Praise God for the gift of His Word and how He uses our reading and study of the Scriptures to transform us more and more into the image of Christ. Ask Him to guide our study of Mark together, to help us grow in our knowledge and love of Jesus, and to learn to follow Him more closely each day.

This week, in observance of January’s Sanctity of Life initiative, we are praying for the lives of the unborn and for individuals and families in Birmingham to recognize the intrinsic value of all human life – from the moment of conception to natural death. Our partners report that each year 9,000 women in Alabama believe abortion is the only solution to an unplanned pregnancy. While Alabama currently has one of the strictest abortion bans, some women convinced that abortion is the solution to their pregnancy may seek medical services out of state or use an abortion pill. We are also praying for Shades Mountain Baptist Church and Pastor George Wright.

DAY 1: Pray for pregnant women in Birmingham and across our nation to comprehend the immeasurable value of the child they are carrying. Pray that God would give them hope, understanding, and courage to choose life. Pray that God would provide for them by means of resources and support. Pray that they would experience saving faith in Jesus Christ.

DAY 2: Pray for the women and men who are mourning the loss of a child to abortion. Pray that God would comfort them and be their peace as they navigate grief and loss. Pray for them to recognize God’s mercy and forgiveness for sin.

DAY 3: Pray for the elected officials, medical professionals, and people with power and influence to experience conversion of mind and heart. Pray that they would value life from the moment of conception to natural death. Pray that they would leverage their spheres of influence for the protection of vulnerable lives.

DAY 4: Pray for our partners Sav-A-Life, Ann’s New Life Center, Lifeline Children’s Services, Alabama Baptist Children’s Home, and other ministries in our city that offer resources, education, support, and counseling to couples facing unexpected pregnancies. Pray that the gospel would continue to inform their interactions and that their clients would experience the love of Jesus Christ in ongoing relationship with staff and volunteers.

DAY 5: Pray for God to work through the Church to stand in the gap for the unborn. Pray that God would raise up workers and volunteers from among our own to serve and support parents of the unborn. Pray that we would faithfully make disciples among them and encourage them in their faith.

DAY 6: Pray for believers across Birmingham to truly grasp what it means to be “pro-life.” Ask God to deepen our understanding of the biblical truth that all human life is made in the image of God and equip us to defend that truth. Pray that God would open our eyes to ways we can support vulnerable children and their families within our neighborhoods and regular spheres of life.

This week we are praying for one of our mid-termers, Sarah W., serving in North Africa.

DAY 1:  Ask the Lord to open doors for Sarah to build relationships and trust with local friends. Pray that she will be diligent to connect with people who are seeking truth and who desire to talk about spiritual things. Pray about her friendship with D. who is disillusioned with Islam and open minded to the gospel.

DAY 2: Pray for Sarah’s friend M. Sarah and her roommate have been able to read the Word with her several times. Please pray that her eyes would be opened and that she would begin to doubt Islam. Pray for L. She has been their friend for a long time and has attended church but there is still little to no spiritual interest. Pray that she would see the exclusivity of Jesus, seek the Truth, and respond to the gospel.

DAY 3: Ask God to grow Sarah’s local church in unity and that they would love one another well.  Pray that they would pursue intentional discipleship. Pray that others would be drawn to their local fellowship (especially women) and that God would add to their numbers. 

DAY 4: Pray that God will continue to strengthen Sarah in language learning. Ask God to give her endurance and grace to grasp deeper language abilities so that she can connect well with others, explain the gospel well, and have robust discipleship conversations.

DAY 5: Pray that Sarah would trust the Lord's timing and provision in all things and not in her own ability. Ask God to enable her to be patient and long suffering as she waits for God to work and provide.

DAY 6: Pray that Sarah would drink deeply from the Word and prioritize time with the Lord so that she would look more like Christ. Pray that she would feel encouraged and be expectant, trusting in the Lord's future grace for each day.