Walk by Faith 

Pain, suffering and loss seem to be all around us. We hear of it. We see it. We experience it and it appears to be escalating each day. To ignore the pain, suffering and loss does not give us peace. Denial is no source of strength. And yet, focusing on pain and darkness will lead us to despair and hopelessness. However, there is another way and it is the way of faith. Faith, believing and trusting God wholeheartedly, is the prepared path for God’s sons and daughters to walk upon so that we can receive His hope, peace, strength and even joy when it feels like we are surrounded by pain, suffering and loss. 

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, “Jesus, I trust you.” 

(If you are leading a small group through ABIDE, pray the next prayer over those you are leading.) 

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. 

Prayers of Praise 

One of the most powerful and effective ways to build our faith is through praise. Praise is proclaiming the excellence, the value and worth, of God. When we praise God, we are exalting Him and giving Him the glory that He alone is worthy of receiving. Praise takes our eyes off of us and all that surrounds us and puts our eyes on Jesus. 

Read the following verse and then take a few moments to praise Jesus for who He is! 

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8)

Prayer: Jesus, I/we praise you for ___________________________________. 

Prayers for Our Hearts 

Scripture tells us, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)  The word faith means to trust. God is telling us, His sons and daughters, to trust Him as we walk through life instead of trusting what we see along life’s journey. 

What do you need to trust God with today?  What has the enemy exalted?  Let’s choose to walk by faith and trust our faithful God who loves us with whatever the Spirit brings to mind. 

Prayer:  God, I/we choose to walk by faith in _______________________ (fill in the blank with whatever the Spirit brings to mind). 

Prayers for Other’s Hearts 

Scripture tells us, “For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18) 

As we walk by faith and trust in God’s eternal plan, we are able to see our current sufferings from a different perspective. We desperately need God’s eternal perspective as we walk through pain, suffering and darkness and so do those around us. 

Let’s pray for those who the Spirit brings to mind and ask God to help them trust Him and His faithfulness to produce eternal glory as they walk through afflictions or trials of any portion. 

Prayer:  God, I/we pray for ______________________________ and ask that you help him/her to trust you with their whole heart. Remind him/her of how deeply you love them and that you will walk with them through this trial. Reveal your glory to him/her and produce eternal glory through this trial. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Closing Prayer

God, thank you for transforming our hearts, minds and life through your Word and your presence. We choose to walk by faith and at the same time recognize we can’t do this apart from the help of your Spirit. So, we ask you to help us and empower us by your Spirit to walk by faith. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.