Prayer Pointers
Jubilee Church is committed to prayer. In this blog post Becky Floy gives us practical advice to help us in our prayer time.
Sometimes our prayers feel like they could do with a refresh. We can feel a bit stuck or end up praying the same phrases over and over. One of the ways that we can inject new life into our prayers is by looking at the things the early church prayed for and then doing the same!
Here are just a few examples from the apostle Paul and from Jesus himself. There’s one for each day of the week…
Thank God for the faith of those around you
“We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3)
• Whose faith is encouraging you at the moment?
• Who has demonstrated love this week?
• Who is enduring through hardship?
• Thank God for them!
Pray for wisdom and fruit in the lives of believers
“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:9-10)
• Who needs God’s wisdom and understanding today?
• Who needs courage to step out in what God is calling them to do?
• What ‘good works’ do you want to see bear fruit this week? What could that look like?
Pray that God would save unbelievers
“Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.” (Romans 10:1)
• Ask the Holy Spirit: Who do you want me to pray for today to come to know you?
• Who feels out of God’s reach? Pray for that person.
• Who are the prodigals that God is calling back home?
Pray for protection
“Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name…My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” (John 17:11, 15)
• Who do know that is serving God in another nation?
• Who do you know that is in a difficult or volatile situation?
• Which family member needs to know the Father’s protection today?
Pray for Christlikeness
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17)
• Ask God to bring to mind the name of a young person you know. Pray that God would set them apart for Him, full of the Holy Spirit and growing in holiness.
• Pray for yourself, that the truth of scripture would change you from the inside out.
Pray for those who will believe
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in (Jesus) through their message, that all of them may be one, Father” (John 17:20)
• Think of a church you know. Pray that the message of Jesus would be communicated clearly and faithfully and that unbelievers would respond.
• Who do you know that is new to faith? Pray that they would be welcomed and discipled by those around them.
• Imagine gathering at the foot of the cross with all those that believe. Pray for unity with those around you, that is rooted in Jesus.
Pray that God’s Kingdom would extend in the world
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
• Where in the world do you want to see God’s kingdom break in right now?
• Which family member needs a miracle today?
• How would you love to see God’s presence break out in your workplace?
• In which places or situations do you want to see God’s love, peace, freedom, healing or justice break in?
Thank you Becky
Video: Keep Praying
