7/29/2026

Wednesday Night Prayer Service

Psalm 34

Where in this psalm do you see Jesus?

V.7 – “The Angel of the Lord” who “encamps around those who fear Him” is Jesus. In verse 20, where it is written that, “He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken,” we see a prophecy about the Messiah that Jesus fulfills in his death on the cross and resurrection

Discussion Questions

What's the best meal you've ever had, and why do you still remember it?

Looking back on your own life, when have you most clearly "tasted" God's goodness?

What "broken cisterns" do you think people today are most tempted to chase for satisfaction? Why are they so appealing?

What keeps you personally from pursuing God as intentionally as you would like?

If someone observed your life this past week, what evidence would they see that Christ is your greatest satisfaction?

Prayer Service

"The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry." — Psalm 34:15 (ESV)

Tonight we're not just going to talk about prayer.

We're going to pray.

Sometimes we make prayer more complicated than it needs to be. Throughout Scripture, we see believers praying in different ways, but tonight I want to give us five simple directions our prayers can take.

Upward. Downward. Inward. Outward. Thanksgiving.

Those five movements are all found in Psalm 34.

Upward — Worship

David begins the psalm by fixing his eyes on God.

"I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth." (vv. 1–3)

Notice what David doesn't begin with.

He doesn't begin with his problems.

He doesn't begin with Saul.

He doesn't begin with fear.

He begins with worship.

One of the greatest ways to change your perspective is to remember who God is.

Our circumstances may not change immediately...

But worship reminds us that our God hasn't changed either.

So before we ask Him for anything, let's simply adore Him.

Praise Him for His holiness.

His mercy.

His faithfulness.

His goodness.

His sovereignty.

His grace.

Prayer Time (2–3 minutes) "Let's spend the next few moments simply praising God for who He is."

Downward — Confession

As David speaks of fearing the Lord and turning away from evil, he's reminding us that pursuing God always involves repentance.

"Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." (v. 14)

Prayer isn't just talking.

It's surrendering.

It's allowing the Holy Spirit to search our hearts.

Maybe tonight there's bitterness.

Pride.

Anger.

Unforgiveness.

Lust.

Self-reliance.

Whatever it is...

God already knows.

Confession doesn't inform God.

It restores fellowship.

Prayer Time (2–3 minutes) "Ask the Lord to search your heart. Confess anything that He brings to mind."

Inward — Personal Needs

David was never afraid to tell God what he needed.

"This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles." (v. 6)

Sometimes we act like bringing our needs to God is selfish.

It's not.

He's our Father.

Good fathers want their children to come to them.

Bring Him your fears.

Your health.

Your marriage.

Your finances.

Your anxiety.

Your decisions.

Nothing is too small.

Nothing is too big.

Prayer Time (3–4 minutes) "Bring your personal burdens before the Lord tonight."

Outward — Others

David's invitation doesn't stop with his own relationship with God.

He says,

"Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!" (Psalm 34:3)

When God works in our lives, it should move our eyes beyond ourselves.

So tonight, I want us to pray in three specific ways.

1. Our Church Family

First, let's pray for the needs within our own church.

If you have a prayer request you'd like our church family to know about, this is the time to share it.

Let's pray for those who are hurting, those facing health concerns, those grieving, those making important decisions, and those carrying burdens that only God can lift.

(Take prayer requests and pray together.)

2. Our Community

Second, let's pray for the community God has called us to reach.

Pray for Jacksonville.

Pray for our schools.

Pray for San Mateo Elementary.

Pray for first responders, teachers, healthcare workers, and local leaders.

Pray for the families around our church who don't yet know Christ.

Ask God to open doors for gospel conversations this week and to use Cedar Bay Baptist Church to make disciples right here in our community.

(Pray together.)

3. Our Student Ministry at Camp

Finally, let's pray for our students and leaders who are at Student Life Camp this week.

Pray that distractions would be removed.

Pray that students would hear God's voice clearly through His Word.

Pray that those who don't know Christ would come to saving faith.

Pray that believers would be challenged to walk more faithfully with Jesus.

Pray for safety in travel, health throughout the week, unity among the group, and endurance for the leaders.

And let's pray that they don't just come home with memories—but that they come home transformed by the power of the gospel.

(Pray together.)

Thanksgiving — Remember His Faithfulness

David ends the psalm celebrating what God has already done.

Throughout the psalm he's constantly remembering God's faithfulness.

Sometimes the greatest fuel for present faith is remembering past faithfulness.

Think back.

How has God answered prayer?

How has He carried you?

How has He provided?

How has He forgiven you?

How has He remained faithful even when you weren't?

Gratitude changes the heart.

It reminds us that the same God who has been faithful in the past will be faithful tomorrow.

"Taste and see that the LORD is good." (v. 8)

Prayer Time (2–3 minutes)

"Let's finish by thanking God—not for what we're hoping He'll do—but for what He's already done."

Closing

Church, if we'll pray this way regularly...

Looking upward in worship...

Looking downward in confession...

Looking inward with dependence...

Looking outward with compassion...

And looking backward with thanksgiving...

We'll discover exactly what David discovered.

The Lord is good.

Let's continue in prayer together.