One of the most important things you can do as an online host is to pray — and not just for other people. Be sure you are in prayer during the service, asking God to give you wisdom in all your responses and conversations.

During this season of Covid-19, many people have suffered job losses and financial struggles and setbacks. Remember to lead with compassion and empathy, offering support and solidarity during your prayer.

Things to Pray For:

• Strength to let go of past feelings / hurt

• Patience in times of uncertainty

• Energy to keep moving forward

• Trusting in God’s provision and timing

Verses to Share:

“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him." Psalm 28:7

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Potential Next Steps for the Person Requesting Prayer:

• Small Groups (Men’s, Women’s, Rooted) — fcchb.com/adultministries

• FCCHB Assistance Programs — fcchb.com/assistance

• FCCHB Counseling Center — fcchb.com/counseling

Struggling with health issues for oneself or a family or friend is a trying place to be in. Oftentimes, people are open and receptive to God during a health crisis, even if they are not a believer. This isn’t necessarily a time to evangelize them, but definitely remind them of God’s love for them, his presence, and the peace that exists in a relationship with God.

Things to Pray For:

• Healing for body, peace of mind, and comfort

• Wisdom for doctors / medical professionals

• Comfort and peace for loved ones

• Provision for any medical expenses

• Faith in God and His love

Verses to Share:

“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.” Psalm 103:2-3

 “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:4-5

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

Potential Next Steps for the Person Requesting Prayer:

• Pastoral Care Conversation / Follow-Up

• FCCHB Counseling Center — fcchb.com/counseling

Strained marriages, divorce, family estrangement, and loss of friends are some of the most painful encounters we have on earth. Relationship issues impact all of us. Lead with empathy and concern for the individual. Instead of offering advice, center your prayers on compassion and healing.

Things to Pray For:

• Wisdom for steps to take

• Healing for oneself, the other party, and anyone involved

• Strength to forgive and rebuild

• God’s healing of hearts, emotions, etc.

Verses to Share:

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:2-3

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:13-15

Potential Next Steps for the Person Requesting Prayer:

• Counseling Center and Prepare / Enrich Premarital Counseling — fcchb.com/counseling

• Small Groups (Men’s, Women’s, Rooted) — fcchb.com/adultministries

Dealing with stress and mental health issues is a painful reality for many people. This has become even more pronounced during the times of COVID-19 and the many injustices taking place in our world. Offer prayers for comfort and trust, relying on God’s presence and goodness to be foundations. This is also a place where we can offer the next step of counseling in our counseling center, whether it is in person or online.

Things to Pray For:

• Healing for the mind, comfort, and trust in God

• Pray over worry and anxiety, reminding them of God’s presence

• Faith to trust in God’s provision, presence, and guidance

• Wisdom for practical ways to move forward

• Praying God’s promises over the situation (His peace, wisdom, concern, grace, love, etc)

Verses to Share:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Matthew 6:25-27

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Potential Next Steps for the Person Requesting Prayer:

• FCCHB Counseling Center — fcchb.com/counseling

• Small Groups (Men’s, Women’s, Rooted) — fcchb.com/adultministries

• Pastoral Care Conversation / Follow-Up

Similar to job loss, financial struggles are an all-too-real reality for many people. Some may even feel at a complete loss as to how to move forward, depending on the severity of their situation. Pray for God’s provision and wisdom.

Things to Pray For:

• Provision for needs to be met — food, shelter, clothing, utilities, etc.

• Faith to trust in God’s promises to meet needs 

• Thankfulness for God’s love and presence; using gratitude to fuel deeper trust in God’s character

• Wisdom for finding a job, debt payments, budgeting, etc.

• Forgiveness if there’s guilt over financial losses and mistakes 

Verses to Share:

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

"Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!" Luke 12:22-24

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind." James 1:5-6

Potential Next Steps for the Person Requesting Prayer:

• Small Groups (Men’s, Women’s, Rooted) — fcchb.com/adultministries

• Growth Track — fcchb.com/growthtrack

• FCCHB Assistance Programs — fcchb.com/assistance

It’s possible that someone will want to talk about beginning a relationship with Jesus or recommitting to a faith that they had before. Emphasize God’s inclusive love and plan for redemption—the good news of Jesus. 

Things to Pray For:

• Accepting God’s grace and His identity as the one, true God

• Discovering who they are in Christ

• Finding a Church to plug into (whether FCCHB or another)

• Resisting Temptation

• Developing an ongoing relationship with God through prayer, Bible reading, and connecting in community

Verses to Share:

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

"Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." John 14:6

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23 

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2

Potential Next Steps for the Person Requesting Prayer:

• Baptism — fcchb.com/baptism

• Small Groups (Men’s, Women’s, Rooted) — fcchb.com/adultministries

• Growth Track — fcchb.com/growthtrack

• What’s Next — fcchb.com/whatsnext