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.
OUR STORY
‘Go back to your home, and tell all that God has done for you.’ And off he went, proclaiming throughout the town how much Jesus had done for him. (Luke 8:39)
We are blessed sons and daughters whose life stories have been changed through the Gospel. However, the enemy does not want our life story to be a story that tells of the power and grace of the Gospel. Yet, God’s plan is that our life stories be evidence of the Gospel and point others to Him, just like the man in Luke 8:39 who Jesus set free from the enemy and forever changed his life story.
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, “Father, I belong to you.”
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
God’s Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12) and it has the power to transform us (Romans 12:2) and set us free from strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4). Let’s open our hearts to God’s Word as we read the following verses, slowly and prayerfully, exalting our God above anything that we are walking through in our lives today.
Blessed be the Lord! Day after day he bears our burdens; God is our salvation. (Psalm 68:19)
LORD, there is no one like you. You are great; your name is great in power. (Jeremiah 10:6)
Lord God, you have begun to show your greatness and your strong hand to your servant, for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can perform deeds and mighty acts like yours? (Deuteronomy 3:24)
Prayers for Our Hearts
Come and listen, all who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for me. (Psalm 66:16)
Question: When you think of your life – your life story – what are your grateful for? What has God done in your life that you want others to know?
Prayer: God, thank you for ________________________________ (fill in the blank with what the Spirit brings to mind that God has done in your life to change your life story). In Jesus’ Name.
Question: What are you facing in your life today that feels overwhelming or painful? Ask God to help you trust Him with your life story even in the midst of pain or confusion or uncertainty of today.
Prayer: God, help me trust you with __________________________ (fill in the blank with whatever the Spirit brings to mind). I choose to believe that you are doing great things in my life story for your purposes. In Jesus’ Name.
Prayers for Others Hearts
Our opening verse in today’s ABIDE tells us to, ‘Go back to your home, and tell all that God has done for you.’ And off he went, proclaiming throughout the town how much Jesus had done for him. (Luke 8:39)
Who in your life needs to hear what God has done to change your life story? Let’s pray for the Spirit to bring people to mind who need to hear our story and ask God to lead us to know when and how to share our story.
Prayer: God, lead me and give me wisdom, discernment and anointing of your Spirit to share my story with _________________________ (fill in the blank with the name of the person you are praying for). In Jesus’ Name.
Closing Prayer
Jesus, thank you for the gift of life. Thank you that my life story is really about the story of your love and pursuit of me/us. Thank you for loving me/us, pursuing me/us and giving me/us a new life story, filled with your grace, healing, freedom and the promise of eternal life with you, a forever story with my/our Savior. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
