A Note from Pastor Glenn
'Good Morning, God' Prayers and Scripture Guide
1. Start Your Day with Prayer
2. Start Your Day with Scripture
3. Pray in an Extended Way for Our Church, Our Community, Our World, and Our Own Lives

Dear LifePoint Church Family,

When Denys and I felt the call of God in 2006 to move to Harrisburg and start LifePoint Church, the task before us was huge. With no core group, limited resources, and uncertainty about the circumstances that led the prior church - a church that once met in our building - to close, we knew that God would need to move in a big way to get LifePoint started. It was at that time that I put together what I called my ‘Miracle Prayer List,’ ten big prayer needs that were so big that only God could make them happen.

And it’s amazing to look back on how God answered each of those prayers: how LifePoint got traction and grew, how we reached people who wanted a new start on their spiritual journey, how we started serving the community, and how we moved, first, to two services and then to three. Now, having built a new, larger auditorium and upgraded our facilities over the last several years, we’re on the verge of moving to three services yet again in our fantastic new space. God is working in and through LifePoint, and prayer – a part of the fabric of our church since its founding – has been key in unlocking God’s power and releasing His favor, which is why I am so excited to invite you to join me and the rest of your church family for 21 Days of Prayer starting on Sunday, August 11th, and running through Saturday, August 31st.

Over the course of the next few weeks, there are several ways in which you can participate in this 21 Days of Prayer:

You can pray individually, first thing in the morning. In this guide, you will find a section entitled 'Good Morning, God,’ which will help you get your day started with prayer and Scripture. ‘Good Morning, God’ only takes a few minutes to work through, and it’s a great way to kick right into a prayerful mindset each morning.
You can pray for an extended period of time during the day. We are also providing a ‘21 Days of Prayer’ prayer list which you can use each day for 15-30 minutes as you pray for our church, our community, and our world.
You can pray together with your Lifegroup. If you’re in a Lifegroup, we would encourage you to get together – even if you don’t meet during the summer – at least one time in the next few weeks to pray for the needs in this guide.
You can participate in our ‘24 Hours of Prayer’ event. You’re invited to join us for twenty-four hours of prayer starting at noon on Friday, August 16th, and running through noon the following day. Our hope is to have people sign up for 30 minute prayer slots throughout that entire period, so that, together, we can pray for our church for 24 hours straight. You can sign up to participate in our ‘24 Hours of Prayer’ event on the Church Center app today!
You can participate in our Wednesday Night Prayer group. You’re also invited to join the Wednesday Night Prayer group which meets here at the church every Wednesday at 7 PM in our West Wing Conference Room.

Prayer changes things. It unlocks God’s power. It’s key to our own growth. And I look forward to seeing how God works in your life and in our church in the coming days as we further ramp up our prayer lives together.

God bless You!

~Pastor Glenn

I. Start Your Day with Prayer

“In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and
went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.” - Mark 1:35

Take time each morning to invest in your spiritual health by thinking about God and focusing on Him at the beginning of your workday. Pray one of these prayers (or a variation of these prayers) every day for 21 days as you start your day.

Prayer 1: A Prayer for Humility and a Servant-Heart

Dear God, thank you for this new day. Go before me today and help me to sense your
presence, even in the midst of my busyness. Lord, help me not to become so preoccupied by the happenings of my day or the distractions of this world that I miss you, your voice, and the people that you place in my path. Help me to see the needs around me this day, and help me to offer whatever is needed of my words, my time, my talents, or my treasures to serve my neighbor, whoever they might be. Help me to grow in humility this day, dear Lord, so that I would not put anything else on the throne of my heart before you, nor think that I’m too busy or too important to serve those that I meet who need to see you in me. I love you, I praise you, and I commit this day to you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Prayer 2: A Prayer for a Gracious and God-Centered Life

Dear God, thank you for your goodness to me, for the strength that you provide, for the guidance that you give me, and for the grace that you show to me, even when I don’t get things quite right. I ask you to lead my life today. Help me to sense your presence with me, even when I have a busy agenda. Bring my thoughts back to you throughout the day. Show me how to stay in touch with you, to be more in tune with your voice throughout the day, and to follow the path that you have set before me. Help me to see the grace that you give abundantly to me more and more each day, so that I can show that same level of grace and forgiveness to others, even when it might be hard. Even when they might rub me the wrong way or actively cause trouble in my life. Speak to my heart, remake my mind, and, by the work of your Holy Spirit in me, help me to be a beacon of your grace and goodness in a graceless and unforgiving world. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Prayer 3: A Prayer for Community, Connection, and Mercy

Dear God, thank you that you have given me another day. Thank you for the family that you have given me in your church, in my brothers and sisters in Christ. Speak to me today. Lead my life. Keep me rooted in you. Bring to mind someone who needs encouragement and give me the words that I need to be a blessing to them. In the ways that I need encouragement, remind me of the words of your Scripture and let me hear your voice in new and fresh ways. Help me to grow in connection and in my relationship with you, dear God, and help me to find new ways to connect in community with other believers throughout my day and throughout the week for our mutual growth, support, and enjoyment. Thank you that, though you’ve made each of us different and unique, you still use all of us together as one body for the work of your Kingdom in our community and in our world. Help me – help all of us – to live for you so that those who see your people in their day-to-day lives will know that you are doing great things in and through them. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Prayer 4: A Prayer of Gratitude and Generosity

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for all the ways that you bless my life. In a world where it’s all too easy to get distracted and captivated by things and experiences that are here one moment and gone the next, help me, instead, to see how I can use all that you’ve blessed me with to serve your Kingdom and show love to my neighbor, instead. Help me to cultivate an attitude of gratitude for all the good things that you’re doing in my life. Help me to count my blessings, for you are a good and gracious God. Help me to remember that all that I have comes from you and that I’m simply a caretaker, not the producer, of what you have given me. And, Father, work within me so that I can live a life with an open hand, not a closed fist, that readily gives to others, just as you have so readily given to me. Speak to me today. Guide me today. Bless the work that I do. And thank you, Lord, for everything. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Prayer 5: A Prayer for Spiritual Growth and Christ-likeness

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for my salvation today. Thank you that I have the assurance of heaven when this life is over, and that I am free from and forgiven of my past sins. Thank you for loving me long before I loved you back. Thank you that you are helping me to become a better Christ-follower. Speak to me today. Show me an area where I can grow. Give me a new determination to allow your Holy Spirit to build positive change into my life and relationships. Help me to look more like you each day, in my words, my thoughts, and my actions – in every part of my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Prayer 6: A Prayer for a Bold Faith and Witness

Dear Lord Jesus, I’m so glad that I can start the day talking with you. I enter your gates with thanksgiving in my heart and your courts with praise. Thank you for this new day. I praise you, Lord Jesus, for your goodness, your grace, and your mercy. Please go before me today. Speak to me today. Help me to live my faith more openly so that those around me might become curious and want to know more about the hope that you’ve given me. Help me to hear your voice, even in the midst of whatever craziness that I experience today. Help me to live in a different way before my co-workers, my friends, and my family than I once lived before I knew you. Give me your boldness to live and speak and interact with others in such a way that it points them to you and stir their hearts to want to know you better. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Prayer 7: A Prayer for Unity and Peacemaking

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for this day. Thank you for this week, and for being able to start each day in conversation with you. With so much turmoil and chaos in this world, help me to find comfort and courage in you. In a culture where so many are consumed by anger, rage, and division – and in work environments that are so often defined by back-biting, discouragement, and negativity – give me a heart that is at peace and seeks to promote peace around me. Help me to see the good in our world, in others, and in myself, and not become focused solely on what is dark and broken. Where relationships are so often strained, much less shattered, and where ideologies drag people into constant conflict, guide me to be a bridge-builder, not a bridge-burner. Help me to turn the other cheek and offer forgiveness and understanding, as opposed to battling the people around me. Grow humility within my heart and help me to pull the reins on my pride and my ego. Help me, in all things, to be a peacemaker, in a world where peace is all too hard to find. Thank you for your example. Thank you for your words. And thank you for your Spirit’s guidance and help, each and every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

II. Start Your Day with Scripture

Take time each morning to invest in your spiritual health by reading and praying one of these Scriptures before you start your day.

Read and pray one of these Scriptures each morning before you start your day, once by itself and then again with the included prayer (in the parentheses) out loud.

Scripture 1: Psalm 23 (NLT)

A psalm of David.

The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. (Thank you, Lord, that you promise to provide all that I need.)
He lets me rest in green meadows; (Bring rest to my body, mind, and spirit today.)
He leads me beside peaceful streams. (Help me to experience the peace that only you give.)
He renews my strength. (Give me new strength that I did not have before.)
He guides me along right paths, (Guide my steps today.)
bringing honor to his name. (Help my life to please and honor you)
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. (Whenever I suffer loss or things don’t go well, remind me that you’re always with me, that you will never leave me or forsake me, and that you have a good future in mind for my life.)
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, (Help me to see the good even when times are hard. Help me to know that good things await for me in the days ahead, and that your unfailing love will prevail over any challenges or hardships in my life.)
and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. (Thank you, God, that a great future life awaits me.)

Scripture 2: Proverbs 3:5–8 (NIV84)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart (Help me, Lord, to trust you more today than I have in the past.) and lean not on your own understanding; (Forgive me when I only accept the things that I fully understand and don’t have more faith.) in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Help me to walk the paths that you want me to walk.) Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. (Help me, Lord, not to justify wrong things because others say that they’re OK. Show me what pleases you.) This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. (Thank you for the health, blessing, and prosperous future that awaits me as I obey and follow you.)

Scripture 3: Psalm 139:23–24 (NIV84)

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, (God, look inside my mind, my spirit, and my emotions and reveal to me anything that is negative or toxic, anything that isn’t good for me.) and lead me in the way everlasting. (Lead me away from negative attitudes, bitterness, and anything not of you to your path of blessing and light.)

Scripture 4: Matthew 6:25–27; 33-34 (NIV84)

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? (God, teach me not to worry about anything in my life, because you’ve promised to take care of me.) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (God, help me to seek you first and let you lead my life. Help me to use all that you’ve given me – my time, my talents, my treasure, and my energy – to make you evident to the world around me.) Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Help me not to conjure up worse case scenarios, but to live every day and every moment with you and for you.)

Scripture 5: James 4:8 (NIV84)

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (God, as I draw near to you today, please draw near to me. I want to sense your presence and power in new and ever-growing ways as I pray and seek your face.)

Scripture 6: 2 Timothy 1:7–9 (NIV84)

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. (God, help me not to have a timid faith or to let others control the level of devotion, passion, or commitment that I have for you). So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. (Please help me to be proud – not embarrassed – of my association with you and with God’s people.) But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, (Help me to suffer well for you, to be willing to take some flack for you, and to get some strange looks from others because I take you seriously.) who has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. (Thank you for your grace, which is changing me.)

Scripture 7: Isaiah 54:17 (NIV84)

…no weapon forged against you will prevail, (Thank you, God, that when the enemy or people want to hurt me, they will ultimately fail because I am your child.) and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. (Thank you that false words about me or against me will be refuted, no matter how many believe the slander.) This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD. (Thank you, God, that there will be a huge payoff in the end for my faithfulness to you.)

Scripture 8: Romans 8:28 (NIV84)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Thank you, Lord, that you are working all things out – the good, the bad, and the ugly – for my long-term good. Thank you that when I stand with you, I always win, even if it looks like I’m losing in the here-and-now.)

Scripture 9: Matthew 6:19–21 (NIV84)

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. (Help me to critique the materialistic values of the culture that pressure me to live for things that do not last.) But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Help me to use all that I’ve been given – my time, my talents, my treasure, and my energy – to advance your work in the world.) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (I pray that my heart does not hold tight to my ‘stuff’ here on this earth, but that it holds tightly to you and what awaits beyond this life as I live an open-handed, generous life.)

Scripture 10: Romans 8:37–39 (NIV84)

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Thank you, Lord, that nothing can separate me from your love.)

Scripture 11: 1 Peter 3:8-16 (NIV84)

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (Develop in me the character of my Lord Jesus, dear God, and help me to be a peacemaker, returning grace and love to others, even when I’m met with insults, injury, and evil, because I was in the exact same position as them before I met you.)

For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (Help me to resist the urge to strike back against offense or let my words and my attitudes run rampant in self-willed, self-defensive ways. This is the way of the old life, the old man, that you have saved me from, Lord. Help me to turn my back to these former things and grow in new life in you, instead.)

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”(Grow in me an absolute hunger to do good in all things, dear Lord, and the courage to stand firm, even if the whole world should turn against me, because you are always with me.) But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. (May I keep you, always, as the sole occupant of the throne of my heart.) Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (No matter the situation, no matter where I am or who I’m speaking to, help me to always find the words that I need to tell others of all that you have done for me, of what you have saved me from, and the hope that I have for the future, even when the rest of the world seems racked with chaos and darkness, in a way that doesn’t provoke or attack or belittle others.)

Scripture 12: John 13:34-35 (NIV)

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (Regardless of our differences and disagreements, dear Lord, help your church – and myself as part of it – not to draw unnecessary lines in the sand, but to live the same radical, self-sacrificial, others-serving love that you modeled for us in relationship with each other as a bold and tangible testimony of your presence at work within us!)

Scripture 13: 2 Corinthians 9:6-12 (NIV)

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (Help me, dear Lord, to be a glad and generous giver with all that you’ve given to me, not holding back anything for those who are in need or for the sake of the ministry of your church.) And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (Thank you for all that you give me, each and every day, both to meet my regular needs and so that I can serve and make use of all that you’ve provided for the sake of your Kingdom and the good of others.)

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. (Thank you, Lord, for your generous and giving nature and for how that character of yours is lived out in the lives of your people and the life of your church to make an impact on others and in our world for you.)

Scripture 14: Titus 3:1-7 (NLT)

Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. (Help me, Lord, to master my tongue and my mood when faced with people or situations that would lead me to anger or to speak out of turn, in ways that do not reflect you or your character. May I live at peace will all people, regardless of our differences, and, above all, show the world who you are through my words, my attitudes, and my actions.)

Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But—

When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. (May, in humility, I always remember what you’ve saved me from in my old life, what the new life that you’ve saved me for looks like, and make sure that I’m exercising the same grace and patience that you’ve shown to me to others in the hopes that they, too, might see the change that you can make in a person’s life. The change that you can make in a heart that welcomes you in.)

III. Pray in an Extended Way for Our Church, Our Community, Our World, and Our Own Lives

“The prayer of a righteous man or woman is powerful and effective.” - James 5:16

A. Pray for Our Congregation (2 Chronicles 7:14)

That we will be a congregation that connects people to Jesus and to one another as
we Gather, Connect, and Serve.
For those attending our church who are seeking God for the first time and have
recently accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord.
For the new people coming as guests each week.
For enthusiasm for our weekly services.
For God’s presence strengthening individuals and families.
For people to have the desire to invite others to church and share Christ with others.
For unity in our church during our very divisive times.
That we would be a lighthouse of God’s love to our communities
For a successful launch of three services on 9/22.
That all of our ministry teams will be fully-staffed and ready for 9/22.
For strength and endurance for staff, ministry leaders, and volunteers, so that they can persevere and thrive with the increased ministry pace.
That people would be bold in inviting friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and others to join us on Sunday mornings.

B. Pray for the Ministries here at LifePoint (Romans 12:10-16)

That our LifeGroups would grow, both numerically and spiritually, and that new people would rise up as group leaders.
That God would bless and work through the leaders of the various groups here at our church.
That God would bless and work in the lives of all those who participate in a group.
For all of the ministry teams here at LifePoint, that God would work through them to meet needs, bless lives, help people come to faith and grow to maturity as believers: Men, Women, 50 & 60 Somethings, Seniors, Food Pantry, Hospitality, Help for the Homeless, Safety and Security Team, Care Team, Meals Ministry, and others.
That God would bless and work through each of our ministry team leaders and their families.
That God would grow our LifePoint Kidz volunteer team so the ministry is fully-staffed for all three of our services starting on 9/22.
That children would be discipled, parents equipped, and families enriched through the work of our Kidz ministry on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings.
That youth would grow in their faith and place Christ at the center of their lives as they look to their futures and navigate a complicated period of life.
That all of us would grow in our commitment to use our time, treasure, and talents to
advance God’s work at LifePoint.
That we would become known in all our surrounding communities as a church that gives to others and cares about their needs.
That outreach events like the Easter Eggstravaganza, Vacation Bible School, and Family Fun Nights would continue to serve as excellent bridge events to introduce our community to who we are as a church and what God is doing here at LifePoint.

C. Pray for Our Staff and Strategic Vision Team (SVT) (Ephesians 4:11-16)

For our Staff – Glenn (Lead Pastor), John (Worship & Operations), Bill (Administration), Andrew (Ministry & Creative Arts), Jim (Youth), Jen (Kidz), Greg (Congregational Care), Jimmy (Worship Assistant), Chewy (Video and Media Intern) – that God would bless each of their lives with wisdom, joy, and high impact ministry.
For the members of our Strategic Vision Team (our church board) - Lee, Schmere, Shelly, Dustin, James, and Glenn – as they monitor our finances and make decisions regarding larger policy matters.
For the families of our staff and SVT, for grace and protection as they walk alongside and encourage their loved ones as they engage in the work of ministry.

D. Pray for Our Community and Nation (Acts 1:8)

That people around us would be stirred by God to think about spiritual things.
That our communities would experience spiritual revival, and that Satan would not
deceive and damage our friends, neighbors, co-workers, and families.
That people would sense the love of Jesus through our congregation.
That we would become known in all our surrounding communities as a church that
gives to others and cares about their needs.
That God would heal the broken hearts and shattered dreams of those around us.
That God would help us to tear down the walls that divide us and help promote connection and reconciliation with our friends, enemies, and neighbors alike.

E. Pray for Our Own Needs, Families, and Spiritual Growth (2 Peter 3:18)

That we would have a greater hunger to know and serve Jesus.
That God would draw us closer to Him.
That we would have great joy as we give of our time, talents, and treasure to advance Jesus’ work in the world.
That we will live out a bold and passionate faith.
That people around us would see positive change in our lives, and that we would have the courage to tell them that Jesus made it happen.
That He would give us wisdom to deal with any problems that we’re facing.
That He would give us wisdom as we take next steps on our spiritual journey.
That we would grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus.
That our children would know the Lord, love the Lord, and serve Him all the days of their lives.
That God would strengthen our relationships.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Start Your Day with Prayer

II. Start Your Day with Scripture

III. Pray in an Extended Way for Our Church, Our Community, Our World, and Our Own Lives