ABIDE Prayer: Deeper into Prayer
The purpose of ABIDE is to seek God through prayer, rely on the Spirit as we gather together, and pray with unity and purpose. ABIDE prayers are Scripture-led and Spirit-focused prayers.
God is so loving and gracious to us to teach us and lead us into a deeper relationship with Him through prayer. As we begin our ABIDE time, be mindful that your Heavenly Father desires to speak to your heart and reveal Himself to you. You may want to commit to asking God daily to increase your desire to seek Him in prayer.
Opening Prayer: Holy Spirit, speak to us and lead us as pray. Slowly read Psalm 138:1-3 as a prayer to God:
“I will give you thanks with all my heart; I will sing your praise before the heavenly beings. I will bow toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your constant love and truth. You have exalted your name and your promise above everything else. On the day I called, you answered me; you increased strength within me.” (Psalm 138:1-3)
Prayers of Thanksgiving
Prayer: Lord, with all my/our heart, thank you for ____________________ (fill in the blank with whatever you want to thank God for in your life or family or church).
Prayers of Exaltation
Scripture tells us, “You have exalted your name and promise above everything else” (Psalm 138:2b). God’s name and promises are above everything else! Let’s agree in prayer with what God says about His name and His promises.
Prayer: God, thank you that you are exalted above _________________ (fill in the blank with whatever trials, burdens or perhaps emotions and spiritual warfare that you, your family or beyond (community/nation) is experiencing).
Prayers for Strength
God promises that when we call out to Him in prayer, He answers us and increases His strength within us (Psalm 138: 3).
Prayer: God, I/we call out to you today and ask for you to increase your strength within me/us. Increase my/our strength in ___________________ (fill in the blank with specific areas of your life – your heart, life, family).
Now, let’s turn our attention to praying for others who need God’s strength, especially during the holiday season.
Prayer: God, increase your strength in ___________________ (fill in the blank with either specific names of people or groups of people (such as those suffering illnesses, without jobs, single parents, etc.) that the Spirit puts on your heart.
Closing Prayer: God, thank you for your constant love and truth. I/We need you to help me/us become more aware of your constant love towards me/us. Thank you that your truth is constant and does not change, regardless of what is going on in our lives or world. You are unchanging. I/We give my/our whole heart to you today to receive all that you have for me/us through the study of your Word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
