Participate.

We have lived in several places and have gone through the process of finding a church in each of those places.  We have attended large churches, small churches, and were part of a church plant that started with 25 people.  Our roles, our groove, our place in each of those churches has been different.  Very different.  Common thread: we are called to pray like crazy for every church.  Participate by praying.

When we became part of the church plant of 25 people it wasn't because of programs or a connection to people.  We didn't know anyone else who was part of the group, we weren't leaders, we were just showing up every Sunday... praying that God would do something.  We just kept showing up and we just kept praying.

We are now part of a large church where we only know a handful of people.  It has been big since we started attending there.  However, we just keep showing up and we keep praying.

What does it look like to participate in a church by praying?  I'll give you snippets of me, praying for my churches as I worship there.

Before church:
Small church plant:
We arrived early so we were ready to greet new visitors since it was obvious whenever there was a new face.  Prayed as we saw people coming in the door: "Holy Spirit awaken faith for them".  Prayed as we greeted them: "Lord, let them see you in our community."
As we sat in our seats, prayed for the presence of God to fill our church: "Lord, come and be in this place.  Do not leave us unchanged for having come."
Large church:
We arrive early and sit in our seats because the gathering area is a mad house and conversation out there is impossible.  Pray for the presence of God to fill this place: "Surround this church with your presence.  Protect your people here.  Do not let any darkness enter.  Send your Holy Spirit to soften hearts."

Offering:
During offering, pray for the provision of finances for the church and pray that new people would understand we don't give in some TV evangelist sort of obligation: "Father, it's your money.  All of it.  May we be a people who loves you first.  Allow the truth of your love to be seen... do not let 'churchy ideas' cloud the way for people to see what stewardship looks like."

Sermon Time:
"Lord, fill Steve with your Holy Spirit so that the words he speaks might be words from you.  Do not let anything about Steve distract from what you want us to hear.  Protect him."  or  "Father, let the words that Kevin speaks come from you, Lord.  Only you.  Protect him."

Communion:
Praying during communion is one of the sweetest opportunities to participate in prayer.  As people go forward to receive communion, I envision God gently touching their chins and lifting their faces toward Him.  Like a father speaking lovingly to his child.  "Father, may they see your glory and know how deep and wide your love is for them.  How great your sacrifice.  Let this truth change them."

Continually:
"Lord, do not let me be distracted from you."
"I want to see you, Lord."
"Convict me of sin."
"Let me be broken bread and poured out wine."
"Help me with...."

Participate by praying.  Pray when you wait to find your place in a church, pray when you serve, pray when you worship with the body.  PRAY.  God is in the business of rescuing people... I want to ask that God who rescues to come and move in my church.