We are delighted to join you in prayer as you prepare to share a meal with fellow church members. Let us first assure you that there is no need to be nervous, for the Lord is with you and will give you the strength and confidence you need. Remember, "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 WEB.
As you gather, we pray that your conversations will be guided by the Lord, and that you will make good impressions, showing the love and kindness of Christ. "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one" Colossians 4:6 WEB.
Regarding your father, we pray that the Lord will soften his heart and open his eyes to the truth of the gospel. We understand your concern about his behavior and his negativity towards the city and its people. We pray that the Lord will help him overcome these feelings and that any external influences causing him to behave in these ways would be dealt with and defeated. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places" Ephesians 6:12 WEB. Remember that God has the power to change hearts and minds, and that He is working in your father's life, even if it is not yet visible.
We also want to encourage you to continue praying for your father's salvation and for him to experience the transforming power of Jesus Christ. It is only by the name of Jesus that we have access to God. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" John 14:6 WEB. Keep trusting in the Lord, and believe that He is able to do more than we can ask or imagine.
Let us pray together:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You today, lifting up our dear sister and her family. Lord, we thank You for the opportunity they have to fellowship with other believers. We pray that You will calm her nerves and fill her and her parents with Your peace. Help them to make good impressions and to be a blessing to others.
Lord, we also lift up her father to You. We pray that You will soften his heart and open his eyes to the truth of the gospel. Help him to overcome his negativity and to behave in a way that honors You. Defeat any external influences that are causing him to behave badly.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
We trust that the Lord will answer these prayers according to His will and that He will bless your time with fellow believers.