Download the Bethlehem Baptist Church Mobile App
Available for iOS and Android
Bethlehem exists to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ.
Key Texts: (see below)
This year, during prayer week, we invite you to pray for God to bless our church and all our congregation.
We’ve arranged this prayer guide, starting today with the mission and in subsequent days with the Five Discipleship Priorities, in order that you would ask God to bless you, your family and friends, and our church congregation for his glory and our joy.
Pray for God’s Grace to Accomplish our Mission
I am sure you have seen our mission statement printed in large letters on the east wall of the Sanctuary above the balcony. It’s printed there to keep our mission before us, lest we forget it or replace it with a lesser substitute. God, by his grace, has used that pithy statement to keep before us our all-satisfying God, to inspire us, to unite us, and to provide alignment in the diverse ways God has called us to live for his glory in our world.
The statement has deep biblical roots and flows out of our biblical convictions expressed in our Bethlehem Elder Affirmation of Faith. Our mission statement is not the only way to faithfully articulate a biblical vision for a local church; it is our way. And it is expressive of our church culture.
Below, I have broken down the mission statement and selected one text to kindle your petitions as you pray:
To spread...
And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.—Matthew 24:14
Prayer: Father, I praise you for ensuring that the gospel of your kingdom will be proclaimed to all nations. And I thank you for calling me, as part of your church, to co-labor with you in this glorious mission.
A passion...
...You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength…—Luke 10:27a
Prayer: Father, I thank you for removing my old heart of stone and giving me a heart of flesh that has real affections for you. Though, I confess that I fail to continually love you with the entirety of my being. Thank you for bearing patiently with my weakness. Please work in me so that my love for you is consistently the highest and most controlling love of my soul.
For the supremacy of God...
...at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father —Philippians 2:10–11
Prayer: Father, thank you for enabling me to bow the knee to your Son now, with a willing and happy heart. And I praise you that a day is coming when the whole world—even your enemies—will finally see and acknowledge the supremacy of the triune God.
In all things... So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.—1 Corinthians 10:31 Prayer: Heavenly Father, I long to live the whole of my life for your glory. I confess that I so often fail in this. Forgive me for living for lesser things, and please fulfill my resolve to no longer do so. By your sovereign grace, make yourself the supreme treasure of my heart. And may all that I do show that to be true.
For the joy...
...These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full—John 15:11
Prayer: Father, I thank you that you want me to be full of joy, and that you have gone to great measures to ensure that I can be. You sent your Son to speak words of life, and then to lay down his life, so that my heart might be full of his divine joy. Please fan that joy into flame today as I meditate on his words.
Of all peoples...
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!—Psalm 67:3
Prayer: Father in heaven, you are worthy to be praised, and you are worthy to be praised by all peoples! I long to see the day when redeemed men and women from every tribe and tongue and nation are gathered together around your throne to sing of your glory. Come, Lord Jesus.
Through Jesus Christ.
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.—Colossians 1:16–18
Prayer: Father, I draw near to you today, and the rest of this prayer week, and forever, through your Son. I thank you for giving me existence, redemption, future glorification, and every other good thing through him. Praise the name that is above all names—Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Pray the Five Discipleship Priorities
By the grace of God, the way we accomplish our mission together biblically is summed up in the Five Discipleship Priorities: Worship, Belong, Grow, Serve, and Go.
Sometimes we have been asked, “What does this mission look like in my daily life or in our lives together as a community of believers?” Our answer is that we are calling every member of Bethlehem to dedicate themselves to God through these priorities. These are not simply tasks to check off a list; they are biblical expressions of a life transformed by the gospel of God’s grace in Christ. At their core, each priority is to be a life centered on treasuring Christ in worship. Beginning with and being sustained by Christ, we devote ourselves to our fellowship, to growing in biblical wisdom and knowledge of God, to serving one another in love, and to spreading the gospel near and far—all for the glory of God and our joy.
Together, the Five Discipleship Priorities are the shape of our strategy to accomplish our mission. They are not isolated silos, but interconnected dimensions of a Spirit-empowered life. As you reflect on them, pray for God to deepen your love for his glory and equip you with grace to live more and more fully for his kingdom.
This week, we invite you to join us in prayer, focusing on one discipleship priority each day. Use this prayer booklet as a guide to seek God’s grace for our church to live out his mission through these priorities.
For the advancement and joy of your faith,
Pastor Kenny, for the Elders and Staff
Since God, by his grace, has given us new life to see his glory and know him through faith in Christ, let us devote ourselves to joyfully worship him in all of life, individually and corporately.
Key Text:But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.—John 4:23
Worship is foundational to our discipleship as followers of Jesus. In John 4, we find Jesus engaging a Samaritan woman in a conversation that leads to a powerful revelation: true worship is not about location or rituals but about the condition of the heart—worshiping in spirit and truth.
To worship in spirit means that our worship is energized and guided by the Holy Spirit. It is not mere outward conformity to religious practices but an inward, heartfelt response to the glory and grace of God. When we are born of the Spirit, we are given the ability to delight in God, love Him deeply, and express our worship authentically.
To worship in truth means our worship must align with the revelation of God as found in Scripture. True worship is rooted in God’s character, promises, and redemptive work through Jesus Christ. It is not about crafting an image of God that suits our preferences but worshiping Him as He truly is—holy, just, loving, and sovereign.
This kind of worship calls for a whole-life devotion. Whether in private moments of prayer and Scripture reading, or in the gathering of God’s people, worship is our response to his grace and glory.
Let us give ourselves to this discipleship priority: to joyfully worship God in spirit and truth, individually and corporately. And let us pray that God would deepen our worship as a church, making us true worshipers who treasure Him above all else.
Prayer: Father in heaven, I confess that you are worthy of my unceasing adoration. There is nothing in heaven or on earth to be more desired, more loved, or more praised than you. I also confess that I do not believe this as fully or consistently as I should. So I ask you this day to enhance my spiritual sight so that I might see your glory more clearly. I ask you to enlarge my heart so that I might rejoice in your glory more fully. And I ask this for all of my brothers and sisters here at Bethlehem. By your great power at work within us, may we all speak and live in ways that show the people around us how glorious you are. When they see our joyful worship of you, may they also desire to draw near and to taste and see that you are good. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Since God has chosen us and united us by faith into one body in Christ, let us devote ourselves to love one another in covenant-community.
Key Text:But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.—1 Peter 2:9
The world offers us forms of belonging that will not ultimately satisfy—tribalism, self-serving alliances, political parties, and communities defined by common causes or common enemies. But God, in his grace, has called us to a higher belonging: to himself—and being united with him we belong to his people, the Church. In Christ, we are given a new identity and a true community.
Peter reminds us of four glorious truths: we belong to a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people for God’s own possession. This identity is not earned but given, rooted in God’s sovereign grace. Once, we were alienated, wandering in darkness, but now we are God’s people, united by his mercy and chosen to proclaim his excellencies.
Belonging to God means belonging to one another. As the body of Christ, we are called to love, serve, and forgive each other in covenant community. This is not a passive association but an active commitment. It means showing up in one another’s lives, bearing each other’s burdens, and striving for unity in the Spirit.
Let us devote ourselves to this discipleship priority: to belong to God’s people and live out our identity as his treasured possession. Commit to your local church. Join a small group where you can know and be known. Together, we proclaim the glory of the One who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Prayer: Father, thank you for graciously calling me to yourself and to your Church. Thank you for securing a place for me among your treasured people by the blood of your Son. Would you help me to see the believers around me not merely as fellow church goers, but as eternal brothers and sisters? Help me to devote myself to loving them for your glory—to using my time, resources, and gifts to build up their faith. And help us all, the believers at Bethlehem Baptist Church, to maintain the unity that your Spirit has granted us through Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Since God has given us his Spirit to understand the Scriptures, let us devote ourselves to grow in the grace and knowledge of God, that we might mature in Christlikeness.
Key Text:Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.—1 Peter 2:2–3
The Christian life is a life of growth. From the moment of new birth, God calls us to grow in grace and knowledge, becoming more like Christ in character and conduct. Peter uses a vivid metaphor to describe this process: just as newborns crave milk to grow physically, so believers must long for the pure spiritual milk of God’s Word to grow spiritually.
Growth begins with a deep awareness of our dependence on God. Like infants, we cannot sustain or mature ourselves. God has given us his Spirit and his word, the essential nourishment for our faith. Through the Scriptures, we behold the beauty of Christ, understand his promises, and find strength for holy living.
This growth is not optional but necessary. It is evidence of spiritual life and the means by which God matures us in salvation. As we continually feed on his word, the Spirit works to transform us from one degree of glory to another, enabling us to reflect Christ in our thoughts, words, and actions.
What motivates this longing for God’s Word? Peter points us to the sweetness of our first encounter with God’s grace: “if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” Those who have experienced God’s goodness will hunger for more. This is the joy-filled pursuit of knowing God—not just about him, but intimately knowing him as our Father, Savior, and Sustainer.
Let us devote ourselves to this discipleship priority: to grow in grace and knowledge, feeding on God’s word and yielding to his Spirit. Pray that our church would be a community marked by spiritual maturity and ever-deepening love for Christ.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you for causing me to be born again—for giving me new desires and affections and longings for yourself. By your grace, I have tasted and seen that you are good. And I desire to taste so much more. Please help me this day and every day after to draw near to you through your word and through prayer, all in the power of your Holy Spirit. Give me eyes to behold wonderful things in Scriptures—namely, your manifold perfections. And as I behold Christ, may I become more and more like him. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Since Christ came to serve and lay down his life for us in love, let us, enabled by his grace, devote ourselves to serving one another in sacrificial love.
Key Text:If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.—John 13:14
At the Last Supper, Jesus modeled what it means to serve with humility and love. The King of kings, knowing his hour had come, knelt to wash the dirty feet of his disciples—a task reserved for the lowliest of servants. This profound act was more than a lesson in etiquette; it was a call to sacrificial service rooted in love.
Jesus’ humility points us to the gospel. Just as he stooped to wash His disciples’ feet, he humbled himself even further by going to the cross to cleanse us from sin. This ultimate act of service transforms us, enabling us to love and serve others.
As followers of Christ, we are called to imitate him by meeting real needs with a servant’s heart. Serving is not merely a ceremonial gesture, but an expression of Christ’s love working through us. We serve because we have been served by Jesus.
In John 13:34–35, Jesus says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” This love—selfless, sacrificial, and practical—is how the world will know we are his disciples.
Let us devote ourselves to this discipleship priority: to serve one another in sacrificial love. Look for opportunities to meet the needs of those around you, whether by offering encouragement, practical help, or a listening ear. Rely on God’s grace to empower you to serve faithfully and joyfully.
Prayer: Father, thank you for sending your Son into the world “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). Please help me to follow him by likewise pouring myself out in sacrificial service to others—especially to those of the household of faith. Grant me the sanctifying grace I need to be concerned not only for my own needs, but also for the needs of the people you have placed around me. Help me to steward my time, resources, and spiritual gifts for their Godward good. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Since the Lord Jesus Christ has commissioned us to make disciples, let us, in confident reliance on his enabling presence, devote ourselves as a church to go in compassion to the peoples in our neighborhoods and the nations. Key Text: Jesus said to him, ‘Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’—Luke 9:60 The call to follow Jesus is a call to GO—into our neighborhoods, workplaces, and even to the nations. Jesus makes it clear in Luke 9 that following him requires absolute commitment, a reordering of priorities, and a willingness to sacrifice earthly comforts and attachments for the sake of his kingdom. Three would-be disciples in this passage demonstrate how competing desires can hinder our obedience to Christ’s call. One desires comfort and security, another feels tied to family obligations, and the third struggles with a divided heart. In response, Jesus calls each one to a singular focus: treasure him above all else and proclaim his kingdom without hesitation or delay. This same call comes to us today. Christ has commissioned us to proclaim the good news of his kingdom wherever we are and wherever he sends us. This mission requires both urgency and self-denial. It demands that we view our earthly homes, obligations, and relationships through the lens of eternity.To GO is to live as ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), proclaiming the gospel with compassion, courage, and clarity. It means laying aside our comforts, embracing the cost of discipleship, and trusting in Jesus’ promise to be with us always (Matthew 28:20). Let us devote ourselves to this discipleship priority: to GO in obedience to Christ’s call. Pray for the salvation of friends and neighbors. Give generously to support the advance of the gospel. And ask God for the courage to share the hope of Christ wherever he leads. Prayer: Father in heaven, thank you for calling me to labor with you in your mission to magnify yourself by transforming sinners into worshippers. Please grant me power, by your Holy Spirit, to go and proclaim your glorious gospel with boldness. Help me not to fear what man might do to me or think of me as I testify to your truth. Rather, help me to trust in your sovereign care for me as I seek the highest good of the lost people around me—namely, their reconciliation to you through Jesus Christ. It’s in his name that I make these requests. Amen.
Key Text:Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.—Ephesians 3:20–21
As we conclude this week of prayer, we invite you to reflect on all that we have sought God for in the past six days. We began with our mission to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ. From there, we considered how God calls us to live out this mission through worshiping, belonging, growing, serving, and going, all in accord with our doctrinal convictions expressed in the Elder Affirmation of Faith.
Today as you pray, weave all these together into one final prayer expressing our utter dependence upon God and his all-sufficient grace. May God be glorified in us, and through us into the world as he works in us that which is pleasing in his sight at Bethlehem in the year ahead.
Prayer: Father, I want to live a life of worship. I want to pour myself out for the good of others. I want to do all that you command me to! But I feel my utter weakness. I know that, in and of myself, I am incapable of living a life that is pleasing to you.
But I also know that you are pleased to make much of your power in weak vessels. So I ask you to do just that.
Make much of yourself by granting me power to love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Glorify yourself by granting me power to love my neighbor as myself. Please, Father, cause my life to bear fruit for the glory of your Son. In his name I pray, amen.