NOTE: Except for section headings, bold type indicates the unison response of everyone when praying in a group.
Quotes on prayer:
1 Peter 4:7: The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. (NLT)
“The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer.”—F.B.Meyer
“A prayerless church member is a hindrance. He is in the body like a rotting bone or a decayed tooth. Before long, since he does not contribute to the benefit of his brethren, he will become a danger and a sorrow to them. Neglect of private prayer is the locust which devours the strength of the church.”—C.H. Spurgeon
Adoration: Praise Sovereign God for His attributes, for who He is and what He is like in these passages:
1 Peter 4:19: 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (ESV)
Colossians 1:2b-3: God made his Son responsible for everything. His Son is the one through whom God made the universe. 3 His Son is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact likeness of God’s being. He holds everything together through his powerful words. After he had cleansed people from their sins, he now holds the honored position—the one next to the majestic God [the Father] on the heavenly throne. (NLT)
For ________________, Mighty God. We give you praise!
Confession: First, ponder these verses:
Proverbs 28:13: People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. (NLT)
1 Peter 4:17-18: 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And
“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” (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 passage and anything else the Spirit reminds you of, let us thank God for what he’s done.
Romans 8:17-18: 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. 18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. (NLT)
For _______________, loving God. We give you thanks.
Supplication (Humble Petitions) & Intercession:
1 Timothy 2:1-4: First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (ESV)
• Pray to our merciful God about anything/anyone the Spirit puts on your heart to pray.
• After reading and thinking about the following passage, pray to our merciful God as the Spirit guides you.
1 Peter 4:1-2: 2 Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want. (Message)
For _____________, Merciful God. Hear our prayer.
2 Timothy 3:12: Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there’s no getting around it. (MSG)
1 Peter 4:7-11: 7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (ESV)
For _____________, Merciful God. Hear our prayer.
Benediction: The Lord’s Model 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)