The Lord's Prayers by Pastor Norman Wong
JOYFUL, ABUNDANT LIVING
This small booklet of ‘set prayers” is being written with the firm conviction that God, your Father in Heaven, would like you to live a joyful, meaningful life. Our Lord Jesus said: ‘I have come in order that you might have life---life in all its fullness.’ (John 10:10) This does not mean a life free from troubles and difficulties. God did not promise to give us a ‘care-free’ life. Rather He promised to help us find a way through our difficulties. In a world where anxiety, confusion and strife are commonplace, He promises to lead us to a place of inward peace and rest. I believe this can only happen when we learn to pray consistently. It is my prayer that this booklet will help you do just that. Here’s what you need to do.
ANYTIME - SPECIAL TIMES
Firstly, adjust the pattern of your life to ensure that you have a special time of quiet prayer. Some may ask: “Is it necessary to have a special time set aside for prayer? Surely I can talk to God anytime, anywhere and in anyway I like”
There is a certain amount of truth in that. We certainly can talk to God anytime! As we walk down the road, as we ride in the bus, or drive along in our car. In the middle of a hectic day at home or at work, we can turn our though toward God and utter a brief prayer. We can pray anytime. But we should also pray at special times. Let me try and illustrate this for you. I can talk to my dear wife anytime. Over the breakfast table, while we’re scrambling our son off to school, while we’re driving in the car, while we’re playing with our kids, while we’re watching TV, while reading the newspapers ... Through the day we can have these ‘snatches’ of conversation. But something more is required. If our understanding of each other is to keep growing; if we want to prevent the love we have for one another from going stale--- we will need special times alone with each other; free from any distraction where we can give one another our 1OO% attention.
So it is with our Lord. He yearns that our love relationship with Him should grow deeper with each passing day. Thus in addition to talking to God---anytime, we also need to adjust our lives in order to spend special times alone with Him---giving Him the best of ourselves.
Lord, teach us to pray!
FORM OR FREEDOM?
Secondly, you need to develop a definite pattern for prayer. That’s what this simple book is all about. It’s a collection of “set prayers” patterned on the model of the Lord’s prayer.
You may object: “I agree we should have special quiet times alone with the Lord---but I still don’t see why we need set prayers. Why should we be confined to a rigid form? Should we not rather have the freedom to allow the Holy Spirit to express spontaneous prayers to the Lord?”
It is true that we should always allow the Holy Spirit the freedom to help us pray more effectively and creatively. These “set prayers” are not intended to restrict that freedom. The reason I have found set prayers so very helpful is simply this: my desire to serve the Lord and meet with Him daily is inconsistent at best. I wish I could tell you that I wake up every morning with a song on my heart and a prayer on my lips---that I feel full of the joy of the Lord---that I dance into His presence with thanksgiving---that my heart is full of His love. The honest truth is---I do not. There are days when I wake up and don’t feel like praying. My mind is blank. I cannot sense the Holy Spirit at all.
I feel completely “blah!” It is on days like these that I fall back on my set prayers. I don’t feel like praying---but I begin. I read as earnestly as I can the set prayers. And do you know what happens? Gradually the Holy Spirit begins to lift my heart in worship. My heart which only a few moments ago felt like a stone becomes alive with renewed appreciation for our Lord.
There are days, however, when I do wake up feeling full of joy and I ‘bounce” into the presence of the Lord. On those days my heart is overflowing with praise. My prayers are like a continuous stream. On such days I put aside my set prayers and enjoy the freedom of worshipping God in the fullness of His Holy Spirit.
Set prayers function like a starter to get the engine going. Once the engine is running, the starter is no longer required. So the question is not ‘form or freedom?’---rather the answer is form and freedom.
Incidentally, what I’m suggesting is not a new idea. It has been practised for centuries by the church!
May the Lord use these set prayers to set our hearts on fire with prayer.
BE SPECIFIC IN PRAYER
Thirdly, learn to be specific in prayer when you’re alone. As a rule when Pastors lead the congregation in the Pastoral Prayer---they pray generally, we think of the needs of the congregation as a whole and we mention them in a broad and general way. For example we may say, “Father we ask that each member will sense Your love filling their lives in the week ahead.” This is a very general prayer and is very important and necessary when one is praying on behalf of a large congregation. However, this is not a good model for personal prayer. Personal prayer may begin in a broad general way but it should not stop there. It must go on and focus on specific items.
For example, instead of just praying generally---“Lord please fill my life with a sense of Your love today,” we should go further and identify a particular situation and pray specifically about it. You could pray something like this: “Lord, You know how easily I get irritated when Mr.Y speaks to me in the tone he does. I get a little hit edgy each time he’s in the room. Please Lord fill me with Your love, help me to accept him as he is. Help me to serve him, as if I were serving You. Take away my feelings of irritation and awkwardness.” I hope you understand what I’m trying to say. We need to be definite and specific in our personal prayers. This requires putting more thought into our prayers. Don’t just pray Lord bless my family’. Think! In what specific way would you like the Lord to bless your family. If I were to ask you right now---“what are your ‘top ten’ specific prayer requests?” Could you give me an answer? Jesus said: “Until now you have not asked for anything in my Name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” (John 16:24)
The prayers in this booklet are general prayers. I hope they will stimulate you to pray specifically for the different areas of your life.
FOUNDATIONS FOR JOYFUL LIVING
Fourthly, you must develop the habit of regularly checking your foundations. Life is a balancing act. There are so many different responsibilities and pressures that come at us from different directions that it is easy to lose our balance. We become absorbed and preoccupied with one area of our life which seems to scream for our attention only to find that our neglect of other areas (which at first seem less demanding) has created more serious problems for us in the long run
For example, I well remember the time when I was so absorbed with the ministry that I neglected my health. I had to be hospitalized and was laid off for about a month. My life was out of balance! I think too of a friend who on top of a heavy work schedule, pursued his hobby with great vigor. It was his way of avoiding what began as little tensions in his marriage. The couple has since separated. Perhaps you remember the words of our Lord Jesus, “What good will it be for a man, if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” (Matt 16:26).
It is my hope that as you learn to pray consistently over the many different facets of your life, that the Lord will establish His order---His balance in your life.
These “set prayers” will help take you through each of the following areas:
1. Friendship With God (Am I seeking Him first?)
2. Personal Growth (To be like Jesus)
3. Family (Am I taking them for granted?)
4. Work (How am I coping? Am I too ambitious?)
5. Friends (Am I building meaningful friendships?)
6. Ministry (Do I know my place in His Church? Am I functioning effectively?)
Just think about the different areas mentioned above. Wouldn’t it be marvellous if the Lord helped us establish His order (His Kingdom) in each one of them! Ask! And you will receive. But remember, the set prayers here are very general. They serve as a reminder to stir you to pray specifically for your situation.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Fifthly, you will need to (if you haven’t already) memorize the Lord’s Prayer and understand the beautiful pattern that He has set out for us. You may need to come back and re-read this section a number of times until you fully understand the pattern.
Preparation: Focusing Your Attention On The Lord (1 mm)
Do you remember what Jesus said before giving His disciples the Lord’s Prayer? “When you pray go to your room, close the door. . . “ You need to prepare yourself for prayer. So, find a quiet place. Sit comfortably. Take a few deep breaths (slowly). You may like to turn the palms of your hands upwards in a gesture of “open-ness” and surrender. This is my usual posture. At times though, I vary my position according to how I’m feeling. If I’m very tired and finding it difficult to concentrate---I stand up. Sometimes I kneel. Do whatever you feel will help you fix your attention on the Lord.
You may think one minute is too short. Well, just try it. Sit still for one whole minute, breathing slowly. I usually find that more than enough. But the rule is this: DON’T RUSH---if you feel like taking longer on any aspect of prayer---do it! Take your time to enjoy being with the Lord! This is only a guide. It’s not a rigid rule.
You may like to use one of the set prayers marked “Preparation” to help you focus your attention on the Lord.
Begin With Praise
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name”
You may not feel like praising God. Have your diary or a piece of paper close at hand. I often find distracting thoughts and ideas coming into my head when I try to focus my mind on praising God. So what I do is jot down the things which are important and then re-focus my mind on the Lord. Use one of the set prayers of praise. If possible, read it aloud! If you’re feeling depressed and upset, tell yourself that in just a few moments you can pour out you sorrow to the Lord. But begin with praise. Even in difficult times, the Lord is good ---He is with us---we can praise Him!
Then Cry Out For Help (Intercession)
“May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
After allowing our hearts and minds to rejoice in the wonder and majesty of God, allow the Holy Spirit to change your mood into one of sorrow and weeping. I know this is very difficult at first. If we’re feeling depressed it’s hard to praise. If we’re rejoicing, it’s hard to weep in intercession. But with daily practice, our hearts will become a little more responsive. Both joy and sorrow---together---are appropriate in His awesome presence! (2 Cor 6:10). The person who does not daily have a sense of the Lords sorrow has closed his/her heart and mind to the tragic situation in which we live.
The “set prayers” under “intercession” will take you through the foundations of your personal life and also His church. Don’t forget to be specific!
Daily Bread - Focus on Today
“Give us this day our daily bread.”
Spare a moment remembering the millions of fellow believers in Christ for whom this simple prayer is an earnest cry for their next meal!
For good physical health we need to eat daily. The same is true of our spiritual well-being. We need to feed daily. We need to receive His strength, His Word, His Love---daily! He renews His love to us daily! Yesterday’s blessings were good for yesterday. Don’t live in the past. Earnestly, daily, seek the Lord for fresh nourishment.
I’m so glad the Lord in His wisdom, inserted this simple line into the prayer. I sometimes refer to this section as the “5-minute panic prayer.” Maybe you know what I mean. It happens. We wake up late. We’re rushing. We don’t have time to be alone with the Lord for our usual 20 minutes. We can only squeeze in 5 minutes. Then go straight to one of the paragraphs entitled “Today” which will help you focus on the day ahead. Ask the Lord what He would like you to do during the day (the main priorities) and briefly commit the different aspects of your day specifically to Him. Remember too that you can turn to Him anytime throughout the day.
If I’m not rushing, I usually take time to meditate on a portion of the Bible---God’s Word---our daily bread.
Remember To Have Your Daily Shower (Confession)
“Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.”
Most of us shower everyday (some twice a day!). It’s really so important be clean. So, too, with our spiritual life. You are called to be holy---pure---clean. Water baptism is the great sign of the New Covenant---as you repented your sins were washed away! But this is not just something to do once at your baptism. Repentance and confession is a daily affair. We neglect this daily discipline to our own peril. Do not allow bitterness, unforgiveness and resentment to clutter your life. Don’t allow the impure thoughts, the unkind words, the careless deeds to go unchecked. Allow the Holy Spirit to convict you of sin, so that you may daily live in His righteousness.
Stand for Battle
“Help us not to yield to temptation, Deliver us from the evil one.”
One of the enemy’s favourite tactics is to lull God people to sleep. So often I have been blissfully unaware that I’m in the midst of a raging war. (In some ways, our very lives are the battlefield!).
This line of the prayer helps me to be alert---on guard. Our posture in the warfare is to stand our ground (Eph 6:10-13). Do you have any idea where your points of weakness/temptation are? Are you standing guard?
End With Thanksgiving
“The Kingdom, and the Power and the Glory are Yours---forever Amen.”
We begin with praise, we move through weeping, confession and warfare and we also end with praise and thanksgiving.
We teach our children to say “thank you” even for little things. We should do this as well. Don’t take even God’s little blessings for granted.
As we learn to pray and seek consistently, daily and specifically---I’m sure you will begin to experience His goodness---so you will also be able to thank Him consistently, daily and specifically. The Lord is building His Wonderful Kingdom by His Power. You are a part of that Kingdom. His goodness which you experience is an expression of His gracious kingly rule. Give Him the Glory!
LET’S BEGIN
Enough has been written. It’s time to put theory into practice. I wish you many refreshing moments in the Lord’s presence. I’ve set out seven different sets of prayers each following the pattern of the Lord’s Prayer. I hope you find them helpful. May the Lord cause you to be faithful and consistent in prayer. May you be like a tree planted by the water’s side---bearing much fruit.
Lord teach us to pray.
(A Pattern for Prayer)
1. Preparation: Focusing Your Attention on the Lord
“Go to your room and shut the door”
2. Begin with Praise
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name.”
3. The Cry Out for Help (Intercession)
“May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaver
4. Daily Bread - Focus on Today
“Give us this day our daily bread.”
5. Remember to have your daily shower (confession)
“Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
6. Stand for Battle
“Help us not to yield to temptation, deliver us from the evil one.”
7. End with thanksgiving
“The Kingdom, and the Power and the Glory are Yours---forever. Amen
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“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as the eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isa 40:31).
Father, this morning for a few moments I want to wait upon You ... turn my eves to You.. be still in Your presence. You know my weaknesses ... how so often I feel so weary within myself ... according to Your Word ... as I wait upon You. . .please renew my strength ... as an eagle gliding through the skies is borne by the wind ... please fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit ... lift my heart to praise You ... strengthen me in my inner self ... I ask this in Jesus’ Name.
Our Father In Heaven---You Are Holy (Praise)
Focus: The Lord Is My Shepherd
Father thank You for being my shepherd. You understand me through and through. You know my strengths and my weaknesses. You urge me forward and lead me down new paths of challenge.
You know when I’m tired and in need of rest and refreshment. As I place my life into Your hands, I thank You that You will help me find a proper balance, neither lazing around wasting my life away. nor so overloaded that I lose the joy of serving You. You will teach me to work hard and rest well. Lord Jesus, I willingly take Your yoke upon me. Thank You that Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light.
Your Kingdom Come! (PRAYER)
Father, thank You for the family You have given me ... I ask for Your hand of protection over them ... keep them safe from the many perils of this life especially guard their hearts ... their thoughts ... may all of them come to know and understand Your purpose for their lives ... may they know Your wonderful love for them. Help me to be more understanding ... more concerned ... more appreciative ... more forgiving towards them. Father may Your love grow in my family. Amen.
Jesus said: “And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
Thank You for the dedication of so many small Group Ministry Leaders. You understand the many difficulties we face in learning to care for one another. You know our deep seated prejudices, insecurities, hurts and fears. We long for a true sense of belonging and Christian fellowship yet we are afraid to pursue this because we have been hurt before. Please grant us Your perfect love which casts out all fear. Grant all those involved in the small Group Ministry the perseverance necessary to build friendships that reflect Your love; friendships that can spur us forward, keep us accountable and help us to keep growing in our love for You.
Give Us This Day---Our Daily Bread (Today)
“This the day that the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24)
Today is a brand new day ... which You give to me ... it is filled with opportunities ... and with Your help I intend to take them ...there are:
(i) Things to be done ... (Make up a list and prioritize the items)
Help me do each of these things efficiently ... and joyfully ... as an act of service to You. . .
Help me not to work grudgingly ... not to grumble and complain. . .
causing bitterness and resentment to accumulate in my heart ... rather help me ... in the midst of trouble to turn to You ... and find Your solution. . . Your wisdom ... Your peace.
(ii) People to care for
As I seek to be efficient in doing things ... help me not to be blind to the needs of the people [ meet. I want to do acts of kindness today. . . I want to demonstrate Your concern for people ... Make me a channel of Your peace. . .
And so Lord. . . .I step out into Today ... in Your strength ... thank You for being always close to me.
Forgive Us---As We Forgive (Confession)
Father, I’m sorry that I find it so hard to forgive ... but I want to learn. As I wait now in Your holy presence ... please wash away any bitterness or resentment that may have accumulated in my heart. Please forgive my hardness of heart ... teach me to love even my enemies. Teach me to forgive freely, just as You freely forgive me.
Deliver Us From Temptation And The Evil One (Warfare)
Father, teach me what it means to he “battle-ready”, alert and prepared for the spiritual warfare that is constantly raging about us. Guard me from the temptation of just “switching off” because of tiredness. Teach me to watch and pray.
Be Still/Silent In His Presence (for a few minutes)
Have a note book ready to record significant thoughts. Such thoughts may well be from the Lord. Prayer is two-way communication! So learn to build this routine of “silence” and “waiting on the Lord” into your prayer life. Our posture in the spiritual warfare is standing still (Eph 6:13).
The Kingdom, The Power And The Glory Are Yours (Thanksgiving)
Thank You for the many blessings in life which I so often take for granted---for the abundant provision of food and water, clothing and shelter, safety and security. So many lack these basic necessities. Even so, come Lord Jesus and establish Your Kingdom. Teach me to live simply, give generously, that others may simply live. Amen.
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A DAY OF HOPE
Preparation
Father, these next few moments are special. I want to be quiet in Your presence. You know me Lord; so often I’m hard of hearing, I find it difficult to hear Your “still small voice”. There are so many distractions. Yet I know that You are able to get through to me. You are able to transform me. Whatever it take Lord, teach me to pray.
Our Father In Heaven---You Are Holy (Praise)
Focus: The Lord Is With Us
Lord Jesus, thank You that You were willing to leave the glory of heaven an be born as a human being like us. You understand us. You know our weaknesses. You stand patiently alongside us; ready to help us out of our confusion into Your peace.
Your Kingdom Come! (Intercession)
Father, I want to pause for a few moments to pray for my friends. Thank You for their many acts of kindness and concern in the past. Thank You for their continuing support and encouragement. In today’s fast moving, individualistic society, good friendships are under attack. Forgive me for so often taking my friends for granted. Help me make the effort to keep building these friendships.
Many of my friends have not yet acknowledged You as Lord, please draw then to Yourself, show me how I can lead them to You.
Focus: (Church Leadership)
Thank You for raising up leaders in Your Church. You know the pressures they are under. Please build a united, prayerful leadership that is sensitive to the leading of Your Holy Spirit. Keep each one of them close to You especially when they get tired and discouraged. Guard their family life, lest in ministering to others their own families suffer. Grant them Your joy in their service, and may Your joy be their strength.
Give Us This Day---Our Daily Bread (Today)
“The Lord’s great love and compassion never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” — Lam 3:23
Thank You Father for renewing your love and commitment to us each new day. Help me to be like you. Today, in Your strength, I want to renew my first love for You; I want to “take up my cross daily” and follow You into today; I want to renew my love and commitment to my family and friends. Please don’t allow our love to grow stale. Grant us Your strength for this new day!
Forgive Us - As We Forgive (Confession)
I’m very sorry that so often my anger has caused me to say and do things that have been cutting and malicious. Help me to be angry yet not to sin. Help me by Your Word, to carefully discern the aspects of my anger that are right and the aspects which are wrong. So often my anger has made me terribly “self-righteous”. Help me “to speak the truth in love”---in a way that would help
Help mc not to “nurse my anger”---especially help me to deal with it is soon as possible. I’m sorry for the times that I’ve refused to deal with it and have just gone to sleep angry. You’ve been so gracious and patient with me---help me to be gracious and patient (and firm!) with those who anger me.
Also, please grant me the courage and humility to apologize for the wrong I said and did (even though parts of it were right).
Deliver Us From Temptation And The Evil One (Warfare)
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”--Ephesians 5:18-20
Father, help me to stand (not in my own strength but Yours) in the spiritual warfare. Fill me afresh today with Your Holy Spirit until I am overflowing with your love. I surrender every aspect of my life to You. Have Your own way Lord.
Be Still/Silent In His Presence (for a few minutes)
Be still before the Lord. Be silent in His Holy Presence. Go forth with the assurance that His Spirit will prepare the way for You. (Remember to record any significant thoughts which He may have put into your mind).
The Kingdom, The Power And The Glory Are Yours (Thanksgiving)
Thank You for being so willing to share Your Kingdom, Your Power and even Your Glory with us. It’s lovely when people genuinely express their appreciation for what little I, with Your help, manage to do for them. But the glory really belongs to You and I freely give it back to You. Amen.
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A DAY OF PEACE
Father, this time which I have specially reserved for You is really very important to me. It’s “training” time! I want You to know Lord, that I cannot live without Your gracious but firm hand upon my life. I often feel like an untrained puppy: frisky, full of energy, dashing about, so often in trouble. Father, train me, discipline me, hold me by the scruff of my neck and show me how to walk obediently in the way of righteousness.
Our Father In Heaven---You Are Holy (Praise)
Focus: The Lord Is My Peace
Thank You for sharing Your Peace with us. So often we have come to You with our hearts full of anxiety and fear. And then as we poured out our troubles before You---You filled us with Your peace. You did not remove all our problems hut You gave us Your peace in the midst of our difficulties--—a peace that enabled us to face our trials squarely and overcome them
Your Kingdom Come! (Prayer)
Father, thank You for the privilege of working. There are countless numbers of people all over the world who want to work but cannot find employment. Thank You that You understand the frustration, tensions and heartaches that I experience at work. You also know the times of joy and satisfaction. I want to dedicate my job to You. I am not just serving myself, my family, my boss, my company. I am serving You. You are Lord. I want to be a channel of Your love and peace to my colleagues at work. Help me be “the salt of the earth”, “the light of the world”, that others who see the way I speak and act, may give praise and glory to You.
I want to pray for governors, kings, prime ministers, politicians and all those in authority. I pray especially for the Government of . . . Your world is being torn apart by cruelty and injustice. Millions starve while others complain about insufficient luxury. In so many parts of Your world war and repression mercilessly destroy the lives of the innocent while others stand and watch. Please grant wisdom, humility and compassion to all those in authority that “we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (I Tim 2:2).
You alone are the King of kings and Lord of lords. You alone can establish true lasting peace and true justice in the world. Even so, come Lord Jesus! Come quickly!
Give Us This Day---Our Daily Bread (His Word)
Take a few moments to meditate on this important verse of scripture:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Phil 4:6, 7
Forgive Us---As We Forgive (Confession)
Father, I’m sorry that I often allow my heart to be filled with worry and anxiety. At such times, please remind me to channel that emotional energy into prayer and acts o kindness. As I commit each situation to You, help me to rest in Your Peace.
Deliver Us From Temptation And The Evil One (Warfare)
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” - (2 Cor 10:3-5)
Father, thank You for showing me So clearly that my mind is the battlefield! The evil one directs the main bulk of his attack on my mind. Help me therefore to guard my mind---to check my thoughts and feelings! In Your strength I want to hold on to what is good and reject what is wrong.
Be Still/Silent Before The Lord (for a few minutes)
Ask the Lord to censor and purify your thoughts and feelings.
The Kingdom, The Power And The Glory Are Yours (Thanksgiving)
Thank You for the many little things that others do for me. Please help me not to take people for granted. (Pause for a moment and think specifically of the people you come into contact everyday---Thank God for each one of them!)
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A DAY OF HOLINESS
Father, I’m a little afraid of Your Holy fire, I’m sorry for the many times I’ve backed away in fear---not wanting You to refine me. Today again, I want to draw near. I come ... not trusting in my own righteousness but in the righteousness of Your Son my Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Father In Heaven---You Are Holy (Praise)
Focus: The Lord Is My Righteousness
Holy! Holy! Holy! You are absolutely Holy! All around me (and even within me!) I see insincerity---people with mixed motives---people manipulating others---so much so that it becomes hard to really trust anyone---we are so unholy, so impure. I so glad that You are Holy---You are completely pure---completely trustworthy. You are altogether Righteous.
And what’s even more incredible is that You share Your holiness and righteousness with us! Instead of destroying us because of our impurity, Your amazing grace allows Your holiness to refine us. Hallelujah!
Your Kingdom Come! (Intercession)
Father ... when I look up above the high rise flats ... and take a little while to appreciate the beauty of the skies. . . their beautiful colours. . . especially in the early morning or late evening. . . I am reminded of the greatness of Your power. The skies arc so vast. . .so magnificent. . .they spread out as far as the eye can see. . . and even beyond ... how great and powerful You must be to have created the universe! When You look down on us. . . in comparison we must seem even smaller than ants! Yet the marvellous truth is this ... we are not insignificant. . . in fact ... we are precious to You ... You care for us. . .Hallelujah!! Thank You Father ... for being such a wonderfully loving God.
You know the problems I’m facing at the moment. Thank You for being with me. I know You will use these trials which are not too difficult for You---to he1p mould my character. I commit all my problems to You---teach mc Your way Lord.
Father, we pray for ourselves; for each individual person in our congregation. We ask that our whole lives may be an offering of worship, holy and pleasing to You. Help us in the secrecy of our hearts to experience a deep and meaningful relationship with You---an experience of Your Holiness---a relationship marked by our lives being slowly, but surely transformed to become like Yours.
As we gather Sunday by Sunday, we ask that our worship service may not be an empty ritual but rather a heart warming encounter with You---the Living Holy God. We commend to You especially those who are not able to worship regularly with us. May the joy of Your presence touch them wherever they are, at their point of need.
Give Us This Day - Our Daily Bread (His Word)<
Take a few moments to feed on this glorious portion of Scripture:
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lords glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” - 2 Corinthians 3:17, 18
Forgive Us - As We Forgive (Confession)
Father, forgive me for so often taking Your grace and patience for granted. Your grace was not meant to be an excuse for me to keep on sinning. Your grace and patience are meant to help me grow in holiness. Please don’t give up on me! Keep refining and transforming me! Make me like You in every way. Keep my life on the growing edge of Your holiness and grace.
Deliver Us From Temptation And The Evil One (Warfare)
Father, help us to stand honestly in Your holy presence. Deliver us from the blindness of hypocrisy (pretence) that displays a “form of godliness but denies its power” (2 Tim 3:5).
Be Still/Silent In His Presence (for a few minutes)
Perhaps, you may picture yourself clothed in the rags of sin and deceit---then behold the Lord of glory as He comes and clothes you with His garments of righteousness.
The Kingdom, The Power And The Glory Are Yours (Thanksgiving)
Father, You alone are worthy to receive the Kingdom, the Power (authority) and the Glory---for You alone are Holy. Many earthly kingdoms and powers claim glory for themselves. But their glory fades so quickly Only You---Your glory and honour and power last forever. Amen.
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A DAY OF VICTORY
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3: 5, 6)
Father thank You for the common sense You have given me. But Lord, I recognize that all my wisdom, all my common sense, is not enough. I need Your wisdom. And so today, in all my ways, in all that I have to do, I want to learn to trust You; to acknowledge You, to turn to You for help, to be sensitive to Your “still small voice”.
Our Father In Heaven - You Are Holy (Praise)
Thank You so much for sharing with us the power of the resurrection. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me (Gal 2 20)
Hallelujah Jesus Christ is alive! I am a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5 17)
Your Kingdom Come! (Intercession)
Thank You for making me the person I am. Thank You for the gifts; talents and abilities You have given me. Help me to recognize my gifts, develop my potential so that I may play my part in serving You effectively. May each person in Your church---like many different parts of one body---learn to work to in harmony.
Many of us often feel guilty when the word ‘evangelism’ is mentioned. We feel we should be more enthusiastic in sharing Your love and goodness with others. Father, You know we would like to, but we often feel weak and inadequate. Please free us from a false sense of guilt which tends to cripple us. Make us sensitive to the many small opportunities You give us every day of sharing Your love by a kind word or deed with those we meet. As Your Holy Spirit prompts us, please grant us courage to reach out to others with Your love.
Give Us This Day - Our Daily Bread (His Word)<
“And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.” - Rom 8:11
Forgive Us---As We Forgive (Confession)
Father, please forgive our lack of faith. You have granted us the victory in Christ---yet we so often accept defeat. You have given to Your church the authority to demonstrate Your power and authority through signs and wonders. Please restore Your healing gifts to Your church.
Deliver Us From Temptation And The Evil One (Warfare)
Father, we praise You for the victory that is in Christ. The decisive battle has already been won. You have conquered sin and death. You alone are our rightful king. The evil one has no stake in our lives. In Your Name we can resist him and live in Your holiness.
In particular we pray against our tendency to worship “money” and “status’. We so often envy others who have more. We fail to be content with the abundance of Your provision. We push ourselves harder in the pursuit of more money, more status. As a result we hardly have any time or energy to serve You. “What good is it, if you gain the world hut lose your soul?” (Matt 16:26). Lord please guard our hearts from the love of money.
The Kingdom, The Power And Tue Glory Are Yours (Thanksgiving)
Thank You for being our Healer, our Provider, our Saviour, our Deliverer---our Lord and Ring.
Amen.
A DAY OF MOURNING
Father, I don’t like to weep. . .but I know I must learn to. Because there are many things that fill Your heart with sorrow ... and I want to learn in some small way to share Your sadness. Holy Spirit ... stretch my heart ... teach me to pray.
Our Father In Heaven---You Are Holy (Praise)
Father, thank You for the cross---the humiliation, the agony, the pain, the death---which Your Son, my Lord Jesus Christ endured. It was horrible in the extreme, so terribly unfair. Lord Jesus---Your life was filled with only the purest goodness---You deserved only the Father’s richest blessing, yet you suffered the vilest curse.
Father, I can only bow in awe and wonder---my mind will never fully understand---by faith I see---somehow---incredibly---Your Sovereign Hand took this dastardly act of cruelty---this most evil act in history---and out of it---You brought forth the highest good---life and salvation for all mankind! Behold! the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world! Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
Your Kingdom Come’ (Prayer)
Father, I want to keep growing till the fullness of the character of Christ is evident in my life. You know how often I have failed in the past. Yet in Your graciousnes You still accept me. May the fruit of Your Holy Spirit---love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control---keep growing in my life.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
We share Your grief and anger over a world torn by sin. We shudder whenever we hear reports of terrible atrocities being committed. We weep when we see widespread human destruction due to natural disasters. We are appalled at how easily we slip back into our own indifference. Help us to live with pain. Don’t allow our hearts to become hard.
Come Lord Jesus and establish Your Kingdom of justice and peace throughout the world. Empower Your ambassadors, Your missionaries throughout the world. We thank You for each of Your servants who are faithfully serving You in the different situations that You have placed them. You know their struggles. . .You know their needs. According to Your love, please guard their hearts and minds from the ‘fiery darts’ of the evil one. May nothing, not even their ministry, distract them from You. Touch them afresh, today with Your steadfast love, which is new every day! Grant them Your wisdom and insight that their ministry may be effective. May their sacrificial service be a sweet offering of praise which brings You great delight.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.” - (Rorn 8:28)
Take a few moments to meditate on this incredible truth---God can bring good even out of evil!
Forgive Us---As We Forgive (Confession)
Father, forgive me for simply grumbling and complaining when things go wrong or when people treat me unfairly. Help me see that You can use these bad situations for Your good! Help me to look for the good in others, to appreciate their strengths and not just criticize their weaknesses.
Deliver Us From Temptation And The Evil One (Warfare)
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”(1 Peter 4 12,13)
Help me not to repay evil for evil. Teach me to respond and react in love even in the face of evil.
The Kingdom, The Power And The Glory Are Yours (Thanksgiving)
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)
Lord Jesus, thank You for bearing Your cross. Help me today to take up my cross and follow you.
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A DAY OF REST
Preparation
Father, I feel like I’m falling apart! It has happened before... and it’s happening again ... there are so many demands being made upon me ... I feel hassled . . .I’ve been running about from one thing to another ... I’m tired ... and I can’t seem to cope ... Yet I know that You are with me ... I know You long to help me ... but I haven’t given You the chance ... for these next few moments I want to rest in Your Peace and allow Your Holy Spirit to sort out the confusion of my life and establish Your order.
Our Father In Heaven - You Are Holy (Praise)
Most people reject me when I fail. The pain is almost unbearable. But I thank You so much for being my Refuge. Your arms are always outstretched ... ready to pick me up each time I fall. You embrace me with all my faults, failings and weaknesses. Your faithful and steadfast love surrounds me every moment of everyday. Hallelujah!
Your Kingdom Come! (Prayer)
Focus: My Friendship With God
Father, I ask that these special times that You have helped me set aside to be alone with You, may be times when Your Holy Spirit helps me know and understand You better. What a privilege it is to spend a few personal moments with the most loving, most intelligent Person in the entire universe. You are the fountain of all wisdom and truth. Please help me to live today in Your wisdom. In Your amazing graciousness You have taken the initiative in caching to me. I want to respond to Your love.
Jesus says, “Go in through the narrow gate, because the gate to hell is wide and the road that leads to it is easy, and there are many who travel it. But the gate to life is narrow and the way that leads to it is hard, and there are few people who find it.” (Matt 7:13, 14).
Thank You for Your Scriptures which teach us how to live. We admit that many things we read are hard to understand and even more difficult to apply. We dare not shy away from Your truth. Grant us the courage to grapple with Your truth---no matter how uncomfortable it may make us feel. Help us to persevere as we seek to experience the fullness of Your truth in our lives.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be satisfied.” (Matt 5:6).
Father, guard us from the indifference and complacency which can so easily step into our lives. Stir up within us the desire to understand and apply Your Words to our lives.
Thank You for the consistent effort being put in by our Sunday School Teachers. The workload, however, is often too heavy for them to bear. Thus, the turnover of teachers is quite high. Very few have been teaching for more than five years. Please help us reverse this trend. We pray for many more members who are parents themselves to come forward and serve as Sunday School Teachers to complement the present group of teachers.
Give Us This Day - Our Daily Bread (His Word)<
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1, 2)
Father, help me to live this day in the freedom of Your Spirit---not under a sense of condemnation or guilt---but with the firm conviction that You will lead me in paths of righteousness.
Forgive Us---As We Forgive (Confession)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - (Matt 11:28-30)
I’m sorry for overloading myself. I have been taking You for granted. My family is neglected. I feel so tired inside. This situation must not continue. Grant me Your wisdom to see clearly what Your priorities are for my life. And then grant me the courage and strength to make the necessary adjustments in my life that I may be able to fulfill them. I know You won’t overload me.
Deliver Us From Temptation And The Evil One (Warfare)
“Do not be afraid or discouraged ... for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2 Chronicles 20:15)
Help me to rest today in the security of Your love. I’m Your child. I’m Your responsibility. Only You can deliver me from my sin and establish me in Your righteousness. I praise You for working in me. I cast all my anxieties, frustrations, failings and weaknesses at Your feet. Help me not to fret---Help me to rest---knowing the battle is Yours Lord---please resume Your command over my whole life.
Be Still/Silent In His Presence (for a few minutes)
Allow any feelings of failure or guilt to surface---commit them specifically to Him.
The Kingdom, The Power And The Glory Are Yours (Thanksgiving)
Father thank You for breathing Your Holy Spirit into our lives. He brings to us the warmth of Your comfort and love. Your wisdom and counsel, Your power and strength. Hallelujah! Amen.