Prayer for the Church

I read this, this morning, and thought what an awesome scripture to claim, and pray for our church...

"He handed out gifts above and below, filled heaven with his gifts, filled earth with his gifts. He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ's followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ's body, the church, until we're all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God's Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.

14-16No prolonged infancies among us, please. We'll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love." Eph 4:11-16

Father, you have indeed given each of us gifts, help us Lord, to use our gifts...so that we move rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to You Lord. Help us to be fully mature adults, fully developed within and without fully alive like Christ. Father help us to grow up, to know the whole truth, and to tell it in love. Keep us in step with one another. Help us to remember that your very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.