January 25, 2010

When we pray with a God focused attitude, amazing things can happen. Look up Acts 4:31-32! It says that the whole place was shaken up, and obviously, people began to relate to one another in a healthy and generous way. Your prayers matter. Here is one way you may work with God to help transform your weekly church services, and maybe even, your own perspective to a more God-focused one.

–Pastor Sabine

How to Pray for a Worship Service*

Scripture

Read the Scripture passage noted in the bulletin for today’s sermon

Adoration

-Praise God for entering our place of worship
-Adore God for who He is: loving, gracious, holy, just, compassionate, and so on.
-Sing a song of praise

Silence

Wait in silence for a few moments-listening to God for His wisdom to pray for today’s worship service

Prayer for the worship service

-Pray for excitement, worship, and praise to take place, that God might be honored and glorified throughout the worship time.
-Ask the Holy Spirit to prepare the heart of every worshiper so the music, message, and prayers might speak to them. Ask the -Spirit to assist people in setting aside any distracting “noises.” Ask God for teachable hearts.
-Request the manifestation of God’s presence in the services (Ps. 22:3)
-Pray for visitors. Pray that they will feel welcomed and loved. Pray that God will open their eyes and convict their hearts about -Jesus Christ. Pray that they might desire to become a part of God’s family.
-Pray for a spirit of thanksgiving in the musicians and singers (Ps. 100:4). Speak blessings over the choir and worship leaders. -Pray they will effectively lead people into worship. Pray that they will illustrate the joy of the Lord.
-Ask the Holy Spirit to protect and anoint the pastor so he or she will boldly preach the Word.
-Pray for many hearts to be open to receiving the message, for hearts to be stirred. Ask the Holy Spirit to loosen a spirit of conviction for sin and desire for conversion in the worship service.
-Ask God to bind unbelief and doubt, as well as apathy to the glory of God.
-Pray for physical and emotional healing to come to people throughout the congregation.
-Pray for biblical worship-that which includes the emotions as well as reason. Rebuke the spirit of entertainment and any meaningless religious routines.

Thanksgiving

-Ask God to give people a spirit of worship and thanksgiving throughout the coming week and to apply what the Spirit has convicted them of in worship.
-Thank God for his faithfulness in answering your prayers.
-Thank God for a wonderful opportunity to worship, and ask God that this might be the beginning of revival across your nation.
-Thank God for any specific words/answers/insights God revealed while you were praying.

*Doug Kamstra’s Praying Church Idea Book is a great resource!