ABIDE Prayer: Jesus’ Invitation
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 our Creator and one of the ways God reveals Himself to us is through His creations (Genesis 1:27, Romans 1:20). God is also the Creator of the new heaven and the new earth and the Giver of new and eternal life.
Jesus invites us to freely receive new and eternal life in Him.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. Then I heard a loud voice from the throne. Look, God’s dwelling place is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away. Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life” (Revelation 21:1-6).
Prayers of Praise
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Alpha and Omega, changed everything. Let’s praise Jesus for who He is and how our lives are changed for eternity because of Jesus.
Lord, we praise you because you are _____________ (Creator, Redeemer, Healer, Savior, Giver of Eternal Life, Lamb of God) and my life is forever changed.
Prayers of Thanksgiving
Jesus tells the Samaritan Woman in John 4:13-14, “Everyone who drinks from this water will get thirsty again. But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again. In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up in him for eternal life.”
Jesus invites us to freely drink the water He offers and promises that it will quench our thirst for eternity. Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God, and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would ask him, and he would give you living water” (John 4:10).
Let’s thank Jesus for how our lives are changed for eternity because He gave us His life.
Lord, thank you for the gift of living water that you offer me and all those who receive you. Thank you for _____________ (fill in the blank with something you are grateful that Jesus gave you through His life).
Prayers for Our Hearts
The invitation Jesus offers us is to receive salvation and eternal life but also to quench our daily thirst by experiencing “true fulfillment” in Him. Where are you “thirsty” in your life and need Jesus to quench your thirst?
Lord, I am dry and thirsty and need you to quench my thirst for _____________ (fill in the blank with something that your heart needs; peace, approval, comfort, hope, strength).
Prayers for the Lost
When we think of the gift of eternal life, it is a reminder that we need to pray for those who have not responded to the invitation to drink living water. Pray for someone in your life who is lost.
Lord, _____________ needs to hear and receive the good news that they are freely invited into a relationship with you that will change their lives for all of eternity. Open their eyes and hearts to see and receive you as their Lord and Savior.
Closing Prayer
God, thank you for the invitation to freely come to you and receive. We confess our greatest need is for you and the living water that you provide through a relationship with Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
