Prayer Meeting February 7, 2023

I have two Scriptures that I would like to read to help us get our hearts and minds in a place where we can hear from Holy Spirit. Psalm 119:109-112, and 1 Cor 4:1-12.

After each reading I am going to share a personal thought and then ask you to reflect on the passage and then pray as the Spirit leads you to pray.

At the end of our time we will spend time in intercessory prayer for people and situations in our church, community and world.

Let’s begin.

Psalm 119:109-112

“109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law.

110 The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts.

111 Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.

112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.”

As I read this Psalm I feel like I can relate to Verse 109 more than I would care to. So much of my life is done my own way. I make my own decisions, I develop opinions and I even act in ways that I deem appropriate with little to no time spent seeking God’s direction. Sometimes this works fine but sometimes these moments create confusion and frustration for me and those closest to me.

Reflect:

What do you think it means to take your life in your own hands?

Pray:

Thank God for the Leading Power of the Holy Spirit in your personal life and the life of those you love.

Thank God for the Leading power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the leaders in our Church both Pastoral and Lay leaders.

Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to Lead our time tonight?

2 Corinthians 4: 1-12 “1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” “7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you! 9 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. 10 We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! 11 To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. 12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;”

Reflect:

In what ways does this passage speak to you? What one word sticks out and what do you believe God want you to pray as a result?

Pray:

Allow the Spirit to guide your mind and heart…Pray out loud what you feel the Spirit leading you to Pray.

Intercession:

Let’s lift up our prayers for specific people and situations that God has placed on our hearts.