Here are some verses that inspire us to pray for the increase of God’s church – both in holy love and in numbers of believers who are committed to the spread of God’s gospel in these trying times:
Ezekiel 36:36–38 “Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate; I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it. / Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock. / As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men; and they shall know that I am the LORD.”
Isaiah 66:8–9 “Who hath heard such a thing? Who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. / Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth and shut the womb? saith thy God.”
Isaiah 51:2 “Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.”
Isaiah 9:7 “Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
1 Corinthians 3:6–7 “I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”
Psalm 115:12–14 “The LORD hath been mindful of us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron. / He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great. / The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.”
Psalm 127:1 “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.”
Acts 6:7 “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly…”
Acts 16:5 “And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.”