Welcome to day 16 of our month of praying and fasting together. My name is Lorna, part of the Manchester central campus.
Today we’re praying for those in church who are single, and this also includes those divorced and widowed.
“I WILL NEVER [under any circumstances] DESERT YOU [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], NOR WILL I FORSAKE or LET YOU DOWN or RELAX MY HOLD ON YOU [assuredly not]!” Heb 13:5 amp
What a comforting and empowerful verse for anyone who is single or for those who feel like they’re alone.
In order to walk the single path well, as a child of God, we have to know we’re not alone, that He is with us.
We’re going to pray into 3 areas:
IDENTITY
It’s so important that those single are fully established in their identity in Christ. We are children of God first and foremost. It’s who we are, we’re the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
We are bombarded by messages in the world, that singleness equals inferiority.
Countless movies, TV shows, books and magazines focus on romance, love, relationships and family life.
When we’re not secure in who we are in Christ, those messages can overpower us so we want to pray that single people know who and whose they are, and have such a massive revelation of the love of God.
BELONGING
Church, please can you pray that single people have a sense of belonging in church?
Many singles can come to church and feel they don’t fit in. However, God hasn’t called us to fit it, He calls us to belong.
Church is a place of unity, not isolation.
There’s a couple in the East region called Phil and Louise; they regularly invite single people for meals, exemplifying kingdom living.
Such connections and inclusivity are crucial for keeping singles engaged in church life. It supports them to feel seen, heard and loved.
It starts with joining a small group or a team
In addition to belonging, God desires for us to build deep, meaningful friendships. In the absence of a spouse, these relationships are vital.
We see this with David and Jonathan and the brotherly bond they shared, the love and loyalty of Ruth and Naomi. Even Jesus had a close inner circle.
BREAKTHROUGH
This doesn’t apply to everyone single, but some single people would love to be married so church, can you stand with them and pray for a breakthrough, that God would direct steps and provide those opportunities.
More than this, can we pray that those single would develop Godly characteristics that make them desirable?
Pro 19:22 says men are desirable when they are kind. Some translations translate this as being full of grace, loyal or possessing unfailing love.
Other character traits would include walking in forgiveness (Heb 12:15), a peaceful demeanour towards others (Pro 22:24) and a generous spirit. (Pro 11:25)
And for women:
Prudent women are from the Lord. (Pro 19:14). Later in Proverbs 31 we’re given several qualities that would make a woman attractive such as being virtuous, possessing loving-kindness and being servant-hearted for example.
So we’re praying that Audacious church would be an environment filled with men and women of God who exemplify the Godly character traits needed for all their relationships.
“Father, we thank you for every single person in Audacious church, that your hand is upon them, that you have a plan and a purpose. We pray they would grow in their intimacy in you and that they would know who they are and whose they are. God, would you bless them today, in Jesus name, Amen.”
Thanks for your prayers today Church and for carving out time.
Hope you have a great rest of the day.
Lorna Penn
