Dear Marshall Family,

Prayer is the most important aspect of searching for our next pastor. There are three areas that need a great deal of focused prayer. As you set aside time to pray, take a moment to read through the Scriptures provided and meditate on the truths found in them before incorporating those ideas into your prayer time. We believe that God provides wisdom and guidance as we commune regularly with Him, and we trust that you will take the opportunity to pray for and with us through this process.

Pray For the Pastor Search Committee:
Day 1. Psalm 66:18, John 15:5, Ephesians 5:18 | Pray for deep spiritual cleansing and fullness of the Holy Spirit in each committee member. Pray this for each member by name.

Day 2. 2 Timothy 1:14 | Pray for keen spiritual discernment, wisdom and strength for the Pastor Search Committee chairs.

Day 3. Amos 3:3, Matthew 18:19 | Pray for powerful unity and oneness of spirit within the committee.

Day 4. Proverbs 14:12, Isaiah 55:8-9 | Pray for God's clear direction during the process of collecting and examining resumes along with conducting interviews. Ask God to bring the right person to the committee�s attention.

Day 5. 1 Corinthians 2:10-16 | Pray for the Search Committee to have God's wisdom in all the questions they ask of the candidates and information they share with the prospective pastor. Spirit led thoroughness is essential.

Day 6. James 1:2-6 | Pray for the committee to have spiritual wisdom as to the unique characteristics and traits most needed for our church.

Day 7. Ephesians 5:17 | Pray for the committee to have no timetable but God's. They must be determined to find God's perfect will in God's perfect time.

Day 8. Ephesians 6:10-12 | Pray for the prevention of Satan's influence in misleading or rushing the search committee. (One of Satan's wiles is deception.) Pray for a powerful hedge of protection around the committee and their families.

Day 9. 1 Corinthians 1:10, Acts 2:1 | Pray for God's guidance in how the future pastor is presented to the church.

Day 10. Philippians 2:3-11 | Pray that the pastor search committee will place the needs of the church above their own individual desires. 

Pray For the Congregation:
Day 11. Jeremiah 29:13, James 4:8 | Pray that the pastor search period will be a time during which the church learns to seek God Himself more than just a new pastor. Lord, teach us to draw closer to Jesus and trust Him as the true head of the Church.

Day 12. Psalm 66:18, Psalm 139:23-24 | Pray for a powerful move of congregational cleansing and renewal. Father, please cause this to be a time of deep healing, cleansing and renewal in our church.

Day 13. Revelation 2:1-4, Revelation 3:15 | Pray for strong consistency and focus in the present ministry of the church. Please grant great power to our interim pastor and to our staff. Protect us from any spirit of lukewarmness or losing our first love. Remind us that we serve Jesus, not a pastor. 

Day 14. John 13:34, John 17:21 | Pray for a miraculous sense of love and unity among all members of the church. Help us surrender all bitterness, division and anger within our church family. Lord, empower us to love one another with a patient, forbearing love.

Day 15. John 17:21, 1 Corinthians 1:10 | Pray for great unity in calling the new pastor. Lord, help us to receive him and his family with deep love and renewed commitment. Grant us a powerful sense of revival and spiritual awakening as we move into the future. Pray for grace, guidance and strength for the church from which our new pastor comes.

Day 16. Ephesians 4:1-6 | Pray that we be prepared to make the necessary changes to embrace a new day of ministry. Lord, we understand that a new pastor always means changes. Help us to be prepared to change and grow with graciousness and unity.

Day 17. Hebrews 6:11-12 | Pray that we will patiently await God's timing and settle for nothing less than His perfect will. Ask God for His mercy in giving us a true man of God and a great leader.

Day 18. Philippians 2:3-11 | Pray that the church members will set aside individual expectations for the new pastor and decide in unity whom God is calling to lead Marshall Church. 

Day 19. Isaiah 42:9 | Pray that we would not make decisions based on previous experiences. Some churches struggle with wanting a pastor who is like their previous pastor. Others desire someone who is just the opposite. Pray that all would be receptive to God�s doing a new thing in the congregation. 

Day 20. Hebrews 13:17 | Pray that the church as a whole would trust the Pastor Search Committee through the process of finding a new pastor. Pray that the congregation would trust that the committee is being led by the Spirit as they search for the man God is bringing to MBC.  

Pray For the next pastor:
Day 21. 2 Timothy 4:1-5 | Pray that God would increase our next pastor's passion for preaching the Word of God. 

Day 22. Philippians 1:3-11 | Pray that God would give our next pastor a love for our church and the strength to leave his current position. 

Day 23. Colossians 1:9-12 | Pray for our next pastor's family. Of course, the new pastor may or may not have children. Pray that God, Who knows who they are, would strengthen and guide the new pastor's family as they are led toward ministry at Marshall Church. 

Day 24. Romans 12:9-13 | Pray that God would prepare our pastor to better shepherd our flock through the trials and blessings he is currently experiencing. 

Day 25. Romans 12:1-2 | Pray for the future pastor and his family to have absolute certainty in their sense of calling to our church. He must know God's direction. 

Day 26. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 | Pray for God's strength and guidance in the pastor's former church. Pray that those with whom he is currently ministering would trust God's plan for his servant in leading him to a new location of ministry. 

Day 27. Proverbs 29:18 | Pray that the new pastor will have a clear vision for how to minister to the people of Marshall Baptist Church and the surrounding community. 

Day 28. Luke 12:22-31 | Pray that the new pastor and his family will be able to smoothly transition to our church. This would include the needs of his wife and children in making new friends. Also involved would be physical needs such as housing, schooling, etc. that must be settled upon moving to a new area. 

Day 29. Psalm 133 | Pray that the new pastor would be able to work effectively with the deacons and other church staff that are already serving at Marshall Baptist Church. 

Day 30. Joshua 1:8-9 | Pray that God would protect the new pastor's heart as he prepares to leave his current ministry and move to a new ministry. Pray that the stresses of moving, meeting new people, maintaining relationships etc. would not interfere with his need to continually develop his personal relationship with God. 

Day 31. Colossians 3:12-17 | Above all, pray that God's will would be done through the entire process of finding a new pastor for Marshall Baptist Church. Pray that the Holy Spirit will give everyone involved in this process wisdom and peace. Pray that God will show us whom He is calling to Marshall Baptist Church.