Generations Prayer Service 3.5.25

Thanksgiving

(Focus: God's character and the privilege of participating in His mission)

Point: Begin by thanking God for His love, His plan of salvation, and the opportunity to be part of His global mission.

Scriptures:

Psalm 100:4 “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Ephesians 2:4–7 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

Confession

(Focus: Our shortcomings in supporting missions and the needs of the world)

Point: Acknowledge personal and corporate shortcomings in supporting missions (lack of prayer, financial support, involvement, etc.). Recognize the brokenness of the world and the urgent need for the Gospel.

Scriptures:

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Psalm 51:1–4 “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.”

Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

Matthew 9:36–38 “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.””

Intercession

(Focus: Specific needs of missionaries, their ministries, and the people they serve)

Point: Pray for specific missionaries, their families, their teams, their safety, their spiritual strength, their provision, and the effectiveness of their ministry. Pray for the people groups they are reaching, that they would be receptive to the Gospel. Pray for open doors and opportunities. Pray for wisdom and discernment for mission leaders. Pray for the spread of the Gospel to unreached people groups.

Scriptures:

Philippians 4:6–7 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Colossians 4:3 “At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—”

2 Thessalonians 3:1–2 “Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.”

Matthew 28:18–20 “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

Petition

(Focus: Resources and support for missions)

Point: Pray for financial provision for missions, for the mobilization of more workers, for the equipping of missionaries, for the development of local leadership in mission fields, and for the resources needed to carry out the Great Commission.

Scriptures:

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Applies also to the church and its mission!)

2 Corinthians 9:6–8 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”

Matthew 9:38 “therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.””

Dedication

(Focus: Our personal involvement in missions)

Point: Rededicate yourself to supporting missions through prayer, giving, and perhaps even going. Ask God how you can be more involved in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Scriptures:

Isaiah 6:8 “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.””

Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”