ABIDE Prayer: Praying for Revival
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.
At the outset of the book of Nehemiah, we find Nehemiah learning of the terrible condition of his nation’s capitol, Jerusalem. This causes him to be deeply troubled, and then to seek the Lord in prayer.
Here is how that prayer begins:
Read verses 4-5: When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of the heavens. I said, Lord, the God of the heavens, the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps his gracious covenant with those who love him and keep his commands…
We have brokenness in our lives, families, community and nation. We desperately need God to awaken our hearts and give us a passion for prayer. Like Nehemiah, prayer must be the response to the trouble and brokenness in our lives, families and nation.
Prayer for Freedom
We need God to set us free from anything that is hindering us from praying. Wounds from our past, lies from the enemy and seeking false fulfillment are some of the things that deeply impact our prayer life.
Prayer: Fill in the blanks with one or two words as we pray for freedom to pray. God, we need you to set us free from___________________and awaken our hearts to pray and seek your face.
Prayers of Praise
Nehemiah goes on to speak back to the Lord many of the wonderful works he has done. There is something powerful about praying the Word and praising God!
What does the Word of God tell us about Him? Let’s focus on Jesus and thank him for who He says He is. Think about the names or phrases that describe the Lord in the Bible.
“Lord, I the Bible says that you are _________________.” Fill in the blank with one of the ways the Bible describes the Lord Jesus. (“You are our rock. You are the Lion of Judah.”)
Prayers of Intercession
God has promised to hear our prayers. In Matthew 7:7, Jesus instructed his disciples: “Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.”
In fact, after Nehemiah, made his confession, he prayed a very specific request in 1:11 as a response to hearing of God’s people in great trouble and disgrace: “Please, Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to that of your servants who delight to revere your name.”
We have pain, brokenness and bondage in our lives, families, community and nation. Let’s pray the following, “Lord, we seek you on behalf of _________________. Bring your healing, your freedom and your deliverance.”
Prayers of Thanksgiving
Thank God for His faithfulness, His promises, His power to heal and set us free. Thank God for how He is working in our lives and those we interceded for today through the power of prayer.
