ABIDE Prayer Guide
A New Creation in Christ
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Scripture tells us that when we receive Christ as our Savior, we are new creations. God gives us a new life in Christ. We are no longer defined by our past, our sins or our good deeds. The world does not define us. As God’s sons and daughters, we are defined by what our Father says about us – and He says we are a new creation.
Opening Prayer
Let’s begin ABIDE by taking a moment to quiet our hearts and minds before God. Simply take a deep breath and exhale slowly. You may want to pray a “breath prayer” as you inhale and exhale, such as, “I am a new creation.”
Note: If you are leading a small group through ABIDE, pray the first prayer below over those you are leading. If you are praying ABIDE alone, use the second prayer.
Prayer: Father, we love you and we need you. Holy Spirit, fill us and lead us as we gather to pray and study Scripture. We dedicate this time to you and what you have for us to receive from you as your sons and daughters. Remove any distractions and help us to focus our hearts on you. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Prayer: Father, I give my heart to you. I surrender every area of my life to you. I choose to trust you with my whole heart and with everything in my life. You are my good, good Father who loves me. Thank you for being faithful, all-knowing and all-powerful. Remove any distractions from me and help me focus on you. Holy Spirit, fill me and help me discern your voice as I pray. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Prayers of Thanksgiving
Question: What has Jesus Christ done in your life that is a testimony (tells the story) of how He has changed your life? Take a few moments and think about what Jesus has done in your life and thank Him.
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for _____________________________ (fill in the blank with a way your life or family has been changed because of the new life you’ve been given in Christ).
Prayers for My Heart
I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
Because Christ lives in us, we can live our lives differently as we put our faith in Him and in His power to work in us and through us.
Question: Where do you need Jesus to work in you and through you today so that you are living as a new creation in Christ?
Prayer: Jesus, I need your grace and truth to be poured out in __________________________. Help me receive your grace and truth so I can live like a new creation who belongs to you. In Jesus Name.
(Fill in the blank with whatever situation, trial, relationship or perhaps emotions/mindsets that you need Jesus to help you feel/think/live as a new creation in Christ).
Prayer for Other’s Hearts
The enemy’s voice may seem very loud today, but his voice will never have power over God’s Word and what He says about who we are as His beloved sons and daughters. Living as a new creation in Christ demands that we tell others of our rescue story- including other brother and sisters in Christ.
I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters; I will praise you in the assembly. (Psalms 22:22)
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Prayer: Ask the Spirit to speak to your heart and bring to mind a brother or sister in Christ who needs to be encouraged. Take a moment to pray for him/her. Ask God to set him/her free from any lies the enemy is telling them about their identity and to believe the truth that they are new creations in Christ.
Closing Prayer
Father, thank you for rescuing us from the domain of darkness and bringing us into your Kingdom. Thank you for making us New Creations in Christ. We love you and give all praise and glory to you.
Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless and with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now, and forever. Amen. (Jude 1:24-25).
