ABIDE Prayer
The purpose of ABIDE is to help us draw near to God in prayer as we gather in small groups or as we spend time alone with God.
GOD OUR CREATOR
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)
Our world belongs to God. He created all things and all things were created for His glory. The beauty of a sunset, the kaleidoscope of trees that make up the rain forest, the ebbs and flows of the tide, the diversity of wildlife found from the hottest desert to the coldest mountaintop – all of it was created by the breath of His word. He is our Creator God and the world belongs to Him!
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, “God, you are my creator.”
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: Lord, we give our hearts and lives to you. We surrender all that is within us to you. We love you and we need you. Spirit, fill us and lead us as we pray. We consecrate this time of prayer to you. Remove any distractions and help us focus on you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Personal Prayer: Lord, 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 that you are 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 Praise & Thanksgiving
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands. Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge. There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard. Their message has gone out to the whole earth, and their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming from his home; it rejoices like an athlete running a course. It rises from one end of the heavens and circles to their other end; nothing is hidden from its heat. (Psalm 19:1-6)
God reveals Himself to us daily through the work of his hands. Let’s praise and thank God for revealing Himself to us through His creation including through people created in His image.
Prayer: God, we/I praise you and thank you for revealing yourself through _________________ (fill in the blank with something that God reveals Himself through such as the stars, birds, child’s laughter, His hope in someone suffering).
Prayers for My Heart
So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female. (Genesis 1:27)
We’ve been made in the image of God, and of course, the enemy wants to rob us of that reflection. The enemy wants us to believe his lies, follow his ways and appear to look more like the world than a son or daughter of God.
However, our identity as God’s son or daughter is secure. Colossians 3:3 tells us, “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
The enemy has no power over our identity in Christ. It is our inheritance and it can’t be stolen. However, the enemy can rob us of reflecting our identity in Christ as we believe his lies and follow whatever direction they may lead us.
Question: How is the enemy robbing you of reflecting the image of God? You might want to spend a moment in silence and ask the Spirit to bring to mind ways that the enemy is robbing you of reflecting God’s image (for example, performing, legalism, shame, jealousy, fear, etc.).
God forgive me/us for believing the lie that ________________________ and set me/us free so that we reflect our true identity – a son/daughter created in your image.
Prayer for Other Hearts
Let’s invite the Lord to restore what the enemy has sought to destroy.
Prayer: God, you created us to reflect your image. Set us free from the enemy and restore _______________________ (fill in the blank with areas of our lives and families that need restoration. Example: Lord, restore our identity, our hearts, our children’s hearts, our marriages, our purpose, our passion to live for you, etc).
Closing Prayer
God, help us see others this week as people created in your image who are valuable and significant to you. Help us to love others and bless others through your Spirit within us. Show us how to pray for the people you put in our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
