Pray for what?? (Part 2 of 2)

(Part 2, follow up on Pray for what??)

“Pray for volunteers.”  What do you pray for?  We’re looking at the Living Sacrifices verse in Romans 12:1 and the passage that follows.

8.  Pray for volunteers who see the needs of other believers and help to meet them (v. 12).  This may mean financial generosity, but it can also mean providing transportation for another volunteer, opening their homes to meetings, or bringing healthy snacks instead of sugary treats for volunteers who struggle with health issues. Ask God for people who welcome people into their homes, into their hearts, and into their church family.

9.  Pray for volunteers who are emotionally engaged with others (v. 15).  Volunteers don’t need to wear their hearts on their sleeves — and some volunteers need guidance in knowing how much info is too much.  Ask the Lord to give you volunteers who care enough to care — who can laugh and cry and create safe space and give support.

10.  Pray for volunteers who are on the same page — who bring their eclectic experiences and unique points of view, but who bond together in their single-minded purpose of seeking the mind of Christ (v. 16).

11.  Pray for volunteers who can push past the economic and educational differences that stratify society (v. 16).  They don’t gloss over the differences that are real challenges for so many people.  Instead, they find a way to enjoy serving with individuals whose backgrounds and opportunities are different from their own.  Pray also that God will remind each of your volunteers that there is no place for feeling superior in the Body (see also 1 Cor 12:22-25; Isaiah 6).

12.  Pray for volunteers who have the kind of moral compass that guides them without the need for detailed church rules, constant micromanagement, and civil laws to cover every possible temptation (v. 17).  Ask Him for volunteers who, though they are mindful of God’s judgment, are looking for ways to reach out with His love and peace (v. 18).

Summing it up, yes, this looks like a wishlist for the perfect volunteer — and we know that we work with imperfect people in a fallen world.  Keep in mind that these are suggestions for prayer, not minimum job requirements as you screen candidates.

Ask the Lord to open your spiritual eyes and spiritual ears to discern hearts that are open to Him and lives that are available to His work in your ministry.

Finally, thank Him for providing the volunteers you need.  Never forget to say, “Thank you, Lord!”

For a PDF of the full list, click here → VolunteerProject.net – Pray for what – full list