Prayer Guide

July 3, 2025

“Teach me good discernment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments.” Psalm 119:66


The psalmist knew his dependency on the Lord; He knew his need for wisdom. Evidently, he had blown it enough (made enough mistakes in his life) that he knew that without God’s guidance, he was sunk. I was talking with a lawyer recently who told me there are still some courts that open session with prayer. The judge declares, “It has long been the tradition of this court to open with prayer. I hope that doesn’t bother you. I’m sorry if it does, but I need the wisdom of God.” (MAY THEIR TRIBES INCREASE!)



David, like the wise judges, knew he needed God to open his eyes to see. He asked God to teach him “good discernment.” This is the Hebrew word “taam.” 

• “Taam” is most often translated as “taste.” It is used of manna in Numbers 11:8—“and its taste was as the taste of cakes baked with oil.” In Psalm 119:66, David was asking for God to change his “taste” in things—“God, if I have been hungering for the wrong things, please change that.”
• The second most frequent translation of “taam” is the word we see in our verse today, “discernment.” David was asking God to open his eyes to tell the difference. One of my friends recently went to the doctor because he had a spot come up on his back. He didn’t know what it was. He couldn’t tell the difference between a normal mole and a bad spot. He went to a physician, someone who has discernment. Common sense is not enough to live life. God, through His Word, His Spirit, AND prayer, gives spiritual discernment.
• The third most frequent translation of “taam” is “discretion.” Read these words: “As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion” (Proverbs 11:22). A woman who is physically attractive yet lacks the ability to judge wisely is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout—foolish, a waste, and just doesn’t make any sense!

Today, pray for yourself and for others that God would change our tastes and give us wisdom in how to live. Why? Because nobody wants their choices compared to the person who decided to put a ring of gold in a pig’s snout! (“What were they thinking?!”)

Pray for Bellevue and for other churches in Memphis and beyond

The greatest thing the Church can do is be the people of God He has called us to be! A.W. Tozer, a pastor during World War II reflected, “A scared world needs a fearless church.”

• Pray for individual church members to have an intimate walk with God, that each person would be “filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Colossians 1:9).
• Pray for Christians to walk in faith and courage—“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13 NLT).
• Pray for Christians to courageously and lovingly share Jesus—“sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:15).
• Pray for God’s anointing on our lives, worship services, and service outside the church walls. Jesus reminds us, “[A]part from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5)! 

Pray that summer 2025 will be a time for growth

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT

It’s summer—the time for vacation, outdoor walks, extra hours of sunlight, quality time with family and friends, and spending mornings or evenings enjoying the Lord’s presence and His creation.

• Pray families will be drawn closer to the Lord and to one another.
• Pray for traveling mercies—don’t presume the goodness or protection of God.
• Pray that young people who need summer jobs will find them.
• Pray that time away from school will be invested wisely.
• Pray our summer camps will be anointed and students will be saved and take meaningful steps in discipleship.
  • Adventure Kids: Select Tuesdays and Thursdays through July 31
  • 4th & 5th Grade Camp: July 7–10
  • Student Leadership University (SLU) 101: July 15–18
  • SLU 201: July 14–18
  • SLU 301: July 20–28 Pray for the Pastor Search Committee

Pray CampOutrageous follow-up will be fruitful

“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.” Matthew 13:19–23

Even though CampOutrageous is over, the fruit that comes from it is still growing.

• Pray Satan does not steal the Word of God from the hearts of those who made a decision to follow Christ.
• Pray that children will find Christian friends.
• Pray parents will be open to the Gospel.
• Pray that lost or unchurched parents will bring their children to church and take the necessary steps to get connected.

Pray for educators

“Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.” Colossians 2:8 NLT

While many educators are out of school, may this be a time when they experience spiritual, physical, and emotional renewal.

• Pray that God raises up godly teachers who will make an impact on their students not only academically but also spiritually.
• Pray Christian students will grow spiritually this summer and return to classes ready to share Jesus and lead others to Christ.
• Pray for protection over our schools.

Pray for political leaders

We have been commanded to pray “for kings and all who are in authority” (1 Timothy 2:2).

• Pray those who are saved will lead with righteous values and share the Gospel of Christ with other political leaders.
• Pray the pressures of leading will cause lost politicians and judges to call on Jesus to be saved.

Donald J. Trump

Vice President of the United States:
J.D. Vance

Supreme Court Justices:
John G. Roberts, Chief Justice of the United States
Clarence Thomas
Samuel A. Alito
Sonia Sotomayer
Elena Kagan
Neil M. Gorsuch
Brett M. Kavanaugh
Amy Coney Barrett
Ketanji Brown Jackson

Governor of Tennessee:
Bill Lee

Tennessee Senators:
Marsha Blackburn
Bill Hagerty

West Tennessee Congressmen:
Steve Cohen
David Kustoff

Memphis/Shelby County Elected Officials

City Council:

Shelby County Commissioners:

Pray for America