Christine Stride is Executive Assistant to the Baptist National Leader and works at the Baptist National Support Centre in Auckland. She is a member of Titirangi Baptist Church in Auckland.
Together In Prayer is a call for people in Baptist churches across Aotearoa New Zealand to pray. Every September as one family of churches, we will pray for God’s transforming work in our communities, nation and world.
Below are some prayer points and scripture you may find helpful as you pray on the theme of this week - locally, nationally, and globally. Perhaps use one section a day for three days this week or come back several times repeating this prayer focus. You could also use these prayer guides in your small group or in your prayer group.
Renewal
Renewal is God's work of restoring people and communities to a closer relationship with him. It's closely linked to repentance - the act of turning away from sin and turning toward God. Renewal is the positive transformation and restoration that follows as God works in our lives.
For more information about Renewal and prayer, watch the 3-minute video by Baptist Youth Catalyst Ethan Miller below.
Pray
Local
- For personal spiritual renewal
Lord, renew my love for you and help me grow deeper in faith, prayer, and trust. Fill me with fresh joy in Your presence and a greater desire to follow your leading each day. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
- For renewed hope and strength
Father, renew hope in those who are weary, discouraged, or facing challenges. May your peace, strength, and encouragement bring fresh perspective and confidence for the days ahead. Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. Isaiah 40:31.
- For renewed relationships
Lord, bring renewal to our families, friendships, and community connections. Strengthen bonds of love, understanding, and forgiveness, and help us build one another up with kindness and grace.
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as God, through Christ, has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32
- For renewal in our local churches
Father, breathe new life into our churches and communities. Inspire us to serve with passion, welcome others with hospitality, and be a visible expression of Your love to those around us.
See, I am doing a new thing! Isaiah 43:19
Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known. Habakkuk 3:2
- For renewed purpose and kingdom impact
Lord, renew our sense of purpose and calling. Help us to use our gifts, opportunities, and influence to make a positive difference in our workplaces, schools, neighbourhoods, and wherever you have placed us.
For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works. Ephesians 2:10
National
- For renewal of hope across the country
Lord, renew hope throughout our nation. In places where people are discouraged, anxious, or uncertain about the future, let fresh confidence arise. May communities be strengthened by a renewed sense of purpose, resilience, and trust in Your goodness.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him. Romans 15:13
- For renewal in leadership and public life
Father, bring renewal to those who serve our nation in government, education, healthcare, business, and community leadership. Grant them wisdom, integrity, and a renewed commitment to serving others with humility and courage.
Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me. Psalm 25:4-5
- For renewal of compassion and community
Lord, renew our care for one another. Help us to be a nation known for kindness, generosity, and hospitality. May neighbours support neighbours, and may communities become places where people feel valued, connected, and loved.
Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10
- For renewal of families and future generations
Father, strengthen families and encourage the next generation. Renew healthy relationships, restore trust where it has been lost, and raise up young people who are filled with hope, character, and a desire to make a positive difference.
He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents. Malachi 4:6
- For renewal of faith and spiritual hunger
Lord, awaken a fresh desire to seek you across our nation. Revive your Church, deepen our dependence on you, and draw many people into a life-giving relationship with Jesus. May renewed faith bring light and encouragement wherever it is found.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6
Global
- For renewal in places affected by conflict
Father, breathe fresh hope into places where conflict has disrupted lives and communities. May trust be rebuilt, relationships mended, and a renewed spirit of cooperation take root among peoples and nations. Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! (Amos 5:24)
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9
- For renewal of international cooperation
Father, renew relationships between nations. Strengthen partnerships that bring hope to vulnerable communities, encourage collaboration in times of crisis, and foster a spirit of understanding across cultural and political differences. May nations grow in trust, share resources generously, and work together to create a more just, peaceful, and flourishing world for future generations.
How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity! Psalm 133:1
- For renewal of care for the vulnerable
Lord, renew the world's commitment to caring for those facing poverty, displacement, hunger, and hardship. Inspire governments, organisations, churches, and individuals to respond with compassion and practical support. Renew and strengthen all those who serve and care for others. May they know that their work is valued, and may they be equipped with fresh energy, compassion, and wisdom.
Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. Isaiah 1:17
- For renewal of stewardship and responsibility
God, give people and nations a renewed commitment to wisely steward the resources You have entrusted to us. Help us to care for creation, use resources responsibly, and consider the wellbeing of future generations.
The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Genesis 2:15
- For renewal of God’s church
Sovereign Lord, strengthen and encourage your Church across every nation. Fill believers with fresh faith, unity, courage, and love. May the Church be a source of hope, compassion, and good news in every community around the world.
Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24
Share what you feel God is saying
There is an online form here to share what you think God might be saying to the Baptist churches of New Zealand at this time.
