02/04/2025
CHRIST CHURCH- PRAYER GUIDE
The Week of February 3- 9, 2025
Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble.
But since the power of prayer is in the One who hears it and
Not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.
--Max Lucado
Dear Christ Church folks…this week we begin a new initiative in praying. We all pray. Some of us start and end the day in prayer. Some pray throughout the day. Some have a set prayer time, while others lean more to being spontaneous (in the moment). The main thing, of course, is that we pray. Nothing is more vital to our spiritual life than to be in God’s wonderful presence…and to have God’s ear.
Not only do we need to pray, but our loving God wants us to pray. Sure, he already knows what we might say…because he knows what’s in our hearts and what’s going on in our lives. And yet, so eager is God to be with us that we only need to speak his name and we have God’s full attention.
Besides, Jesus told us to ask God in our praying. It happened one day when Jesus returned from one of his frequent times alone with the Father. His disciples had noticed something different about Jesus when he returned from these times…like he was renewed, more attentive.
So, they asked him, “Lord, teach us to pray.” For them, that was a strange request. As Jews, they had been praying their whole lives. Several times a day even. But really, what they were asking was, “Lord, teach us to pray as you do.” In other words, they wanted something that was missing from their prayer lives. They wanted that closeness and intimacy with the Father, too.
Jesus then gave them a “model prayer,” what we know as The Lord’s Prayer. It includes praise, thanksgiving and petition on our part.
Afterwards, Jesus said this: “Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK: Luke 11:1- 13 (Read each day)
What other insights come to mind as you read the scripture? Keep a notebook handy and write them down. Also, for you personally, what do you hope/expect to get from your praying?
We have been talking about God’s new thing since the beginning of the year.
Behold, I am doing a new thing;
Now it springs forth,
do you not perceive it?
Are we able to perceive what God is doing right now in the life of our church? Can we see how He is working in our own lives? What would we like to pray for God to make happen at Christ Church? And for us, personally? Be specific…and maybe include these in your daily prayer.
PRAYER FOCUS
Lord, I come to you today in prayer for my church. May we be a haven of blessing for all who come to us; a lighthouse for those seeking good news and grace; a beacon of hope and joy for those needing assurance and comfort; a bright flame for those who long for a new life.
Lord, send us families and children.
Lord, send us new people who are looking for a place to be welcomed…
a place to grow closer to you…
a place where our gifts and graces can glorify you.
Open my mind and hearts so that I can perceive you and all you would have us be and do.
Touch me again, Lord, that I may feel your love and joy.
Open my eyes that I may see those around me who have need,
and move me to compassion and service in your name.
O Lord, I praise you, I adore you, I am so thankful that you are in my life.
Lord, Jesus, I pray all this and more in your precious name. Amen.
ADDITIONAL CONCERNS
As we pray for our church, ourselves and each other, we are mindful of other concerns this week:
Walt Farris and family…Pat went to her heavenly home on Sunday. Her celebration service is this Friday at Christ Church, 2:30 (visitation prior to the service).
Walt Shriner (consult with the doctor on Thursday)
Christ Love Preschool
First Responders
Our Nation, President and Congress
Local Leaders and Community
School Teachers
Those Impacted by Hurricane Helene
(Pray for all other concerns you may have.)
We pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
