Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one  another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:25

Lord of the Sabbath,

You set an example for us in setting aside a day to rest when You created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. You set a precedent for Your Old Testament people in the Ten Commandments that they “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). Your New Testament saints changed the day of worship to coincide with the glorious day Jesus rose from the dead, and saints throughout the ages have faithfully come together to worship You every week ever since. And yet we are not always so faithful in attending church. We are liable to make excuses or choose other activities (even sleeping or “relaxing”) over regular church attendance. There are members who are on the rolls but rarely to never come. Lord, this ought not be. You do not desire that each of us go it alone in our Christian walk. In corporate worship we hear Your Word, confess our sins and receive absolution, and receive Your Sacraments. In church we mutually edify fellow believers, encouraging one another and bearing each other’s burdens. Forgive us for taking these gifts lightly. Forgive us when we choose other activities or priorities over regular worship. Forgive us when we go to church only grudgingly or out of a sense of resentful obligation. Help us to reach out to inactive members or those who attend sporadically, gently encouraging them to return to the church. Grant each of Your children opportunities to witness for You and invite others to come to church with them. Help our churches to be welcoming to visitors and new members, and gracious to members who return after significant absence. Further the spread of Your Gospel throughout the world, that all may believe in You and be saved.

I pray especially today for lax or inactive members of my own congregation… 

In Your name I pray. Amen.

For a full explanation of this challenge, see the post 12-Minute Prayer Challenge. If you are just joining us, feel free to continue on with us from the current day, or if you prefer, you can go back and start at Day 1.