Sometimes churches start to plan a building expansion or relocation without considering God’s part in their plan. Telling you to pray about God’s plan for your church is not a big revelation. Praying with a specific focus is important. Here are some suggestions items to pray for:

Pray that God would provide leaders to work on the building committee. The people that will serve on the building committee will serve for several years! Seek out individuals who will be committed to the cause and are willing to work as a team.

Pray for what kind of ministries God wants you to provide. Specific ministries require specific building spaces. Is your focus on children, youth, millennials, un-churched, de-churched, online opportunities? Having a clear definition from God as to your church’s mission will make your planning decisions much easier.

Pray about the architect and builder that God wants you to use. The McKnight Group loves to hear that we have been selected after prayerful consideration. That instills confidence and testifies to the fact that the Lord is involved in the overall plan and He is in control.

Pray for the congregation. People resist change. Pray that your congregation will have a receptive spirit and that the building committee will be able to clearly communicate the vision and plan so the congregation may understand.

Pray for integrity and a Christ-like attitude in your business dealings. Problems will occur but how they are handled will speak volumes about your faith to the professionals involved.

Pray for safety & salvation of the workers. Construction can be a dangerous occupation. There is also a great opportunity to reach potentially unchurched workers. When construction starts you will have a mission field right outside your door!

Of course, there are many other things you can and should pray for. Prayer needs to be part of every phase of your project. Start your building meetings with prayer to remind the committee that the building is not about bricks and mortar but bringing people to closer relationship with Jesus Christ! Prayer will bring comfort. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard you hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”