First Christian Church, Owensville, IN
August 16, 2020
NOTE: Except for section headings, bold type indicates the unison response of everyone when praying in a group.
C.H. Spurgeon Quotes on Prayer:
“It is well said that neglected prayer is the birth-place of all evil.”
“I know of no better thermometer to your spiritual temperature than this, the measure of the intensity of your prayer.”
“It is not a matter of time so much as a matter of heart; if you have the heart to pray, you will find the time.”
Adoration: After pondering on the following passage, praise Sovereign God for His attributes, for who He is and what He is like in this passage:
Hebrews 13:20-21: 20 Now may the God of peace—
who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—
21 may he equip you with all you need
for doing his will.
May he produce in you,
through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
All glory to him forever and ever! Amen. (NLT)
For ________________, Mighty God. We give you praise!
Confession:
Nehemiah 9:3: They remained standing in place for three hours while the Book of the Law of the Lord their God was read aloud to them. Then for three more hours they confessed their sins and worshiped the Lord their God. (NLT)
• 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.
Colossians 3:15: And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. (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 5:1-4: So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. (ESV)
For _____________, Merciful God. Hear our prayer.
• How might you pray for our church’s shepherd-elders?
Acts 20:28-29: 28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. (CSB)
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)