ABIDE Prayer
The purpose of ABIDE is to help connect our hearts to God in a deeper way and receive the Spirit’s help and guidance as we gather to pray and study Scripture.
Monthly Focus: Awaken
During the next 30 days, we are joining churches around our community to pray for God to awaken the hearts of people who do not have a relationship with Christ. To participate in this prayer movement, ask God to give you the names of 7 people (family, friends, neighbors, co-workers) to pray for the next month.
Aligning our Hearts with God
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, “Father, thank you.”
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.
Small Group 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.
Personal 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
Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
Prayer: Let’s take a moment and thank Jesus for giving His life for us – saving us and giving us a new life in Him so that we can boldly (freely, with confidence) come before Him in prayer. Tell Jesus what you are grateful for when you think of Him and how He has forever changed your life.
Prayer for Our Heart
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 Jesus to set you free from anything that is hindering you from seeking Him in prayer and receiving more of His abundant life.
- Pray silently or aloud with those in your small group
Prayer for Others Hearts
The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect. (James 5:16b)
As we pray for people in our lives, we are fighting a spiritual battle with the greatest weapon God gave us – prayer! Prayer is how we battle for our hearts – and for the hearts of others. The enemy knows the power of prayer so he does whatever he can to distract us from praying.
Prayer: Let’s ask God to show us how the enemy is distracting us from praying and set us free to pray – battle for the hearts of others (especially the 7 people we are praying for this month).
As the Lord brings various distractions to mind pray, ask God to help you see the distraction clearly as something pulling you away from Him. Ask God to help you – set you free from those distractions and give you a passion for prayer.
* Again, you can pray silently or aloud with those in your small group
Closing 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. Awaken our hearts to you and to prayer. Give us discernment to hear your voice as you call us and empower us to pray. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
