At Resurgence, we like to equip, encourage, and pray for pastors and leaders in various churches around the world. This week, let’s pray for God’s universal church as the gospel is proclaimed this Easter Sunday.

Today we’re going to take a break from our regular series. Instead of highlighting the story of God and his work through a specific local church, we’re going to take the time to pray for God’s universal church.

Jesus is building his church

Jesus’ church knows no borders. It is not confined by time, language, culture, or politics.

Jesus’ church has stood the test of time. It cannot be stopped by force, political pressure, or even political correctness. It has weathered tumultuous years and lived through multiple heretical diseases.

Jesus has been building his church, is building his church, and will continue to build his church (Matt. 16:18) until he returns in glory to redeem his bride. And absolutely nothing and no one can get in his way.

Jesus’ church knows no borders. It is not confined by time, language, culture, or politics.

The power of God for salvation

Jesus’ church is built upon his life, death, burial, and resurrection. It is through the proclamation of this message—the gospel—that the church visibly rises or falls. The gospel is of first importance for the church (1 Cor. 15:1–11) and will be proclaimed around the world this weekend through millions of churches with a variety of differences, but one common denominator: We are justified by grace alone through faith alone in Christ’s righteousness alone.

Today, the gospel of Jesus Christ will be proclaimed around the world. Today, the gospel of Jesus Christ will renew those who are burdened with sin and discouraged by the struggles of life. Today, the gospel of Jesus Christ will offer hope for those who have succumbed to the darkness of despair and helplessness. And today, the gospel of Jesus Christ will perform the greatest miracle of all: transform those who are dead in their sins into new creations in Christ.

Today, we encourage you to join us in prayer for Jesus’ Church around the world.

Jesus’ church is built upon his life, death, burial, and resurrection.

1. A Prayer of Praise

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Pet. 1:3)

2. A Prayer of Renewal

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Eph. 3:14–19)

3. A Prayer for God’s Will to be Done

“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” (Col. 1:9–10)

4. A Prayer for God’s Kingdom to Come

“And [Jesus] said to them, ‘When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.’” (Luke 11:2)

5. A Prayer for Perseverance

“May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Col. 1:11–14)

6. A Prayer for the Proclamation of the Gospel

“Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Eph. 6:18–20)

7. A Prayer for the Love of Christ

“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Phil. 1:9–11)