May the Lord continue to show His goodness and mercy always to Grace Covenant EC. May his mercy and goodness come in the form of encouragement in times of spiritual sorrow, greater faith in moments of doubt, and rebuke in times of discipline. Conversely, may He strengthen His people and make them mindful of the value of godly discipline and leading. Also, may the church grow in being distinct from the world in love and holiness, even as it engages outsiders and others who would have questions about our faith.

May the elders remain faithful in using Scripture to train members to do the work of ministry. Also, that the elders would remain above reproach, kept from temptation, complacency, idols, and worldliness. May the Lord’s guiding and protective hand always be upon the church elders as they execute their God-given duty to serve as spiritual leaders to the flock.

May the deacons continue in the spirit of faithful service to the congregation, exercising godly stewardship of the church in their meeting the physical and material needs of Grace Covenant EC.

May the church have that hunger for studying the gospel so that they can guide and guard one another in it. That this hunger would also be passed down to our Covenant Kids, that they would develop the same zealous desire for God’s word and grow in humble love and care for the members of the church.

May the Lord protect the pulpit of GCEC, that the preaching of God’s Word would continue to be biblically careful and Holy Spirit imbued. May the Lord also guard the ears of His holy ones, that they would be more than just hearers of the Word but also doers of the Word.

That the church’s different expressions of worship would reflect the ever present work of the Spirit in molding His people in Christ. May our songs teach members to biblically confess, lament, and praise. May our prayers be infused with biblical ambitions, honesty, and humility. May our listening to the preaching of His word make us open and willing to obey His will. May our witness be one that showcases the hope of heaven.

May the church continue faithfully in “being in the world, but not of the world, that it would grow in being distinct from the world in love and holiness, even as it engages outsiders. That members would share the gospel faithfully—and see more people coming to Christ in saving faith.

May the church continue to be one body. May the members remember to be united in the essentials, to express the spirit of liberty on the “non-essentials,” and to be charitable in all things.

Adapted from The Gospel Coalition
Picture credit: First Baptist Church Covington
Updated: 20240709