Deep Community, Diverse Community - Congregational Prayer

On the first Sunday of each month we pray, as a family, for a particular aspect of the mission that God has called us to and for the people God is forming us into, by His grace. Then, throughout the month we commit to continual prayer on that particular topic. This month our prayer is for the Spirit of God to form us into a deep and diverse community.

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. —Hebrews 10:24-25

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. —Galatians 3:28

Our prayer is for the Spirit of God to form us into a deep and diverse community. We pray we would be a people that love God and love others deeply. . .

With a radical covenant love for one another: One that reflects the steadfast love of God; where gospel-relationships are not based on affinities but on Jesus, who makes us one. Because we have been made a family, we pray we would live and act as a family.

In authentic, gritty, raw community: Where we passionately pursue one another, sacrificially live out the "one-anothers" of Scripture, and intentionally disciple one another in everyday life.

By imaging what worship around the throne will look like: Jesus' Bride is made up of all languages and races, humbly bowing and praising God together12. We pray that we would be a church body that consists of old and young; black and white; rich and poor; tattooed and starched; with piercings and parted hair. That we would be a diverse body where others take notice of our love for another because it is counter-cultural and amazingly beautiful—even if its messy.

Please begin to pray these things with those in your community now in preparation.Read Pastor Ryan's blog from last year: "Deep and Diverse Community Will Not Happen".Find more content from past Congregational Prayers here.