10/21/2026

Wednesday Night Prayer Service

Can you remember a time someone made you feel welcome when you expected to feel out of place? What did that person do?

In the story of the prodigal son, the older brother struggled to celebrate his brother’s return. When do we find ourselves acting like the older brother?

What would help someone whose background is very different from ours feel like part of the family at Cedar Bay? What could you personally do?

The Jewish believers were amazed that God gave the Gentiles the Holy Spirit. What did this show them about who belongs in God’s family?

Opening words

“Church, tonight we’re going to use four simple words to help us pray: Praise, Repent, Ask, and Yield. I’ll guide us along, and we’ll take time to actually pray. You can pray right where you’re sitting. When someone prays aloud, join them in your heart.”

LEADER CUE: Read Acts 10:34–35 and 43 from your Bible, then give this brief recap.

“Peter stood in a house full of people he once would have kept at a distance. He told them about Jesus, and God made it clear that His grace reaches people from every nation. Forgiveness comes through faith in Jesus. Tonight, let’s thank God that His grace reached us and let Him deal with how we respond to others.”

P Praise

6 minutes  |  Focus on God’s character, goodness, and blessings.

Scripture and transition

Acts 10:40 — “but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear” (ESV).

“Before we bring the Lord what’s weighing on us, let’s remember who we’re talking to. He is holy. He is merciful. He raised Jesus from the dead, and He has been faithful to us. Think about the grace He has shown you and the ways He has cared for you. Let’s tell Him thank You.”

LEADER CUE: Invite everyone to bow their heads. Use the next four prompts slowly, leaving 30–45 seconds after each for prayer.

Guide the congregation in prayer

What about God’s character do you need to remember tonight? Praise Him for His patience, wisdom, power, or faithfulness. You might pray, “Lord, I praise You because You are…”

How has God shown you His goodness this week? Thank Him for something specific: strength for a hard day, a person who encouraged you, daily provision, or an answered prayer.

What does it mean that Jesus offers forgiveness to everyone who believes in Him? Thank Jesus for His death and resurrection. If you belong to Him, thank Him personally for forgiving you and bringing you into His family.

Where have you seen God at work in our church? Thank Him for people growing in faith, opportunities to serve, and those who have helped you follow Jesus. Give Him the glory for what He is doing at Cedar Bay.

Brief prayers aloud

“If you’d like, offer a short prayer of praise from where you’re sitting. Just a sentence or two: ‘Lord, thank You for…’ We’ll join you as you pray.”

LEADER CUE: Allow about one minute for several brief prayers. If no one speaks, offer your own prayer and continue naturally.

Pastor closes this movement

“Father, thank You for being faithful when we are weak. Thank You for sending Jesus and for the mercy You have shown us. Forgive us for overlooking Your goodness in the middle of a busy week. We give You the glory for every good thing You are doing in our lives and in this church. Amen.”

R Repent

6 minutes  |  Acknowledge sin and ask for forgiveness and help to change.

Scripture and transition

Acts 10:43 — “To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (ESV)

“The same grace we just thanked God for gives us reason to be honest with Him. He already knows what’s going on in our hearts. Let’s bring Him the sin we’ve been excusing and the attitudes we’ve been protecting. We can ask Him to forgive us and help us change because of what Jesus has done.”

LEADER CUE: Keep this movement in quiet personal prayer. No one needs to confess private details aloud. Read one prompt at a time and leave 30–45 seconds after each.

Guide the congregation in prayer

What have I said or done this week that dishonors the Lord? Think about your words, your temper, your honesty, and the way you have treated people at home. Name the sin honestly before God.

Who have I been treating as though God’s grace could not reach them? Ask the Lord to expose prejudice, resentment, or a judgmental spirit. Confess where you have written someone off or treated them as less worthy of hearing about Jesus.

Where have I expected grace for myself while withholding it from someone else? Bring bitterness and unforgiveness to God. Ask Him to soften your heart and help you respond to that person in a way that honors Christ.

What obedience have I been putting off? Ask God to forgive your resistance. Pray for help to turn from that sin, make an apology, tell the truth, or follow through on what His Word has made clear.

LEADER CUE: Allow another minute of uninterrupted silence. Give people room to finish without adding more explanation.

Pastor closes this movement

“Lord, we need Your mercy. Forgive our pride, our harsh words, and the way we sometimes look down on people who need the same grace we need. Show us where we have sinned, and give us the willingness to turn from it. Help us make things right where we can. Thank You that forgiveness is found in Jesus. Amen.”

Assurance and transition

“Acts 10:43 points us to forgiveness through Jesus. Bring that sin to Him and trust what He has done. Now let’s bring Him the burdens we’re carrying and pray for the people He has placed in our lives.”

A Ask

8 minutes  |  Bring personal needs and the needs of others to God.

Introduce the requests

“Some of us walked in tonight carrying something heavy. It may be a health concern, a situation at home, or a decision we don’t know how to make. We can bring those things to our Father. We’re also going to pray for the people around us, for our leaders, and for those who need to know Jesus.”

LEADER CUE: Allow about one minute for brief requests: a name and a need. Use the church prayer list if available. Then move into prayer while the needs are fresh.

Guide the congregation in prayer

What worry or need have you been carrying? Tell God what it is. Ask for the help, provision, wisdom, or endurance you need. Pray honestly about the thing that keeps coming back to your mind.

Who needs healing, comfort, or strength? Pray by name for those facing illness, treatment, grief, or exhaustion. Ask for healing, wise care, and strength for their families and caregivers.

Who in your family or circle of friends needs the Lord’s help? Pray for marriages, children, strained relationships, and people facing hard decisions. Ask God how you can encourage or help them.

Who are you praying will come to faith in Jesus? Name that person before the Lord. Ask Him to open their heart to the gospel and give you an opportunity to speak with them about Christ. Ask for courage to invite them to church.

What do our church and our leaders need from God? Pray for Pastor Jordan, the staff, deacons, and ministry volunteers. Ask for wisdom, humility, unity, and faithfulness to Scripture. Pray also for school and community leaders and those who govern us.

LEADER CUE: Leave 30–45 seconds after each prompt. As time allows, name requests shared earlier and allow further quiet prayer.

Pray together aloud

“Would two or three people pray briefly for the needs we’ve brought before the Lord? The rest of us will join you as you pray.”

LEADER CUE: Allow about two minutes. Then close with the prayer below.

“Father, You know each person we have named. Please heal the sick, comfort those who are grieving, and provide for those who are struggling. Give our leaders wisdom. Save the people we love who do not know You. Show us how to care for them, and give us courage to speak about Jesus. We trust these needs to You. Amen.”

kY Yield

5 minutes  |  Be still before God and surrender to His wisdom and timing.

Scripture and transition

Acts 10:48 — “And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” (ESV excerpt)

“When those people believed in Jesus, there was a step of obedience to take. We have steps to take too. We’ve asked God to work. Now let’s surrender our own plans and be willing to follow Him. We’re going to sit quietly before the Lord, reflect on His Word, and ask Him to help us obey.”

LEADER CUE: Read each prompt slowly. Leave about 30 seconds after each, followed by one full minute of uninterrupted silence.

Guide the congregation in prayer

What am I trying to control? Bring that person, situation, or outcome to the Lord. Pray, “Father, I trust You with this. Help me do what is mine to do and leave the outcome with You.”

Where am I struggling with God’s timing? Tell Him where waiting has become difficult. Ask for patience and faithfulness while you wait.

What has God already made clear in His Word that I need to obey? Consider an apology, forgiveness, baptism after believing, or loving someone you have avoided. Ask Him for the courage to take that step.

Am I willing for God to change my plans? Pray, “Lord, my life belongs to You. Help me receive Your direction and follow You, even when it is uncomfortable.”

LEADER CUE: During the final minute, let the room remain quiet. Invite people to listen attentively to what God has shown them in Scripture. Give them space without requiring anyone to report an impression or speak aloud.

Closing prayer

“Father, thank You for meeting us in Your Word tonight. Thank You for the grace You have shown us through Jesus. We confess that we still try to hold on to control. Help us trust Your wisdom and Your timing. Give us the courage to obey what You have made clear, and make us willing to show others the grace we have received. Use Cedar Bay to help people hear the gospel and follow Jesus. We place these needs and our lives in Your hands. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Dismissal

“Before you leave, settle on one step you need to take this week. If you need to talk about trusting Jesus, being baptized, joining the church, or something we’ve prayed about tonight, I’d be glad to talk with you. Let’s follow through on what the Lord has shown us.”