NOTE: Except for section headings, bold type indicates the unison response of everyone when praying in a group. Also, many of the Scriptures provided were included in our Dec 6 sermon, the outline of which can be found here: “Jesus: Messiah from the Womb” Use the Scriptures to meditate upon and to help guide your prayers.
Quotes on Prayer
“That Child now fighting the great battle of his life, uses the mercy of his nativity as an argument with God. Faith finds weapons everywhere. He who wills to believe shall never lack reasons for believing”—C. H. Spurgeon, Treasury of David, Vol. 1
”Only a life of prayer and meditation will render a vessel ready for the Master's use.”—George Muller
Adoration: Praise Sovereign God for His attributes, for who He is and what He is like in this passage:
John 1:1-2, 14: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God…. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (ESV)
Philippians 2:9-11: 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (ESV)
For ________________, Mighty God. We give you praise!
Confession:
Matthew 1:21: She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (ESV)
• Ask the Holy Spirit to show you anything in your life that is displeasing to Him and confess it to Him.
I confess ______________, forgiving God. Forgive us our sins. (If prayed aloud with others.)
Thanksgiving: In light of the following passages and anything else the Spirit reminds you of, let us thank God for what he’s done.
2 Corinthians 9:15: Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! (ESV)
For _______________, loving God. We give you thanks.
Supplication (Humble Petitions) & Intercession:
Hebrews 5:7: 7In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. (ESV)
• Pray to our merciful God about anything/anyone the Spirit puts on your heart to pray.
For _____________, Merciful God. Hear our prayer.
• How might we pray in light of these two verses?
Hebrews 9:27-28: 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. (ESV)
For _____________, Merciful God. Hear our prayer.
Ever felt this way?
Psalm 22:11: Be not far from me,
for trouble is near,
and there is none to help. (ESV)
For _____________, Merciful God. Hear our prayer.
2 Corinthians 9:6-10: 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully” 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others….10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
For _____________, Merciful God. Hear our prayer.
Benediction: The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13, KJV)