Praying Scripture Over Synod

June 2023

Synod 2023 will be convening soon and those of us who are not delegates can still have an important part in Synod by praying for those who are in attendance. Scripture reminds us in James 5 that the prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective. But how do we know what to pray for? One good way to pray when we are not sure what to pray is to pray scripture. Praying scripture is a prayer practice that assures us we are praying in God’s will. Below are suggested scriptures for each day of Synod to guide your prayers. If the Lord brings others scripture passages to your mind, include them in your prayers as well.

Thursday, June 8: Philippians 2:1-2, “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”

Friday, June 9: Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Saturday, June 10: Matthew 20:26-28, “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Sunday, June 11: Ephesians 4:2-3, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Monday, June 12: James 1:19-20, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”

Tuesday, June 13: Colossians 3:12-14, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Wednesday, June 14: John 13:34-35, “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.”

Thursday, June 15: 1 John 4:7-8, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

May God richly bless you as you bless others through your prayers. To God be the glory!