help them turn to You in prayer and receive a peace that transcends all understanding. Help them to rest and dwell in Your safety. In Jesus’ name, amen.
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 NIV
6. A Prayer for Urgency in the Church
Dear heavenly Father, I ask for increased urgency in Your followers to spread the gospel. Help the Church listen to the Holy Spirit, and urge believers to dedicate their lives to telling people about You. Help the local and global Church spread the gospel with boldness. Lord, as people come to know You, I pray that they would go on to spread the gospel further in Your name. In Jesus’ name, amen.
He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Matthew 9:37-38 NLT
7. A Prayer for the Global Church
Lord, thank You for the global Church. I pray for the global Church to be united in a joint mission—to take the gospel to the ends of this earth. Let there be a revival across the world in Your name. I ask for unity and prosperity within the global Church, that Your Word would spread to every nation and person. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“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 NIV
Next Steps
- Focus on a prayer or two each day and spend time with the Lord, talking to Him about how He wants to use you to further His kingdom! Let the Holy Spirit guide you, and go to God with any prayers on your heart.
- If you aren’t already, get involved in your church. Join a small group Bible study, serve on the welcoming team, volunteer in Sunday school, or find another place within your church where you feel called to serve!
- Continue to persistently pray for both the local and global Church. Do not underestimate the power of prayer and all God can do!