Lenten Season – Day 10 – Very Rev. Prof. Konyinsola Àjàyí, SAN

14th day of March – *Lent Day 10 – Prayer For Church Finances*

 

Father, we declare that we are blessed as a Church Family because we fear You, delight in obeying Your commands and believe that Jesus Christ is the encompassing power and authority after Your likeness, Father.  Father. Your command for us is that the storehouse of Your Church must be complete and overflowing to meet the needs of the Church and its sole mission as an embodiment of Your Son, the emanation of the Primordial Light Supreme – therefore, Lord, make all grace abound so Your Church may have all it needs for building up the body of the Church and reviving the image and impact of ‘The Church’ on humanity.

 

Father, according to Your word, I know that Your plans for the Church’s finances promise us a future and hope to build Your flock as we ought.

 

Grant that all Your elects may be abundantly blessed so they may sow generously into the Church willingly and joyfully as an act of thanksgiving – and thus without reluctance or compulsion.

 

Father, charge the Hosts of Heaven to be with me and work assiduously towards my success in all my endeavours, which may have enough to meet all my needs and my duty towards the Church.

 

God, the Father of lights, every good and perfect gift is from You, so I am confident You will open heaven’s inner and outer gates and pour upon Your Church flourishing riches.

 

Lord God Almighty, the Great I Am, grant that leaders of Your Church and all those concerned with the administration of its funds are blessed with righteousness, forthrightness, contentment and probity. Father, for those that have been chaste and honest but are now discouraged and disillusioned, keep them from losing heart, but instead, show them the need to carry on with the good work; keep them open and honest – keeping them above reproach, self-controlled, and content.

 

Help all those who are greedy and have brought challenges to the finances of the Church to turn away from their sinful ways; remove the love of money from their hearts, and make them honest in their dealings; and help them prove faithful with the things you have entrusted to them.

 

Father, take away from the Church all that is wrought of corruption, iniquity and sin; cleanse Your Church of illicit wealth and arrest the use of it by some as a vehicle for money laundering. Father, end the misuse of Church treasures for vain glory, personal aggrandisement, worship of man and mammon, and personal gain.

 

Free Your Church, Father Lord, of old mindsets, habits and behavioural patterns that have created lack and poverty in Your Church.

 

Lord God, have mercy on all branches of Your Church that have been errant and brought spiritual poverty and financial insolvency, impeding the Church’s work of serving You and making the world a better place.

 

May Your Church find sufficiency and wealth in all Your provision through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

 

*_Amen._*

 

 

 

 

 

*Patriarch’s Note.*

 

*A SELECTION OF KEY BIBLE VERSES* that aligns with  *Prayer for Church Finances.*

 

Following the verses, I’ve included some resonating anecdotes to help drive our prayers into the hearts of God’s People.

 

 

1. *Malachi 3:10*

*_“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.”_*

 

2. *2 Corinthians 9:6-7*

*_“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”_*

 

3. *Philippians 4:19*

*_“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”_*

 

4. *Proverbs 3:9-10*

*_“Honour the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.”_*

 

5. *Matthew 6:19-21*

*_“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”_*

 

6. *Psalm 37:25-26*

*_“I have been young, and now am old; Yet, I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread. He is ever merciful and lends, And his descendants are blessed.”_*

 

7. *James 1:17*

*_“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”_*

 

*Anecdotes Resonating With the Congregation:*

 

1. *The Generous Widow:*

 

In Mark 12:41-44, Jesus observes a widow putting two small copper coins into the temple treasury. He tells His disciples that she has given more than all the others because she gave out of her poverty rather than her surplus. This story illustrates that it’s not about the amount but the heart behind the giving. Encourage your congregation that every act of generosity, no matter how small, contributes to the greater mission of the Church and reflects their devotion to God.

 

2. *The Parable of the Talents:*

 

In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus shares the parable of the talents, where servants are entrusted with different amounts while their master is away. The servants who invest their talents are rewarded, while the one who hides his talent is reprimanded. This parable serves as a reminder that God expects us to use our resources wisely and faithfully, encouraging your congregation to be good stewards of what God has entrusted them.

 

3. *The Story of the Early Church:*

 

In Acts 4:32-35, we see the early Church sharing everything in common, where no one among them was in need. Their radical generosity showcased the power of unity and faith in abundance. This example is a powerful testament to the impact that a spirit of generosity can have on a community, inspiring your congregation to contribute to the Church’s financial health and support one another.

 

4. *Trusting in God’s Provision:*

 

At the inception of Christ’s Good News Mission, we embarked on the sacrificial empowerment of individuals and a few churches. Prayerfully, we experienced a miraculous provision that bought a few plots of land for stepping out in faith to give. When what you have is too little to complete your mission, it is but a seed!

 

These testimonies inspire confidence in God’s promise to meet our needs when prioritising His work through our tithes and offerings.

 

Your contributions to the Church support its mission and reflect your faith in God’s provision. Be encouraged to be one of the cheerful givers, trusting that God will bless your generosity and use your gifts to expand His Kingdom.

 

*_May the Lord bless your prayers and efforts for the Church’s finances during this Lenten season, in Jesus Christ’s Name._*

 

AMEN.