30 DAYS OF PRAYER | DAY 30 – A Prayer for Discipleship
As we approach our launch date it is important for us to be a church that is praying that we are a people that is focused on discipleship. Discipleship is important because it is the tool that allows us to put into practice the teachings we learn from the Bible. Here are some thoughts regarding discipleship:
First, discipleship should begin in the home. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” We do not want to be a church that sacrifices the families and children in the church in order to build a new outpost for the kingdom of God. Rather, we want to be a church that is built on families that are training up their children in the knowledge of God. We need to be a church that is praying for the parents and encourage them to disciple their children.
Secondly, as a church we need to heed the words from the Apostle Paul found in 2 Timothy 2:2 which says, “and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” God has graciously allowed us to participate in the proclamation of the Gospel. We need to be a church that is praying for our leaders to be boldly proclaiming the truth of God’s Word and training up the next generation of leaders. When this is accomplished, we are faithfully following in the footsteps of Jesus who he himself choose to disciple twelve men with the intent of sending them out to proclaim the Good News.
Lastly, true discipleship requires action. This means that a disciple actively seeks to be like his or her master. For Redemption Church this means that we want to be like Jesus. How will we know when we are being true disciples of Jesus? Jesus answers this question in John 15:35 when he says, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” We need to be a church that is praying to have a mind like Jesus, a heart like Jesus, and the actions of Jesus.
A Puritan Prayer on Spiritual Growth (Discipleship):
O Thou Most high, in the way of thy appointment I am waiting for thee, my desire is to thy name, my mind to remembrance of thee.
I am a sinner, but not insensible of my state. My iniquities are great and numberless, but thou art adequate to my relief, for art rich in mercy; the blood of thy Son can cleanse from all sin; the agency of thy Spirit can subdue my most powerful lusts.
Give me a tender, wakeful conscience that can smite and torment me when I sin.
May I be consistent in conversation and conduct, the same alone as in company, in prosperity and adversity, accepting all thy commandments as right, and hating every false way.
May I never be satisfied with my present spiritual progress, but to faith ad virtue, knowledge, temperance, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity.
May I never neglect what is necessary to constitute Christian character, and needful to complete it.
May I cultivate the expedient, develop the lovely, adorn the gospel, recommend the religion of Jesus, accommodate myself to thy providence.
Keep me from sinking or sinning in the evil day; help me to carry into ordinary life portions of divine truth and use them on suitable occasions, so that its doctrine may inform, its warnings caution, its rules guide, its promises comfort me.
This post was written by Josh Wright, a member of Redemption Church. Josh is married to Heidi Wright and has one child, Emilie. He enjoys watching movies/TV shows, playing games, and spending time with his family.