September 2013 prayer guide APrayed4City

APRAYED4CITY SEPTEMBER 2013 PRAYER GUIDE
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving. " Colossians 3:23-24

This month AP4C is highlighting work.  It is our intention for believers from all ethnic, socio-economic and denominational backgrounds to unite in prayer and use this guide as a catalyst for on-going prayer and the advancement of Christ's Kingdom. 
Let these Scriptures and your time with God renew your heart for our Metroplex.  Please prepare your heart before you begin to pray through the AP4C categories.

 SALVATION
Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.  For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval. John 6:27
As Scripture says, Anyone who believes in Hi will never be put to shame. For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.  Romans 10:11-13
+Praise God for His work of salvation found in Christ and available to all mankind.
+Pray that those seeking employment will turn to God in the midst of their job search
+Pray that believers will serve as witnesses in the workplace by reflecting Jesus' character and by sharing the Gospel with their coworkers.
+Pray that the Lord will reap a harvest of people in the workplace who receive Christ
+Pray that churches will become a place people gather to find hope in Christ during their job search
+Continue to pray for the salvation of individuals within your sphere of influence

DISCIPLESHIP
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, i urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Ephesians 4:1
Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 1 Thessalonians 2:9
+ Pray that the Church will minister to the physical and spiritual needs of the unemployed and underemployed.
+ Pray that believers will obey God's word in the workplace by having integrity and also by treating their bosses and/or the people working under them with respect.
+ Pray that the thinking, conversation, and behavior of Christians in all sectors of society will conform to God's mission to use all work to contribute to the good of society
+ Pray that our churches and leaders will think of people in the workplace as missionaries and disciple them accordingly
+ Pray that believers will be thankful for their jobs and for their God-given talents and abilities that enable them to work
+ Pray that believers will give a tithe from their income and will be good stewards of the resources God has given them.

COMMUNITY
God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.  Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.  Genesis 1:28

They did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers, because the acted with complete honesty. 2 Kings 12:15

+ Pray that we will all use our freedom in Christ to worship and glorify God through our work and that we will see our workplace community as an opportunity to demonstrate His love, mercy, justice and self-sacrifice
+ Pray that people do not make work an idol, expecting their job to provide their value, identity and purpose in life.
+ Pray that people will volunteer their work-related skills and abilities to serve the needs of others in our community---where we live, work and play.

TRANSFORMATION

Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands that they may have something to share with those in need.  Ephesians 4:28

If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then i will let you live in this place, in the land i gave your ancestors for ever and ever.  Jeremiah 7:5-7

+ Pray that God will bring revival to workplaces throughout the Metroplex
+ Pray that God will move in the hearts of business leaders and employers so that they will not seek just to make a profit, but will seek to transform the city
+ Pray that Christian business people will get engaged in the city-wide efforts to improve issues, such as education and poverty, that create obstacles to opportunity
+ Pray that the leaders from all systems will collaborate to build a society where all may have work and find joy in doing it, for the good or our city and the glory of Christ's name.

THE STATE OF WORK
God is on the move in Dallas igniting Christians in every sector to work togerther toward shared goals.  Leaders in business, government, education, healthcare, nonprofit, and elsewhere are drawing together around common issues--the very issues we have been praying about this year:  poverty, hunger, education, immigrants, human traffickiing and others. 
Whether you consider yourself a leader or not, you are an important part of this movement.  Here are some things you should know:
You are useful to God no matter what job you hold
Your work product is contributing to society
Everything done in the public sector and social sector is funded by people generously giving a portin of their hard-earned wages.
In addition to your current job description, think about how you can use your education, professional skills, passions, connections, and 9-5 time for the good of the city.  There are many ways to come alongside individuals, families and even nonprofits who need the very resources you possess!
Think about how you can help level the playing field:
--Are there people in your workplace who need extra support in terms of communication, time management, organization and conflict resolution skills? Helping them protect their jobs could protect them from falling into poverty
--Is your company in a position to hire at-risk employees?  Think about setting aside 1-2 future positions for someone currently unemployed, with a record, or coming out of poverty
--Are there any changes that can be made to create a job?  Could you adjust your pay scale to create living wages at the bottom?  Could you offer emergency childcare, transportation or other assistance for those in need?
--Could you mentor a young person--possibly an inner-city youth or aspiring entrepreneur?
--Could you or your company invest in an inner-city start-up? Some industrious entrepreneurs are even finding ways to solve other urban problems like hunger. 

By 2030 60% of jobs will require a college degree.  If we don't all work together to make sure every child in Greater Dallas has access to a good education, poverty will continue to increase deteriorating our communities economically and morally.