Prayer
The purpose of ABIDE is to seek God through prayer, rely on the Spirit as we gather together, and pray with unity and purpose. ABIDE prayers are Scripture-led and Spirit-focused prayers.
Prayer Focus: PRAYER
Prayer is interacting with God. Prayer takes many forms, such as praising God, interceding for others, prayers of thanksgiving, prayers of lament, prayers for desires and prayers of desperate pleas.
Prayer is our greatest spiritual weapon against Satan and all of his demons. Prayer is the connection of our hearts to God and the way in which we commune with the Spirit. Is it no wonder that the enemy is most threatened when God’s people pray?
For the next several weeks, our focus in ABIDE is on Prayer. Let’s begin our ABIDE time today by thanking God for the incredible gift of prayer.
Prayers of Thanksgiving
Prayer: God, thank you for the gift of prayer. Thank you for __________________________ (fill in the blank with something specific you are grateful for about prayer).
“The LORD will send his faithful love by day; his song will be with me in the night – a prayer to the God of my life.” (Psalm 42:8)
Prayers for Our Relationship With God
Prayer: God, we need you to give us a desire to pray. We need your Spirit to work in our hearts and give us a passion for prayer. We need you to set us free from anything that is hindering us from seeking you in prayer.
“As a deer longs for flowing streams, so I long for you, God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I come and appear before God?” (Psalm 42:1-2)
Prayer: Take a moment and silently give your “prayer life” to God. Invite God to work in your heart and life in a way that leads to a deeper relationship with Him. Ask the Spirit to help you discern his voice and anoint you to pray.
Freedom Prayers
“Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42:11)
Prayer: God, show us where the enemy is distracting us from praying. We need you to open our eyes to see how the enemy is hindering us from seeking you in prayer.
As the Lord brings various distractions to mind pray, “God, forgive us for being distracted by _____________________ (fill in the blank with distractions) and help us know when the enemy is using __________________ to distract us from praying.”
“You are my King, my God, who ordains victories for Jacob. Through you we drive back our foes; through your name we trample our enemies.” (Psalm 44:4-5)
Prayer: God, thank you that our prayers are powerful because you’ve chosen to use prayer to fight spiritual battles and transform our lives and homes. Show us what we need to pray for over the next 2 weeks. As the Spirit puts prayer needs on your heart pray, “God, help us to pray for ___________________________ (fill in the blank with prayer needs). Holy Spirit, prompt us and direct us to pray for _____________________.”
Closing Prayer
God, thank you for the gift of prayer. Thank you for the gift of gathering to pray and study Scripture. Speak to us and lead us into a deeper relationship with you and with one another. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
