Encouragement 

Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, according to Christ Jesus, so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with one mind and one voice. (Romans 15:5-6)

Let’s begin ABIDE by taking a moment to ask the Spirit to fill us and guide our time of prayer. Simply, close your eyes and invite the Spirit to fill you and guide you as you pray. 

Prayers of Gratitude 

Our Heavenly Father desires to encourage us and for us to encourage one another.  Encouragement has several meanings in Scripture. It can mean to exercise a gentle influence by words; to soothe, comfort, console or to cheer, exhort or to call for, admonish, persuade.   Encouragement is a powerful gift in that God uses it to change the way we see, feel and respond to one another and to the circumstances in our lives.  

Let’s thank our Heavenly Father for the gift of encouragement He gives us. Thank God for various ways He encourages you.   

Prayer: God, thank you for encouraging me when _______________________ (fill in the blank with a time in your life when God encouraged you). 

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and so that he may encourage your hearts. (Colossians 4:8)

Let’s also thank God for people He has sent to encourage us. Who comes to mind when you think of someone who has encouraged you? 

Prayer: God, thank you for____________________ (fill in the blank with the name of someone who has encouraged you). 

Prayers for Your Heart 

Where do you need to receive encouragement today?  Let’s ask our Heavenly Father who loves us and desires to encourage us to help us receive His encouragement.   

Prayer:  God, I need you to encourage me _______________________ (fill in the blank with whatever area in your life or relationships that you need encouragement). Help me to receive your encouragement and set me free from all discouragement as I put my trust in you. In Jesus’ Name. 

Prayers for Other’s Hearts 

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Who is the Spirit bringing to mind who needs to be encouraged?  Let’s pray for God to encourage their hearts today and help them to receive God’s encouragement. 

Prayer:  God, we/I pray for ____________________ (fill in the blank with the name of the person who needs encouragement). Help _______________ to receive your encouragement and set them free from any discouragement. In Jesus’ Name. 

Closing Prayer  

And let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25)

Let’s close today’s ABIDE by asking God to help us, teach us and empower us by His Spirit to speak words of encouragement to one another and for us to be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading to encourage others.  

• Take a moment to pray silently or aloud as a group and ask God to lead us and empower us by His Spirit to encourage others.  May we be men and women who readily receive God’s encouragement and encourage one another!