WELCOME and THANKS
ADORATION
… BECAUSE HE IS WORTHY OF ALL PRAISE
- 1 Chronicles 29:11-14 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, And You are exalted as head over all. 12 Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all. 13 Now therefore, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name. 14 But who am I, and who are my people, That we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, And of Your own we have given You.
- Psalm 18:30 As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
- Hebrews 1:3 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high ….
- Lamentations 3:31-33 For no one is cast off by the Lord for ever. 32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. 33 For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.
Things to PRAY FOR …
- God’s holiness
- God’s nature
- God’s love
- God’s mercy and grace
CONFESSION
… BECAUSE WE HAVE SINNED … and BECAUSE WE NEED FORGIVENESS …
- 1 John 1:8-10 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
- Daniel 9:9 (NIV) The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him;
- Proverbs 28:13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
Things to PRAY FOR …
- Acknowledgement of the times we did what was wrong
- … and those times we did not do what was right … even though we might not have done anything wrong
- Forgiveness that we need
- Genuine repentance … from our hearts … and godly sorrow
- A real, deep desire to forsake things that are wrong
THANKSGIVING
… BECAUSE GOD HAS BEEN MERCIFUL AND FORGIVING …
- Micah 7:18-19 18 Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. 19 He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.
- Psalm 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord” and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
- Psalm 103:8-12 NKJV 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. 9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
… BECAUSE GOD HAS BEEN SO GOOD … SO LOVING … SO KIND … AND SO FAITHFUL …
PRAYERS TO THANK GOD …
- … 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)
PRAYER(s) BY …
SUPPLICATION
… BECAUSE WITHOUT GOD, WE CAN DO NOTHING OF ANY REAL VALUE
… BECAUSE GOD IS OUR PROVIDER … AND THE GIVER OF EVERY GOOD GIFT
Our supplications will be in four categories …
- for those who need healing
- for those who have other needs (physical/material, financial, relational, etc.)
- for the Church (members local and international)
- for our leaders (in the Church and in the country)
- for our children and young people
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
PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN NEED (generally speaking)
- Philippians 4:18-20 NKJV 18 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.
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
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.
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.
PRAYER(s) BY …
CLOSING COMMENTS
CLOSING PRAYER