Wednesday Praise & Prayer Service

This evening we are going to spend time in prayer and worship. We will be using the Lord’s prayer as our guide.

Getting Focused (5-10min)

A. Our prayer theme this evening is: Refocus

B. Friendly reminders:

1. Prayer is simply having a conversation with God

2. Silence is okay

3. People should pray as they feel comfortable

Step 1: “Our Father who art in heaven…”

Here, Jesus also directs us to acknowledge God as our Father in heaven.

God is the creator of the universe, the alpha and omega, the King of Kings, the Almighty. But, He is also our good, good Father who loves us and wants an intimate relationship with us.

Beginning prayer by calling him “Father” and praising His name brings us into His presence the right way; with reverence and awe, but also with intimacy and relationship.

You aren’t just praying to a distant, powerful King. You are praying to the loving, tender God of your heart, who knows you fully and loves you deeply.

The words we choose have power; don’t be hesitant or afraid to call Him your Heavenly Father.

Let’s take some time and pray a prayer of adoration and praise. Praise God for who he is, your Heavenly Father.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100:4-5 (NIV)

Step 2: “…hallowed be your name.”

The word “hallowed” here means “honored as holy.” The first step to any prayer is to give God glory and honor and praise. This positions our hearts to be aware of God’s presence as we pray.

Let’s take some time and pray a prayer for the glory of God. Worship God with adoration and respect.

I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

Psalm 145:1-3 (NIV)

Step 3: “Thy kingdom come.”

Thank and praise God for His Kingdom and pray for His Kingdom to expand.

Let’s take some time to pray a prayer for more of God on Earth. Pray to acknowledge God as the sovereign ruler of your life, desiring more of His kingdom here on earth.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

John 15:5-8 (NIV)

Step 4: “Thy will be done (on earth as it is in heaven).”

Let’s take some time and pray a prayer for God’s plan, not mine. Pray to submit your will to God, following where he leads in trust and obedience.

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

2 John 1:6 (NIV)

Step 5: “Give us this day our daily bread.”

Let’s take some time and pray a prayer for God’s physical and spiritual provision in your life and the lives of those you love no matter how insignificant we think it is.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Step 6: “And forgive us our debts.”

Let’s take some time and pray a prayer of confession and repentance. Pray to confess your sins and ask for God’s forgiveness. Pray to repent, turning from those sins and walking closer to God’s path.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

1 John 1:8-10 (NIV)

Step 7: “As we have also forgiven our debtors.”

Let’s take some time to pray a prayer to forgive others. Pray for God’s help in forgiving others and living a life of love.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)

Step 8: “And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from evil.”

Let’s take some time and pray a prayer for protection from evil. Pray for God’s help and protection from sin and temptation.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:10-17 (NIV)

Step 9 Doxology and Prayer of Praise to God: “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.”

Remind yourself God has the power to do far more than you can imagine.

Let’s take some time and pray for all things to be done to God’s glory and believe that God is faithful to answer your prayers.

David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

1 Chronicles 29:10-13 (NIV)