SCRIPTURE. REFLECTION. PRAYER FOR OUR CITY.
Let’s pray
for Memphis.
join us in lifting up the city we love, block by block.
THE PRAYER JOURNAL
Prayers for Memphis
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Paul Didn’t Duck No Smoke and Neither Should We
22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race…
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22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Acts 20:22-24
Paul’s final address to the Ephesians shows his heart. He has one aim, to proclaim Christ. Hard times are gonna come. As we like to say in Memphis, we ain’t ducking no smoke.
Memphis needs committed believers seeking Him. Only through steadfast laboring by the body of Christ will we see mass repentance among our neighbors. I’m praying for revival for our community. Fast and pray. Pray and fast. Fast and pray some more. Jesus told the disciples they would see greater works than these, and then they did. That power is not dormant so may we harness it now. Jan 2nd is 40 days from now. May we be intentional for these next 40 days as we celebrate the birth of Christ and what that will mean for all mankind.
Lord, lift up those being true to the Word and sharing Gospel Truth throughout our city. We give thanks this week for those lifting You up in our neighborhoods, in Bartlett, Fayser, Raleigh, Whitehaven, Alcy Ball, Smokey City, Uptown, Downtown, French Fort, Nutbush, Parkway Village, High Point, Cooper Young, Arlington, Lakeland, Eads, Hacks Cross, Cordova, Vollentine Evergreen, Midtown, Orange Mound, River Oaks, Collierville, The Heights, and Germantown. Lord, there are more, so hear our prayers and answer them. May we know when and how to respond to Your call upon our life. May we move with boldness and courage, facing danger, knowing that death is defeated and we serve a mighty God.
Lord, as we enter this season of Christmas celebration, may families be reconciled. May churches open their doors. May men’s hearts grow softer towards those on the margins. May those who have shunned Christ or feel unrighteous and unworthy, come to know our Living God and enter into relationship with Him in these next few weeks.
Lord, may the men of The Four Way prayer lunch lead from the front in their homes, workplaces, and this community. Call and equip us. In Christ’s name, amen.
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Psalm 82 for Memphis
Psalm 82 A psalm of Asaph. 1 God presides in the great assembly; he renders judgment among the “gods”: 2 “How long will you[a] defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?[b]3 Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. 5 “The…
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Psalm 82
A psalm of Asaph.
1 God presides in the great assembly;
he renders judgment among the “gods”:2 “How long will you[a] defend the unjust
and show partiality to the wicked?[b]
3 Defend the weak and the fatherless;
uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
4 Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.5 “The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing.
They walk about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.6 “I said, ‘You are “gods”;
you are all sons of the Most High.’
7 But you will die like mere mortals;
you will fall like every other ruler.”8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth,
for all the nations are your inheritance.Lord, we pray for this city. We pray for the law enforcement that is here as part of the surge. We pray that children are found and criminals be brought to justice. We pray that our citizens can see what our community can be when not fearful of crime. We pray that we can improve upon this reset once the extra resources depart.
Lord, we also pray for the men and women doing these jobs to represent the best of man. With great power comes great responsibility. We pray that their actions and demeanor meet the moment, and see that those who doubt their value come to acknowledge and recognize their worth.
Lord, we pray for guidance as a nation as to how we want to care for our neighbor and for those who seek to be our neighbor. Lord, may solutions be brought forth by legislators that are in the best interest of the communities we live in and respect the dignity of the individuals who want to be here. Lord, take the politics out of it and show us how to work together.
Lord, we wrestle with the questions of right and wrong when it comes to the issue of illegal immigration. The problem seems too complex, for we have relationships where citizenship is unknown and we don’t want to ask. Lord, enlarge our hearts so we can get to the root, not without holding people accountable for their actions, but in a way that lessens the gray.
Lord, Memphis is a place that needs the Holy Spirit to cover it. May we be the hands and feet for Your Kingdom.
In Christ’s name, amen.
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Redeem Memphis
5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.” Acts 12:5 So much of Acts describes the early church a praying corporately. They fast, pray, worship, and are led by the Holy Spirit. They are intentional and specific with their prayers. When Peter was in prison,…
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5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.” Acts 12:5
So much of Acts describes the early church a praying corporately. They fast, pray, worship, and are led by the Holy Spirit. They are intentional and specific with their prayers. When Peter was in prison, they prayed for Peter to be out of prison. An angel delivered him. Specific prayer by the body of Christ, amazing answer.
Father, You are a loving God and want good things for Your children. Lord, we pray for a Memphis that is redeemed, where violence is replaced by love, where seeking numbness from this world is replaced by being present in it, where hopelessness gives way to the light of Christ.
Equip Your people. Use the increased law enforcement to stop evil and deliver justice. Do so in a way that rights are respected and those caught in the wrong may have a chance to repent and do right. Lord, we pray for humility of the officers but also righteousness. May they be the best of us.
Lord, we want a healed community where such ideas of increased law enforcement are not needed. We want our men and women to seek You, removing the sin in their own lives. Lord, we confess we have contributed to the glorification of this fallen world and we repent of it. Movies and music are made glorifying the inverse of Your creation. Lord, may that stop. May our heart song be for Your glory.
We ask for the speeders and recklessness to stop on 240, 40, 55, and 385. We ask that you protect the troopers pulling people over. We pray for illegal guns and drugs to be collected. We pray for murderers and rapists to be arrested wherever they are hiding. We pray for the US Marshals, DEA, ATF, MPD, and Shelby County Sheriffs that You cover them with Jesus’ blood for protection as they face evil. Guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Lord, rather than having to search out those hiding from the law, convict those perpetrators in their hearts that they may turn themselves in without incident. Protect those living in fear of the criminals, perhaps living under the same roof. Remove them from the trauma-inducing chaos of hurt people.
Lord, make Memphis a New Jerusalem. In Your name, amen.
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More Collegiate Schools Please
14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” – Matthew 19:14 The mission of The Collegiate School of Memphis is to prepare young ladies and gentlemen for college success within a highly structured, nurturing, Christian environment. I had a…
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14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” – Matthew 19:14
The mission of The Collegiate School of Memphis is to prepare young ladies and gentlemen for college success within a highly structured, nurturing, Christian environment. I had a chance to tour the school and hear from staff, students, and alumni recently. Awesome experience. The school is located a block north of Summer Avenue and offers a private Christian education for grades 6-12. They have a sliding scale for tuition and 100% of last year’s graduating class was accepted into a 4 year institution. Five students received Questbridge scholarships, covering all expenses, to Vanderbilt last year.
To see the success of a school serving 360 students with Christ at the center, I’m thankful, encouraged, and left wanting more. I want more students and parents to know what school can be like. Praise God for the work being done.
Lord, today we lift up The Collegiate School to You. We thank you for the way you are moving in that place, inspiring young minds, and encouraging adults. Protect that school and keep it on mission. Open doors for these young people.
We pray for the school staff, led by Dr. McKenzie Cohen, and the Board of Directors, currently chaired by Mr. Tom Marino, that they are seeking You in their decision making. May Christ be front and center and Your name be celebrated by way of the success of the community of The Collegiate School. We ask that You surround and encourage teachers and staff, that they may be witnesses to Your work and love. In Christ’s Name, amen.
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Growth in Raleigh
“6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:6 STAR Academy in Raleigh is building a garden. I had a chance to tour there today and am excited for the project. It is called Urban Roots Tennessee. They will incorporate entrepreneurship into the curriculum as students will…
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“6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:6
STAR Academy in Raleigh is building a garden. I had a chance to tour there today and am excited for the project. It is called Urban Roots Tennessee. They will incorporate entrepreneurship into the curriculum as students will have the opportunity to run a farmer’s market one day. They expect 50 raised beds. They will have native species flowers. They have a clear water pond that will hold bass and perch, and maybe even a catfish or two.
Jess Golden and Dr. Maddy Hunter are stwearding the program. Mr. Ed Stephens and his family started STAR Academy 20 years ago and have a legacy of being in the Raleigh neighborhood through Golden Gate Cathedral.
Lord, we lift up the work of this community to You tonight. So often we are removed from the bounty of Your creation, but we thank you for bringing this vision to life at STAR Academy. We lift up the school and the team of Urban Roots to You, that you may bless there work.
Grow the plants. Open the senses to these young minds as they learn how to garden. Make this garden a place of peace for the families and neighbors. Bring forth donors in time, talent, and money to bring this vision to fruition. Thank you for those who have already contributed. May this land be fruitful for generations.
In Christ’s name, amen.