Prayer for the Body of Christ

As human beings, we often seek belongingness in groups. Whether it’s with a family, sports team, or other niche community, we all want to engage and share thoughts with like-minded individuals.

This search for oneness is also present in the church, where believers find a deeper connection with other Christians through fellowship and shared growth. That's why Scripture refers to the collective church as the "body of Christ," demonstrating the identity and unity Christians have together (1 Corinthians 12:27).

So, when someone prays for the body of Christ, they are effectively praying for every Christian worldwide. They aren't praying for individual churches – they’re praying for all believers that wholly form the body of Christ.

Let’s discuss this topic in more detail.

Why are Christians Called the Body of Christ?

Scripture has used several metaphors to describe its people, including the “bride of Christ” (Ephesians 5:24-27) and the “body of Christ” (Ephesians 1:22-23), where the only qualification to become a member is to believe in God – no amount of good works can earn you a ticket (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Everybody who joins the group is also baptized, indwelt, and sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14), making them permanent members of Christ’s church. They should then use the gifts they receive from God to build the body of Christ, becoming good stewards of His blessings and resources (1 Corinthians 12:4-7).

Calling Christians the "body of Christ" was significant in the past, when writers of the New Testament wanted to emphasize that there is no distinction between Jew or Gentile, enslaved person or free, male or female in Christ, as everybody can believe and receive God's salvation (Galatians 3:28).

More than having the same identity, God also wants Christians to be united, live in harmony, and be like-minded in their thoughts and actions. Everybody has a unique function but should work together to glorify God.

In a way, the metaphor “body of Christ” helps Christians understand that they are mere “limbs” and Christ is the head, incarnate Lord over all. He literally came from Heaven, took on human form, saved humanity through crucifixion and resurrection, and revealed His commitment to making all things new through His body. 

Calling believers the body of Christ celebrates this metaphor, reminds believers of their identity in Christ, and helps us understand that we are grafted into and rebirthed in Him. 

His “body” lives according to God’s leadership, extending His love to others. Many believers today often pray for the body of Christ – a manifestation of Godly love and compassion.

What Do We Pray for in the Body of Christ?

Christians pray for the body of Christ because they believe that God hears prayers and will work through His people to bring healing and salvation to the world. Doing so is essential to a Christian's life, as it helps them show Godly love for others and reminds them that they are part of something bigger than themselves.

Here are eight reasons praying for the body of Christ is a crucial part of every Christian’s spiritual journey. According to the Bible, believers are called to:

• Be united in Christ (John 17:20-23), as when one asks for understanding and wisdom in the church to minimize clashing of personal opinions and stands.
• Love one another (John 13:34-35), as when one asks God for help in loving the unlovable, being gentle and kind, and showing His love through words and actions.
• Protect ourselves against the enemy's attacks, as when one asks for guidance and discretion in separating truth from fiction to draw closer to Christ (Proverbs 2:11-21).
• Expand the Kingdom of God (Ephesians 4:11-16), as when one asks God for the strength to evangelize and reach more people for Him, using the church's resources to share the gospel.
• Serve one another (1 Peter 4:10-11), as when one asks for spiritual gifts to use, opportunities to serve, and the humility and commitment to perform acts of service.
• Instruct and teach one another (Colossians 3:16), as when one asks for wisdom in teaching His truths, singing to Him with gratitude, and living out our faith.
• Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21), as when one asks that God help us have a teachable attitude and be eager to learn and grow in our relationship with Him.
• Build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11), as when one asks that God helps us encourage and edify others instead of tearing them down and have the ability to grieve with those who are hurting.

Praying for the body of Christ allows believers to work and build one another up in the faith. It will also enable Christians to draw closer to Christ, seeking His guidance and strength for every individual and collective life.

How to Pray for the Body of Christ

Praying for others isn't too different from praying for oneself. The main difference is that we're interceding on behalf of someone else. If you’re unsure of where to begin, the Bible gives us examples of men and women who prayed fervently to God, becoming role models for us to follow. Here are some prayer points we’ve lifted:

• Pray that churches would be unified in Christ (Ephesians 4:13) and become witnesses of God's faithfulness, authority, and unconditional love at work in His people.
• Pray that God would grant wisdom and understanding to church leaders, so they can make decisions that honor Him, reflect His character, and protect His people (Mark 10:42-45).
• Pray that believers would be quick to listen and slow to speak to avoid division and confusion with fellow Christians in the church (James 1:19).
• Pray that Christians would be generous with their time, talents, and resources, so the church can effectively minister to those in need (1 Peter 4:10-11).
• Pray that Christians are filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), so they can overcome difficult times, understand how God works in their lives, and share the gospel boldly.
• Pray that God would give His people a heart for evangelism (Ephesians 4:11-16), so they can boldly proclaim the gospel to those who are lost, working in His name to bring healing and salvation worldwide.
• Pray that God would raise more laborers for His harvest field, so the gospel can reach other people who have not heard the Good News of true salvation (Matthew 9:35-38).

Praying for the body of Christ is a way to show love for other Christians, seek God's will for His people, and testify of His love to non-believers. It's also a reminder that we are all working towards a common goal: glorifying God. We're not alone in our faith journey as part of God's redemptive work in the world.

Examples of Prayers for the Body of Christ

There is no memorized prayer or standard template for praying, so praying for the body of Christ can be done in several ways. What's more crucial is that Christians pray with humility, patience, and an openness to accept and understand that God works in everyone differently.

If you want an example to follow, here is what a prayer for the body of Christ could look like:

"Heavenly Father, we come to You today asking for Your guidance and strength. 

We know that we are not alone in this world – we are part of the body of Christ. Help us to remember that and to love one another as You have loved us and become a reflection of Your unfailing and unconditional love.

We also ask that You protect us from the enemy's attacks. Please give us the wisdom to discern truth from fiction and to stand firm enough in our faith to follow through. We know You are a faithful and just God, and we want to live according to Your will. 

Finally, we ask that You help us to grow spiritually and in numbers. Help us to evangelize and reach more people for You. Use the church's resources to further Your kingdom, as we are fully committed to being your servants.

You alone are the God we serve. We love You, and we thank You for listening to our prayers.

In Jesus' name, amen."

The Ultimate Belongingness in Christ Alone

God welcomes anybody who wants to become part of His big family. And, once you're part of it, you’ll experience a unique and spiritual belongingness that trumps any worldly membership with a team, party, society, or association. 

Christians are followers of Christ, striving to love and serve fellow believers, just like Christ has done.

"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." (Romans 12:3-5)

Take some time today to pray for the body of Christ. Close your eyes and pray that God enables, strengthens, and works through His people to further His will. Doing so is essential to your walk with God, as it puts your heart, soul, and mind in the correct perspective.