As you begin your thirty minutes of prayer, please take a moment to reacquaint yourself with our vision for New York City. You can take a look around this website or watch our 3 minute campaign overview video.

This vision is about one big possibility: if a critical mass of New Yorkers lived their lives, made culture, in ways that expressed the gospel … it could change the fabric of the city. It might even change the world.

The gospel alone will propel Redeemer’s future and this vision requires a personal dependence on that gospel. Pray that you would keep the gospel at the center of all you do.

Ephesians 2:4-9
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

PRAYER

Lord, thank You for Your ever present Spirit. I remember that You did not withhold Your only Son from us, but gave Him for us all. Lord, cause my heart to be shaped by the gospel. I pray I would allow the gospel to transform my heart, identity and life.

Throughout the Bible, when God moves in someone’s heart with a new sense of resolve and calling, the Bible describes them as rising. To rise is both an act of obedience and faith – a response to a calling and a step forward toward a future not yet seen. We see examples of this throughout Scripture.

1 Samuel 1:10-12, 17-20 (Hannah’s call)
10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” 12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth.

17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. 19 They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 20 And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord.”

Confessing how easily you fall into prideful disbelief, lacking compassion for your neighbors and acting unmercifully towards those who desperately need mercy.

For a strengthened heart, committed to the gospel, so that you may see the wonderful works of grace throughout the whole of our city.

For renewal of mind, so that you can embrace the role that God has entrusted you with.

Fervently seek God’s help and discernment in how the Spirit is leading you to rise and serve in this time and place.

Ask for a spirit of generosity and courage as you consider how you might financially pledge to the campaign.

Thanking God for His ever present Spirit, remembering that God did not withhold his only Son from us, but gave Him for us all.

The vision to advance the good of our city cannot be accomplished by passive onlookers, but by all of us serving and engaging in new ways – starting in our neighborhoods and communities. Pray that we live out the implications of the gospel in deep, transparent community marked by boldness and humility.

Jeremiah 29:4-7
4 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

PRAYER

Lord, give our church community a common sense of purpose so that we can be known as a people that live out the gospel, faithfully serving others with love, hope and grace in their neighborhoods. Pray that we find great energy and joy living in the city as we see its beauty and brokenness through God’s eyes.

For the start of dozens of gospel-centered churches all around New York City – that these churches would love and serve their neighborhoods, care for the poor and marginalized and foster a setting for meaningful dialogue with seekers and skeptics.

For pastors and leaders, that embody the gospel, to rise and plant these new churches.

That the Lord would go before us and prepare the places and people throughout the city where He wants us to serve.

That everyone at Redeemer would develop a greater sense of calling and personal ministry in the city. Pray that we become agents of cultural renewal as God redeems business, art, education, government, healthcare and every vocation and institution.

For God to provide a permanent building to serve and welcome its neighbors and create a lasting home for the East Side congregation.

That this vision would indeed lead to an acceleration of the gospel movement in New York and the world.

Want to learn more about this exciting vision of gospel renewal for our city? Please click here to watch an introduction to Rise.