“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my inquiry and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit in me.” 

Psalm 51:1-10

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Culture is constantly shifting and changing. The landscape of the world looks much different now than it did fifty years ago, and it will look much different fifty years from now. We find ourselves in a time where cultures are growing more and more distrustful of the church. It’s not surprising. Moral failings of “famous” pastors seem to be a common occurrence these days. Christians often live by their own ethics, rather than living how Scripture calls them to. The list goes on and on as to why culture has grown suspicious of our churches. 

But, there is hope. Young people in our cultures long to be in relationships with other people! Whether it’s a result of the numerous lockdowns during Covid a few years ago or just the general direction our cultures were heading towards in the first place, there is no denying that people are hungrier than ever to connect with others. But, there’s a catch! They want genuine, authentic relationships with transparent people. That is especially true for our churches. 

God desires that all of us would walk in truth and honesty before others and before him regarding our sin. It’s important for all of us, but doubly so for church planting teams! 

When planting churches and setting the initial culture, our churches cannot put on a facade of holiness by our own works! They cannot pretend that they have it all together! If we want to be successful in reaching the least-reached, especially those amongst younger generations, we have to be open and honest about our own shortcomings and failings as church planters! Transparency from leadership invites others to be transparent. 

As we ready ourselves for prayer today, ask God that we would be humbled before him and before one another. Ask God that we would become more willing to admit our own faults as a testimony to a world who views Christians as hypocrites. 

Prayer for Starting Churches:
Father, we come humbly before you admitting our need for forgiveness. We have all fallen short of your glory. We ask for your mercy and compassion, and we ask that you blot out our transgressions and wash us clean. Even when we sin against others, our primary sin is against you. We ask that you purify our hearts and renew a steadfast spirit within us. We pray for those that you have called to plant new churches to be humble before one another and be quick to confess and repent of sin, so that their work may not be hindered. We pray that the joy and gladness they will have in being restored by you will be a beacon of hope to the community where they serve.

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If you’ve enjoyed this excerpt from our United in Prayer guide and would like to join us for our 21 Days of Prayer, we invite you, your church leaders, pastors, staff and congregation to unite with us. To access all of our resources and let us know that you are praying with us, click here: converge.org/21-days-united-in-prayer