PRAYER TO BE PEOPLE OF PRAYER Luke 3:21 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. Mark 1:35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. Luke 5:16 So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. Luke 6:12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. Luke 9:28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. Luke 9:29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Acts 6:5-7 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. Matthew 6:6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Luke 10:2 Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Luke 6:28 Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. Luke 11:1 Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." Luke 18:1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart. Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer... Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints . . . Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Colossians 4:2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving. James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing. PRAYER: Our Father in Heaven, Our hearts are burdened with concerns For ourselves, our families, our Church, our nation: Our hearts are laden with these weights. Make us people of prayer. We confess that all too often We have not come to You with our distresses. At times we have not come to You first. At times we have not come to You solely. At times we have not come to You continuously. At times we have not come to You at all. We have consulted our own mind and feelings. We have sought wisdom from men. We have plotted our own course. And we have not found peace. Make us people of prayer. You are the giver of every good and perfect gift. You have given God the Son To die for our sins to give us forgiveness, And rise from the dead to give us eternal life. You have promised to give us all things with Him. You have exalted Him To Your right hand, To intercede for us as our Great High Priest, So we may come boldly to Your throne of grace To find grace to help in time of need. You and Your Son have given us God the Holy Spirit, To assure us of Your paternal love, And to intercede for us You have made sure that we have free access O Father, why do we ever resist coming to You? Make us people of prayer. This morning, we come to You by Your Son and Your Spirit. By listening to Your Word, the Bible, And our Pastor’s teaching from it. We come to thank You: For creating us and the world; For revealing Yourself in the words of the Bible; For salvation by the death and resurrection of our Lord; For the Church, the Body of Christ, And our own local Trinity Community Church, As Your major means of glorifying Yourself For sovereignly forming and preserving As a nation founded on spiritual freedom in Christ, And as a nation constitutionally committed And personal opportunity for earthly well-being. We come especially to You this morning And seek Your grace in our need. In bodily pain, grant us healing grace. In relational pain, grant us reconciling grace. And renewed resolve to serve You. Make us people of prayer. O Father, As Trinity Community Church and as individual believers, Make us as committed to prayer as our Savior was. Teach us to come apart to You at Your throne. Teach us that if we do not do so, Whatever ministry You have You will not bless us in our ministry; We will not be successful before You; And we will lose our love for serving You. O Father, For the glory of our Triune God, For the spiritual success of Your Church, For the good of our families, our community, Through Your Son, our Lord Jesus, And by the power of Your Spirit, Make us people of prayer. In the name of our Lord Jesus we pray, Amen.
Broken health,
Broken friendships,
Decisions to make that will affect others for years,
Financial pressures,
Need for employment,
Threats from enemies.
As citizens of heaven
And citizens of this country formed by You,
When we do not know what to pray.
To and through the Triune God.
We come to worship You,
By singing to You and
In the world and in our community.
The United States of America
To political freedom,
To open our hearts to You
In national pain, grant us repentance, humility,
Given us in this Church:
Pastor, Elder, Deacon, Missionary,
Sunday School Teacher,
Youth Leader, musician,
Choir member, technology helper,
Community Group Leader, GO Team member;
Prison Ministry helper, Awana leader,
Nursing Home Ministry helper, witness for Christ,
Our nation, and our world,
Dr. James R. Mook