We join you in petitioning our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is in His name that we have access to the Father. As it is written in the book of John, "Most certainly, I tell you, whatever you may ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full." John 16:23-24 (WEB). We pray for every member of the body of Christ, as well as those who will come to faith in the future, that they would be blessed with long lives of service to the Lord. May their lives be a testament to His faithfulness, and may they bring glory and honor to His name.
However, we also recognize that our lives are in His hands, and His will is ultimately what will be done. As Job said, "Yahweh gave, and Yahweh has taken away. Blessed be Yahweh's name." Job 1:21 (WEB). We pray that each member of the body would be willing to live or die for the Lord, as He wills. We pray that we would all be able to say, along with the Apostle Paul, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21 (WEB).
We also recognize that the days are evil, and the return of Christ is imminent. We do not wish to contradict prophecy or hinder the Lord's will by our prayers. As Jesus himself prayed, "not my will, but yours, be done." Luke 22:42 (WEB). So, we ask for long lives of service, but ultimately, we ask for His will to be done in each of our lives.
We encourage each member of the body to live each day for the Lord, to be ready for His return, and to be willing to go or stay as He wills. We pray that each one would take to heart the words of the Psalmist, "So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12 (WEB).
Finally, we pray that each member would be empowered by the Holy Spirit to live lives worthy of the calling they have received, that they would bear much fruit for the kingdom, and that they would finish their race with joy."Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw near, when you will say, 'I have no pleasure in them;'" Ecclesiastes 12:1 (WEB).
We pray all of this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Savior, as he is the only name by which we can be saved."For there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!" Acts 4:12 (WEB).