WELCOME to our prayer meeting … and THANKS for joining us.
The FORMAT for tonight’s meeting …
- OPENING Section
- Opening Song … Opening Prayer
- THANKSGIVING Section
- Scripture reading … Song … Prayer(s)
- SUPPLICATION Section
- Scripture reading … Song … Prayer(s)
- CLOSING Section
- Closing Song … Closing Prayer
Opening SONG
Opening PRAYER
Things to PRAY FOR …
- God’s holiness
- God’s nature
- God’s love
- God’s mercy and grace
- God’s forgiveness and genuine repentance from our hearts
- A real, deep desire to forsake things that are wrong
THANKSGIVING
… BECAUSE GOD HAS BEEN MERCIFUL AND FORGIVING … SO GOOD … SO LOVING … SO KIND … AND SO FAITHFUL …
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
- Psalm 18:49 Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the Gentiles, And sing praises to Your name.
.Things to THANK GOD for …
- … for HEALING(s) and IMPROVEMENTS IN HEALTH
- … for FORGIVENESS
- … for DAILY BREAD (PROVISION)
- … for PROTECTION
- … for ANSWERED PRAYER (when we got what we asked for … and when we didn’t get what we asked for)
Supplications and Intercessions
… BECAUSE WITHOUT GOD, WE CAN DO NOTHING OF ANY REAL VALUE … and BECAUSE GOD IS OUR PROVIDER … AND THE GIVER OF EVERY GOOD GIFT
Our supplications will be in five categories …
- for those who need healing
- for those who have other needs (physical/material, financial, relational, etc.)
- for the Church
- for our leaders (in the Church and in the country)
- for our children and young people
Any VOLUNTEERS … to pray for any of the sections above?
1. PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN NEED OF HEALING (physical, emotional or otherwise)
- 3 John 1:2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
- James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Things to PRAY FOR …
- Persons who need physical healing
- Persons who need mental healing
- Persons who need emotional healing
- Persons who need spiritual healing
2. PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN NEED (generally speaking)
- Philippians 4:18-20 NKJV Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Things to PRAY FOR …
- Good health
- Jobs / employment
- Housing
- Sufficient income to pay bills and take care of living expenses
- Relationships
3. PRAYERS FOR THE CHURCH …
- Ephesians 6:17-19 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints — 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Things to PRAY FOR …
- Members of Grace Communion Jamaica (GCJ)
- Members Grace Communion International (GCI)
- Members of other churches (local and international)
- Christians living in difficult, horrible circumstances
- Christians who are being persecuted … for courage, wisdom, strength and comfort
4. PRAYERS FOR LEADERS (in the Church … in our nation … in the world)
- 1 Timothy 2:1-3 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
- We need to pray for those who lead us BECAUSE the decisions they take and the choices they make will affect us … and impact the quality of our lives.
Things to PRAY FOR …
- GUIDANCE … from God and wise counsellors
- WISDOM … to know how to apply Godly principles … and how to act on good advice
- STRENGTH … to be able to do what needs to be done
- COURAGE … to do what is right, even in the face of opposition
5. PRAYERS FOR CHILDREN and YOUTH
- Psalm 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward.
- Malachi 4:5-6 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. 6 And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”
Some food for thought from Children’s Ministry Basics …
It would be great if the Bible contained a parenting script, but it doesn’t. While there’s no comprehensive passage on parenting, here are 15 key texts concerning the roles, realities, and responsibilities of parents:
It’s recognizing children are a gift and blessing from God. “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him” Psalm 127:3.
It’s helping children love and live for Jesus. “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” Ephesians 6:4.
It’s diligently teaching the scriptures to your children. “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children” Deuteronomy 6:6-7.
It’s telling your children about the remarkable things God has done. “We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done” Psalm 78:4.
It’s inviting children to turn to Jesus, confess their sins, receive the Holy Spirit, and be baptized. “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call” Acts 2:38-39.
It’s pointing children in the right direction. “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” Proverbs 22:6.
It’s living in a way that makes your children look up to you. “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children” Proverbs 17:6.
It’s modelling how to live according to a biblical worldview. “In everything set them an example by doing what is good” Titus 2:7.
It’s taking care of your children’s needs. “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” 1 Timothy 5:8.
It’s correcting and disciplining children as a mark of your love. “Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire” Proverbs 29:17.
It’s not irritating, aggravating, disheartening, or provoking children to anger. “Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged” Colossians 3:21.
It’s maintaining harmony and stability in the home. “Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise” Proverbs 11:29.
It’s prudent financial planning for your children. “Children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children” 2 Corinthians 12:14.
It’s showing your children you respect your own parents. “Honour your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you” Deuteronomy 5:16.
It’s aiming to see your children become mature Christians. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” 3 John 1:4.
None of this is possible if you’re not tracking with Jesus. In the process of parenting, pay attention to your walk with the Lord. “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them” Deuteronomy 4:9.
CLOSING SONG
CLOSING PRAYER by …