Prayer Ministry
The Ministry of Prayer
Praying for someone is one of the most powerful and caring things that one person can do for another. Why? Because when we pray we are using our free will to invite God into a situation.
God is always at work in the background but because our free will is such a key issue for him, he very rarely forces his way into things. Prayer is an invitation to God to come and work in a more direct way. That’s why when we pray things happen that otherwise would not happen.
You might be thinking ... I’m not very good at praying!
That’s perfectly normal – join the club!
If you’re normal you’ll find that some days are easier than others. On Monday it may be an absolute pleasure to be in the warm presence of Jesus who loves and delights in you. By Thursday you may feel that prayer is simply another drain on your energy and that you’d rather avoid God and do something less costly.
There are lots of reasons why we can feel disinclined to pray …
- Sometimes the opposition may be trying to prevent you from praying
- Sometimes we don’t want to pray because we are subconsciously hiding from God because we’re doing or have done something we know he doesn’t approve of
- But most normally we often feel disinclined to pray because we’re physically or emotionally tired
Our energy and our emotions fluctuate, but God still looks with joy and admiration when you make the effort – and on the grim days when you make the effort he knows it and you’ll probably find your prayers are much more powerful.
Sometimes it’s a struggle to pray
Getting to the point when you start praying and then concentrating whilst praying may sometimes be a battle. In those times put on the armour of God, be tough and persevere. If you lose concentration don’t let it worry you. It may actually be God prompting you to pray about whatever it is that’s come into your mind or it may be that you just have to accept that you have a short attention span. When you are tempted to give up remember that your fellow Christians are praying for you.
In the same way, on your good days return the favour and pray for those who are struggling with temptations and hurts.
“Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.” (Colossians 4:12)
What happens if God doesn’t answer my prayers?
Prayer is not a magic wand that gets us what we want. It’s not a question of finding the right words or generating enough persuasive power through our feelings. We can debate and even argue with God but we still have to accept that he sees things from a higher perspective than us. That sometimes means that the timing or the outcome he has in mind may be different from the one we would prefer.
But, because we can’t second-guess what the outcome will be, St. Paul tell us to carry on persevering and opening the door to God. Even though God might not do things the way we were hoping for he will always respond to our invitation and be at work.
“Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.” (Philippians 1:19)
Carrying people to God in prayer
Our prayers for other people will vary depending on their need. Sometimes our prayers are the natural outpouring of joy and love. For example, if we have family and friends it’s natural for us to express our love by asking God to bless and guide them.
At other times our prayers are an expression of our concern or anguish; perhaps someone we know is hurting and, knowing that we are helpless to change things. When that happens we do what the four men did with the paralysed man (Mk 2:3), we carry that person to Jesus in our prayers.
Prayer makes a difference – God always responds even if it isn’t in the way we expect, that why Paul exhorts us to …
Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:18)
By inviting God into a situation things happen that wouldn’t otherwise occur. So prayer is one of the most loving and powerful thing you can do for someone.
Prayerfulness is also about living it ...
Please try and live in a way that doesn’t spoil your friendship with Jesus, but don’t start worrying about our worthiness to approach God in prayer. If you slip, always remember that Jesus looks forward not backward. He has come to bring growth not guilt. So don’t be anxious. Rejoice in his patience and love and stand firm in your resolve to pray for others and then to carry them to God.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
Finally remember three things ...
- Firstly, God is looking forward to you talking to him
- Secondly, when you pray there is always another Christian brother or sister somewhere in the world praying at the same time
- Lastly, when you pray you are helping to keep the church spiritually healthy. Prayer is one of the key features of a healthy Christian and of a healthy church
Let your love of God express itself through prayer.
“They devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the Breaking of bread and to Prayer.” (Acts 2:42)
Some prayers to help you
Lord, thank you
for your presence in this place.
Thank you that as I reach out to you,
you are reaching out to me.
Hear me as I open my heart to you.
Be with me and all for whom I pray
though Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Lord, I’m sorry…
For the times I have been hasty
or unkind ( especially to….)
For the times I have been thoughtless
or acted selfishly,
For the times I have failed to forgive
or say sorry,
and for the times I have taken
your presence
and your love for granted.
Thank you for your promise
that you will always forgive
those who
turn back in penitence.
Forgive me, wash me clean
and help me to start again,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Lord, I do not presume
to tell you what to do or how
to do it.
I simply bring before you N who
is sick
and who needs your help.
Let us see your grace at work
Let the radiance of your face
banish darkness,
and the warmth of your love
give peace.
Grant us an awareness of your
presence
and uphold us with your
strength:
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Heavenly Father,
you have given us all the ministry
of prayer,
I bring before you the needs and
troubles of your earthly children,
the helplessness of the weak,
the sorrow of the bereaved,
the failing power if the aged,
the cries of the oppressed
and the toil of those who labour.
Accept my prayers
for those who cannot pray
for themselves
and for those who have no one
who loves them enough
to pray for them.
In your mercy let them know that
they are not forgotten.
Reach into their lives,
give them your grace
and make me willing to serve
those I meet this day,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Lord Jesus,
help me to walk with you
today.
Help me to follow where you
are leading
and not expect you to
follow me.
Be my teacher
and grant that I may sit
at your feet
and listen to your wisdom.
Guide me through this day.
Teach me to see things
through your eyes
so that I might understand
their true value.
But above all, teach me
your ways
and set my heart on fire
with love for you.
For you are the Lord I
long to serve
both now and for ever.
Amen.
Sundays
Father, renew this church.
Fill us with the joy of your Spirit,
Strengthen us through the sacraments,
And guide us as we try to live for you.
For we long to honour you
and bring you joy
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Mondays
Lord Jesus,
You are light, shine in our darkness
You are love, fill our emptiness
You are peace, calm our souls
and help us to know
that you are with us
both now and for ever. Amen.
Tuesdays
Father of all,
be with the lost and the lonely
be with the addicts, the alcoholics
and all who are being hurt by others.
Bring light to their darkness
and hope to their lives.
Sustain them with your love
and grant us all a new beginning,
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Wednesdays
God of compassion
Your son, Jesus, taught us
to love ourselves
and others with the same love,
Help us
to see other people through your eyes,
to love them with your love and
to understand the way they look at life.
Make us sensitive and kind
that we may be channels of your peace
and share your healing love
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Thursdays
We pray for the world
and all its people.
Give leaders the wisdom and the will
to share the world’s resources
and to work for justice and peace;
that all may live with dignity
and grow in stature and grace.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Fridays
Jesus, in your love for us
You died on the cross to save us
and set us free.
Help us to celebrate your love
and serve you with joy,
both now and for ever. Amen.
Saturdays
Father,
thank you for things that are beautiful,
for things that remind us of your
glory and your grace.
for the things that make us grow
and think.
Open our hearts to those mysteries
that our eyes cannot see;
that putting you first in our lives
we may live the way of heaven
and glimpse the glory that is to be,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
