Gracious Father, we come to you in the sin-covering, life-giving, heaven-opening name of Jesus Christ. We marvel that we get to commune with you, our gracious and merciful God. For the glory of your name, continue to fill Restoration Church with unity. Holy Spirit, bind us together and give us the grace to put our personal preferences below gospel priority. Holy Spirit, fill us afresh, and make our lives attractive with the beauty of the gospel. In our conversations with friends, neighbor, co-workers and classmates help us be wise, sensitive and grace-filled. Use our ministry to see people come to know and trust and treasure Jesus Christ.

This week, Lord, as Community Groups start back we ask that you would use our times together to help us delight in the supremacy of Jesus Christ. We praise you for the leaders and the hosts who serve us each week. Give N&A, H&L, D&M, K&N, J&T, B&M, D&J, R&S, H&K, L, C&T, W&T, myself and P, give us all a deep joy in using what you have given them to build up the body of Christ. Use our Community Groups as a place where we build each other up in maturity in Christ, a place where we mutually serve one another, and as a place where we encourage one another on our mission for Jesus.

We pray for the advancement of the gospel globally. Raise up indigenous believers and church planters among the BKs. We pray for our teams going overseas; use them Lord to be an encouragement to the workers on the ground. Use us, use our resources to get the gospel to the Ks. We pray for 20 Schemes as they labor to plant churches among Scotland’s poorest neighborhoods. Raise up many young men and women to give their lives to the schemes of Scotland. We pray for our brother A, M. For the glory of your name Lord, use them, use us, to plant a Spanish speaking church in Columbia Heights. Use us to see many people come to faith in Jesus. In your gracious providence, bring other men along side A to serve as leaders in this gospel work.

We praise Lord that we do not labor alone. We praise you for Capitol Hill Baptist Church and The Well in Silver Spring. Continue to grant faithfulness to Redemption Hill and Christ our Shepherd and Church of the Advent. Bless our brothers and sisters at Washington International Church and NCC and Redeemer Arlington.

And we all pray together…

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come, your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For yours is the kingdom,

and the power and the glory

forever and ever. Amen.