As the primary drivers behind small business development and growth, community banks play an important role in our economy.  They help create jobs which are the source of essential dignity for all. I believe that, if community banks disappear, that source of dignity is ultimately threatened, to the peril of men and women in the places we call home.  

The fight for community banking must be fought on all fronts. I believe we cannot ignore the spiritual front of this fight. Earlier this year I was inspired by a banker friend to pray more actively in support of community banking.  I was recently inspired to invite others into that life of prayer.

While we hope to uncover and pray for specific needs of community bankers throughout the nation, we have identified overarching themes of prayer that we’ll be covering each week.  These are:

1. For all current community bankers.  Lord, we ask that you encourage them with your Holy Spirit.  Help them to appreciate the impact that they can and do make in their communities.  Give them eyes to see how they can help impact the lives of others.

2. For the next generation of community bankers.  Guide their steps and prepare their hearts to take up the mantle of this profession for the good of our local, state and national economies.

3. For banking regulators.  Help them to balance their responsibility with reason and common sense.  Help them to do their jobs well, and fairly, for the good of the industry and the people that we serve.

4. For lawmakers.  Help them to see how their actions affect community banking.  Give them the courage to break apart the entrenched conditions that allow for some banks to be “too big to fail.” Move their hearts to help us create an environment in which community banks can thrive for the good of their customers and communities.
   

5. For those who are attempting to form a de novo bank.  Guide them, giving them strength, endurance and wisdom in planning their banks.  Stir up the hearts of others to form banks where they are needed by their communities and loosen the bonds that make it so difficult to start new banks.

6. For men and women around the country to turn to community banks.  We ask for customers, capital and deposits to arrive where they are needed.  Lord, bring a resurgence of community banking nationwide.

7. For the current and future customers of community banks.  Fan the flames of their dreams and give them the courage to pursue those ambitions.  We pray for their success, which will ultimately drive the success of the community banking industry.