Worship and prayer

I’m still working on this web page – to include more prayers and quotes.  In the meantime, you might like to add your own prayers between the hymns.

Note: Dark clouds are gathering in our world right now. We need to worship God and pray for our world, our nation, our neighbourhoods and our families. 

Quote: “We have two great weapons in worship: the word of God and song. So let us give heed to the Word of God and let us sing with all our heart.” (John Piper)

* * * * *

Praise His Name (Psalm 148)

sung by Sovereign Grace Music

“Reaches of heaven, starry heightsLights of the evening dancing in silent skiesBrilliance of morning, breaking dayO let them praise Him, praise His name

Mightiest mountains, peaceful plainsSnowfall and fire, thundering ocean wavesKings and their kingdoms, age to ageO let them praise Him, praise His name . . .
Let all His wondrous works declare His praise”

Prayer: As dark clouds gather in our world right now, dear God – we want to turn our hearts and our minds to you. We want to keep our eyes fixed upon you. Whatever happens in our world, You are enthroned in majesty. All things are made by your decree. All creation sings your praises. And we want to respond to world events by praising and worshipping You – the unchanging Creator God, maker of heaven and earth. You alone are worthy of our praise and worship. Amen

* * * * *

Note: Worship declares God’s character, sovereignty and power – and reminds us just  Who it is that we’re praying to as world events unfold. 

Quote: “Let us plead the cause of our people, based on God’s holy character. Let us pray for the Church – the body of Christ, based on God’s everlasting faithfulness. Let our intercessions be rooted to trust in God, as our covenant-keeping, faithful God. Let us confess our sin and those of the church with penitential pleadings to the Father. And never let us forget.. “the effective, fervent prayer and intercession of the righteous man avails much“. James 5:16. (Elizabeth Haworth)

O Lord The Clouds Are Gathering (Psalm 93)

sung by Graham Kendrick

“O Lord, the clouds are gatheringThe fire of judgment burns . . .
Forgive us, LordRestore us, LordRevive your church again.”

Prayer: Lord, as we come to pray for our world, our nation and your people, we want to begin by acknowledging that the dark clouds that are gathering right now are the result of human folly and sin. Your laws of love have been neglected and rejected – resulting in hatred, conflict and broken lives. Forgive us Lord, restore us Lord, revive your church again.

* * * * *

Note:

Quote:

Can a nation be saved?

sung by Divine Hymns

“Let this nation be changed, 
Let this nation be saved.
Let this nation be turned back to you.
We’re on our knees,
We’re on our knees again.”

Prayer: Lord, this nation is no longer the Christian nation it once was. In your mercy over the centuries you have visited us with outpourings of reviving grace and power in answer to the prayers of your people. You alone can open hearts and minds to you. As dark clouds gather in our world let this nation be changed and turned back to you we pray. Amen

* * * * *

Note:

Quote:

How Long, O Lord, How Long (Psalm 13)

sung by Sovereign Grace Music

“Our foes and enemies rejoiceInjustice seems to reignLord, we are shaken and we are losing strengthHow long, O Lord, how long?
Till Your glory fills our eyesAnd our faith is turned to sightTill our thirsty souls are satisfiedHow long, O Lord, how long?”
.

Prayer: Lord, evil, greed and pride are fuelling conflict in our world, causing death, injury and famine to millions. How long must this continue? How much worse must it get before people recognise the perfection of your ways and turn their hearts to you. Turn fear to faith, we pray, and weakness to worship. Cause our restless hearts to find their rest in You. Amen

* * * * *

Note: When world events are troubling or our own circumstances difficult, it’s good to remind ourselves who God is – and to proclaim our trust in His sovereign power.

Quote:

The Lord Almighty Reigns (Psalm 93)

sung by Sovereign Grace Music

“He reigns when oceans roar, He reigns above the stormEnthroned on high, the Lord Almighty reignsHe reigns amidst the flood, He reigns with grace and loveEnthroned on high the Lord Almighty reigns.”

Prayer: Lord no matter what is happening in our world , you reign on high. No matter what may occur in the future You will not be moved!  Your plans and purposes can never be thwarted. May Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Work all things together, we pray, to bring about your eternal kingdom for your glory. Amen

* * * * *

Note:  As dark clouds threaten, we need rest for our souls right now. We need to know that God is in control. We need to know that He will triumph and that evil will be confounded. It’s not enough to know about God – we need to know God for ourselves. Nothing less will do.

Quote:

My Soul Will Wait (psalm 62)

sung by Shane & Shane

“You’re my stronghold and my shieldIn the midst of every threatThough the wicked never yieldThey will vanish like a breath
Yes, I know the outcome’s sureSatan’s evil plans will failIn Your power I’m secure”
.

Prayer: We pray for courage as we watch world events unfold. Still our anxious hearts and  calm our fear. Reveal Yourself more and more to us so that we may know and trust you implicitly, whatever may unfold.  Reassure us by your Spirit that, in your power, we’re secure in the midst of every threat. Strengthen us to stand firm in our faith and to wait patiently for You. Amen

* * * * *

Note: An intellectual knowledge of God may appear to be enough when times are good – but it’s not enough when dark clouds threaten. At such times we need a heart-knowledge of Him and His power to sustain us.

Quote:

He Will Keep You (Psalm 121)

sung by Sovereign Grace Music

“He will keep you from all evilsBehind you and beforeHe will sustain you, through this journeyFrom now and evermore”

Prayer: Lord, You have ordained our steps. You watch over us, protecting and sustaining us. Enable us to remember this at all times, to lift our eyes to You in the midst of every threat. Cause us to know that we are daily being upheld by You. Remind us constantly that you are the Sovereign of our days. Amen

* * * * *

Note:  We can sing the following songs  as prayers for God’s Kingdom – His true church, for our nation, for our world.

Quote:

Your Words Are Wonderful (Psalm 119)

sung by Sovereign Grace Music

“Where else can we go?You have the words of life
Give us ears to hear and eyes to seeHelp us in our doubt and unbelief
Come write Your holy truth upon our longing heartsAnd strengthen us to shine against the dark.Make Your glory known.”

Prayer: Lord, your Word is eternal and will remain forever – long after the events of this world are past and gone. Help us to keep that eternal perspective, whatever we may see and hear in our news. Your words are life-giving, revealing your nature and glory.  Open our eyes to see and know You more and more . Strengthen us with Scripture promises. Give us ears to hear them and a heart to trust in them when our courage would fail us. Amen

* * * * *

Note: We can pray for the whole church – for all God’s people. 

Quote:

Jesus With Your Church Abide

sung by Emu Music

“We praise You for Your mercy and graceYou go with us to the end of the ageWe hold on to Your unfailing love‘Til the fullness of Your kingdom comes.”

.
Prayer: Purify your church, Lord, cause your people to be delighted in you – passionate about your kingdom. Make your church a light amid the darkness of our world, even as our faith is tried. Empower your church to speak your truth and to seek the lost – to serve the poor and blind and to bind the broken-hearted. Amen 

* * * * *

Note:

Quote:

God Is Faithful (Psalm 114)

sung by Sovereign Grace Music

“We have known Your mercy and Your love as in the past
If days be few or many You will guide us to the last
You have said it, we believe it, every promise holding fast
For we know that You are good.”

Prayer: Lord, we pray these prayers for our world, our nation and for your church. Our prayers are confidently based on your holy character, your covenant-keeping nature, your everlasting faithfulness. What you have done for your people in the past you will do for your people today. Cause us to be acutely aware, every day, of your presence with us whatever else may be going on in our world and in our nation. Amen

* * * * *

Note:  We turn now to pray for our local area, our neighbours, our families and our friends. Spiritual, emotional and physical health problems abound. People desperately need the kind breakthrough that only prayer in the name of Jesus can bring. 

Quote: ‘I Speak Jesus’, is all about speaking the name of Jesus. We want to speak the powerful name of Jesus over darkness, over strongholds, over fear and anxiety, and over depression. We want to speak the name of Jesus declaring peace, declaring hope, declaring healing, and declaring freedom. (Integrity Music)

I speak Jesus

sung by Charity Gayle 

“Break ev’ry stronghold, shine through the shadows. Burn like a fire . . .
To ev’ry soul held captive by depression. I speak Jesus . . .
Jesus in the darkness over ev’ry enemy
Jesus for my fam’ly, I speak the holy Name of Jesus”

Prayer: Lord, we bring before you our familes, our friends, our neighbours and the people of our towns. We bless each one by speaking your name over them, praying that you will pour out your grace and power over every heart and every mind. Touch each life we pray, set them free from anything, physical, emotional or spiritual that blights their lives. Bring them into the fullness of the knowledge and love of You. May their hearts be restless till they find their rest in you. 

* * * * *

Note: It’s good to end our prayers with thanksgiving

Quote:

We Give Thanks (Psalm 23)

sung by Sovereign Grace Music

“We give thanks, O God, for Your steadfast loveWe give thanks, O God, for You are good . . .
Through every pain and trial, You provideLight in the dark of our distressLifting us from on high when we cryTurning our grief to gratefulnessLet the redeemed of God rise up and sing.”
.

Prayer: Lord,

* * * * *

Quote: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” (St. Augustine)