First Christian Church, Owensville, IN
June 7, 2020
NOTE: Except for section headings, bold type indicates the unison response of everyone when praying in a group.
Quotes on Prayer:
“A Christian fellowship lives and exists by the intercession of its members for one another, or it collapses. I can no longer condemn or hate a brother for whom I pray, no matter how much trouble he causes me. His face, that hitherto may have been strange and intolerable to me, is transformed in intercession into the countenance of a brother for whom Christ died, the face of a forgiven sinner. Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Life Together, p.65
1 Peter 3:12: The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face
against those who do evil.” (NLT)
Adoration: Praise Sovereign God for His attributes, for who He is and what He is like in this passage:
1 Timothy 3:16: The mystery that gives us our reverence for God is acknowledged to be great:
He appeared in his human nature,
was approved by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
was announced throughout the nations,
was believed in the world,
and was taken to heaven in glory. (GW)
For ________________, Mighty God. We give you praise!
Confession: Ask the Holy Spirit to show you anything in your life that is displeasing to Him and confess it to Him.
Colossians 1:21-23a: Once you were separated from God. The evil things you did showed your hostile attitude. But now Christ has brought you back to God by dying in his physical body. He did this so that you could come into God’s presence without sin, fault, or blame. This is on the condition that you continue in faith without being moved from the solid foundation of the hope that the Good News contains. (GW)
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.
Galatians 3:26-28: For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. (NLT)
For _______________, loving God. We give you thanks.
Supplication (Humble Petitions) & Intercession:
1 Timothy 2:1-2: I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. (NLT)
• Pray to our merciful God about anything/anyone the Spirit puts on your heart to pray.
For _____________, Merciful God. Hear our prayer.
• After reading and thinking about the following passages, pray to our merciful God as the Spirit guides you.
James 1:19-20: My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. (CSB)
For _____________, Merciful God. Hear our prayer.
1 Peter 3:8-9: Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.
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)