Week V, Focus on Core Values & Focus

Divine Leadership

Pursue God (Presence Driven)

     Lord, we come before You, longing for Your presence above all else. Let our hearts thirst for You as the deer pants for water. We seek You with our whole hearts, knowing that in Your presence is fullness of joy and strength for the journey ahead. May Your presence drive us in everything we do, as we set our hearts on You, Lord.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

• Psalm 42:1 – “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.”
• Jeremiah 29:13 – “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Holy Spirit Led (Pursuit of God’s Heart for Others)

     Holy Spirit, guide and lead us in everything we do. Teach us to pursue the heart of God for others, that we may reflect Your love and truth to the world. Empower us to follow Your leading, and give us the sensitivity to hear and obey Your voice in every area of our lives.  In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

• Romans 8:14 – “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”
• John 16:13 – “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.”

Lead by Example (Relationship & Unity)

     Father, make us leaders who reflect Your heart in our actions. Help us to lead by example, in humility, love, and unity. As we follow You, may others be drawn closer to You by the way we live. Teach us to build relationships that honor You and promote unity within the Body of Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

• 1 Peter 5:3 – “Not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
• 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.”

Be Spirit-Filled (Commitment to Growth)

     Lord God Almighty, fill us continually with Your Holy Spirit. Let us be a people committed to spiritual growth and maturity, not satisfied with the status quo but always seeking more of You. We ask for fresh infilling and empowerment as we walk out Your will for our lives and ministries.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

• Ephesians 5:18 – “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
• Galatians 5:25 – “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

Spiritual Depth

Encounter WORD & SPIRIT (Presence Driven)

     Father, as we encounter Your Word and Your Spirit, transform us. Let Your Word be living and active in us, dividing soul and spirit, bringing clarity and revelation. Let us worship You in spirit and truth, encountering Your presence as we grow deeper in Your Word.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

• John 4:24 – “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
• Hebrews 4:12 – “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword…”

Love Like Jesus (Pursuit of God’s Heart for Others)

     Lord God Almighty, teach us to love as You love, as Jesus loves. Help us to pursue Your heart for others with compassion, grace, and mercy. Let our love be a testimony of Your love in us. Empower us to love even when it’s difficult, showing the world the depth of Your unconditional love.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

• John 13:34 – “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
• 1 John 4:19 – “We love because he first loved us.”

Give Generously (Relationship & Unity)

     Father, cultivate in us a heart of generosity. May we give freely, just as You have freely given to us. Let our giving bring unity and strengthen relationships within our church and community. Teach us to share our resources with joy and to always be a blessing to others.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

• 2 Corinthians 9:7 – “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
• Acts 20:35 – “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Discipleship (Commitment to Growth)

     Lord, as we commit ourselves to growth, make us disciples and disciple-makers. Let us not only grow in knowledge but also in our ability to teach and lead others to You. Help us to follow Your example in discipling those around us and leading them closer to Your heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

• Matthew 28:19 – “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
• 2 Timothy 2:2 – “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”

Legacy Builders

Engage in God’s Presence (Presence Driven)

     God, we desire to be constantly engaged in Your presence. Let Your presence guide us, fill us with joy, and bring us rest. Help us to cultivate an atmosphere of worship and awe in Your presence, where we can hear from You and be transformed.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

• Psalm 16:11 – “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
• Exodus 33:14 – “The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'”

Fulfill the Great Commission (Pursuit of God’s Heart for Others)

     Father, give us the boldness to fulfill the Great Commission. Let us be moved by Your heart for the lost and empowered by Your Spirit to share the Gospel with those who have not yet heard. Guide us as we reach the nations with Your truth.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

• Mark 16:15 – “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'”
• Matthew 24:14 – “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

Leave a Legacy (Relationship & Unity)

     Lord, help us to live lives that leave a lasting spiritual legacy. May we model Your goodness and faithfulness to the next generation, passing on our faith and love for You. Let the impact of our lives be felt for generations to come, all for Your glory.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

• Proverbs 13:22 – “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children.”
• Psalm 145:4 – “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.”

Pursue Freedom & Liberty (Commitment to Growth)

     God, we pursue the freedom that You have purchased for us through Christ. Help us to walk in liberty, free from the bondage of sin, fear, and condemnation. Let us live in the freedom of the Spirit, constantly growing in faith and maturity.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

• Galatians 5:1 – “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”
• 2 Corinthians 3:17 – “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

Community Empowerment

Intimacy with God (Presence Driven)

     Lord God Almighty, as we draw near to You, let us grow in intimacy with You. Help us to seek Your face above all else and to make You our refuge. We desire to know You deeply and personally, and we ask that You reveal more of Your heart to us as we press into Your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.  

• James 4:8 – “Come near to God and He will come near to you.”
• Psalm 73:28 – “But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.”

Engage Community (Pursuit of God’s Heart for Others)

     Father God, teach us to be intentional about engaging our community. Let us not grow weary in meeting together, but instead, may we encourage and spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Help us to love our community as You love us and to be a light that draws others to You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

• Hebrews 10:24-25 – “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.”
• Romans 12:10 – “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

Live Like Family (Relationship & Unity)

     Lord God Almighty, build us into a family that reflects Your love and unity. Help us to live like family, supporting, encouraging, and strengthening one another in our faith. Let our relationships be marked by unity, love, and a deep commitment to fellowship.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

• Ephesians 2:19 – “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household.”
• Acts 2:42 – “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Empower and Equip (Commitment to Growth)

     Father God, we ask You to empower and equip us for the work of the ministry. Help us to grow in our giftings and to be equipped for the service of others. Strengthen us to build up the Body of Christ, and empower us to teach, lead, and serve those You have placed in our care.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

• Ephesians 4:11-12 – “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”
• 2 Timothy 2:2 – “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”

Servant Leadership

Honor the Lord (Presence Driven)

      Our Gracious Lord, we seek to honor You with all that we are. Let our actions, words, and lives reflect the honor due to Your name. Teach us to put You first in all things, offering You the firstfruits of our lives and ministries. May our leadership be a testament to Your greatness.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

• Proverbs 3:9 – “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.”
• 1 Samuel 2:30 – “Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.”

Honor Others (Pursuit of God’s Heart for Others)

     Heavenly Father, help us to honor those around us, treating each person with the dignity and love that comes from You. Let us be a people who honor others in the same way that we honor You, showing respect and love as we pursue Your heart for the world.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

• Romans 12:10 – “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
• 1 Peter 2:17 – “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.”

Prioritize Unity (Relationship & Unity)

      Precious Lord, we pray for unity within our church and our community. Help us to prioritize unity, making every effort to live in peace and harmony with one another. May our unity reflect Your love to the world, and may it bring glory to Your name.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

• Ephesians 4:3 – “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
• John 17:23 – “I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

Serve and Minister (Commitment to Growth)

     Heavenly Father, as You came to serve, so we commit ourselves to serve others. Teach us to use our gifts for the building up of Your church and the blessing of those around us. May we be faithful stewards of the grace You have given, ministering to others as You have ministered to us.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1 Peter 4:10 – “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

Mark 10:45 – “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”