Hear what Jesus said in Matthew 28:18-20, ¹⁸ “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

In one sentence Jesus gave us our purpose for the rest of natural history. This prayer guide focuses on the Great Commission in each area of our culture and our lives. The invitation is this: how can we be on mission with and for Jesus, according to His calling, by His equipping and for His Glory each and every day, everywhere, and all the time?

When Jesus spoke these words, He was speaking to His followers. These are people to whom He said, “follow me.” This is the same invitation He gave to you and me. Our focus is to pray for ourselves, our families, our churches and the people of Whatcom County who are Jesus followers to be empowered by the Holy Spirit for the glorious partnership of sharing the gospel in Whatcom County.

 Pray for your neighborhood – your Family, Church, Schools.

Jesus not only sent us as witnesses or missionaries to our neighborhoods, but He empowered us with the Holy Spirit to go and be His hands and feet. Read Philippians 1:6.

• Choose ~3 neighbor families to pray for with your family. Get to know them and pray for the Holy Spirit to touch their hearts so that they ask you about your source of hope.

 Praying for Whatcom County

Art & Media                John 14:26-27

• There are many who are concerned about the impact of social media (plus AI …) on us and our children. Let us together pray using what Jesus taught us for such a time as this: 1 – Pray that people would have a love of the Word of God. 2 – Pray that people develop a vital intimate personal relationship with Jesus by the power and influence of Holy Spirit. 3 – Pray that people, most importantly parents and children, will have dynamic trusting relationships with each other.

Business                      Colossians 3:23

• Pray for faith in the calling of God. As each business owner or manager has been called to this position by God, pray that he/she would trust that God will lead them through uncertain times.
• Pray for Liberty Road Foundation and the businesses that are associated to promote a biblical worldview of business in our community. Deuteronomy 8:18

Church                        John 15:26-27

• Pray for all the families that are graduating kids from one stage to another in their lives (school, marriage, job changes etc.). Pray for churches and parents to bless and send their kids as Jesus blessed and sent His disciples into the world.
• Pray for all the upcoming opportunities to share the gospel in summer camps, VBS, CEF, YWAM, and for those who will be counselors (particularly the need for male counselors).

Development            Revelation 3:8

• From Katie Steele: “Please pray for clarity of speech as I communicate with pastors. Ask the Lord to help me address the fear surrounding the abortion issue with grace and truth, so pastors discover the great evil of abortion and the generational destruction it brings. Pray they would be eager to learn how to create a lasting culture of life in their churches. This culture must include healing for those affected by abortion and compassionate support for those facing unplanned pregnancies. When women feel isolated, secrecy thrives and the enemy’s lies gain power. Pray that together we can build a culture of love and life that will ultimately end abortion and the orphan crisis.”

Education                   Colossians 3:15

• Pray for godly perspective. One principal reports that 90% of the kids are making progress. However, the 10% that are having difficulty create, for both teachers and parents, the sense that everything is more than challenging.
• Pray for a strong message from homes, churches, and schools that drugs are dangerous and life changing in a very negative way.

First Responders        1 Peter 1: 3-6

• Peter in his 1^st letter acknowledges the suffering people will experience in this life. But he then puts the focus on the unfading, imperishable living hope we have in Jesus. Pray that each of our 1^st responder brothers and sisters who deal daily with other people’s suffering will experience this living hope. V.5 “who by God’s power are being guarded through faith….”

Government               Ephesians 4:29-30

International:  Pray for Christians in every country to live such bold lives as they walk in the love of Christ that others will see and desire the peace that is visible in their lives. John 13:34

National:  Pray that Christians will not take part in the rhetoric that allows and encourages violence but will have compassionate hearts filled with humility and meekness. Colossians 3:12-14

Local:  Pray for safety in our communities, and for County and city councils to listen to their people and make wise decisions that lead to safe neighborhoods. Colossians 4:5-6

Health                         Colossians 3:12-17

• Pray for each person in health care to experience and know the presence of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit as Paul wrote in Colossians 3:15, “and let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”
• 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 declares that God is the God of ALL comfort, and that He comforts us in ALL our afflictions. Pray those in health care will have experience in this super-natural comfort so that they can be deliverers of the living comfort in Christ Jesus.

Praying for the World

International Missions/Israel/Native Americans

International Missions           Matthew 16:18

• May 24^th is the Global Day of Prayer for the Church. Prayer guides are at the YouVersion Bible app or go to 110cities.com
• Jesus declares that He will build His church in Matthew 16:18. Let us join Him in prayer and as He calls us.

Israel                                       John 14:27

• Pray for all aspects of the challenges of the wars Israel is involved in, to open people’s hearts to the story of the peace available from the Savior who gives peace that the world cannot understand.

Native Americans                   Luke 18:1

• Pray for a breakthrough of the Spirit in the tribes. Luke 18:1 calls us to pray and never give up! This persevering prayer is what our Native brothers and sisters need from us.

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES in May and June –

• National Day of Prayer May 7. There will be a service at LOWPC at 10:00 AM.
• Global Day of Prayer for the Church – Pentecost Sunday May 24
• June 19 is a prayer walk in Seattle during the World Cup Soccer tournament. Call Bill (or see website) if you would like to go.
• You Version Bible app – prayer guide for specific missionaries in the most difficult parts of the world: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/64200-365-prayers-to-change-the-world

If you want more info call or text Tim at 360-483-8691, email: timscott@lowpc.org.    

 LOWPC website:  www.lowpc.org