Prayer Warrior

WEEKLY PRAYER GUIDE

April 12, 2021

Learning to love God and our neighbor is the essence of true faith, but it is also one of the greatest challenges. Jesus clearly taught the importance of combing the two for an authentic and wholesome faith walk in the world. This week, let us meditate on the meaning of this teaching for our own growth in love and service.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:43-45

Let us practice “divine reading,” lectio divina, as we pray for others and ourselves.

MONDAY

1 John 1:1-4

TUESDAY

1 John 1:5-7

WEDNESDAY

1 John 1:2 – 2:2

THURSDAY

1 John 2:3-6

FRIDAY

1 John 2:7-11

SATURDAY

1 John 2:12-17

SUNDAY

1 John 3:11-24

“Reflective reading of the Bible to lead us into prayer has been a practice in the church from the earliest centuries. It can take many forms, from singing the Psalms as community, to reciting the Lord’s Prayer, to a systematic reading of each section of a book with pauses for reflection and prayer. This last method is often called lectio divina, from the Latin for “divine reading.” Spiritual writers describe it in a variety of ways, but all agree that it has a definite pattern to it. That pattern is described here briefly as four steps:

1. A slow and thoughtful reading of a passage from the Bible.

2. A time of reflection and thinking about the meaning of that text to me as a reader.

3. A period of prayer to God to bring its message or wisdom to fruit in myself.

4. A decision on what I should do in my own life as a result – that is, an action plan or decision to change or improve.”

(Lawrence Boadt, CSP)

This week each day use the following portions of scripture to practice, lectio divina:

MONDAY

Psalm 1

TUESDAY

Psalm 27

WEDNESDAY

Isaiah 6

THURSDAY

Jeremiah 29

FRIDAY

Matthew 5

SATURDAY

Colossians 3

SUNDAY

Hebrews 11

GUIDING PRAYER

This week we are encouraged to follow the lead of this prayer with the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ in our minds. Take time to meditate on the prayer and write your own prayers for the week. The Bible verses are included to give you inspiration.

“God, whose gracious love for us embraced that long and lonely journey to the cross, gather us close to you in these days when again we make that journey in meditation and recollection.

Help us to contemplate again the way taken by our Savior: the false charges against him, the fear and flight of the disciples, the kiss of betrayal, the crown of thorns, the purple robe – and in such contemplation give us courage to face those times in our own lives when he received the same at our hands. Yet help us also remember that you have gone before us, so we look to you for compassion and forgiveness, knowing you are able to save.

When we are weak, make us strong; when hurt and resentful, make us forgiving; when defeated and discouraged, make us hopeful. Keep us from asking for mercy without giving it ourselves, from praying for your kingdom but never working for it.

In this week, deepen our faith by your matchless grace. Deepen the measure of our gratitude and Christian obedience. Move us, who have so much, to share with others who have so little. Uphold us when we summon our courage to speak out for the alien and stranger within our gates and for those long denied dignity and freedom.

Guard and guide us through these days of meditation and remembrance. Guard and guide us through all our days until we come at last to that day when all our days and journeys will be gathered into your eternity, and we shall be with you forever. Glory be to you, O God. Amen.”

(The Worship Sourcebook)

Scriptures for Meditation and Prayer:

Lamentations 3:1-9. 19-33

Zechariah 12:10-13:9

Matthew 26:47-27:66

Luke 22:39-23:56

John 3:13-21

John 10:14-18

John 18-19

The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are at the center of the New Testament gospel message, and Good Friday and Easter are two of the most important celebrations. A season of preparation and repentance during which we anticipate these significant days is critical to spiritual readiness as we remember the sacrifice and passion of Christ. In our prayers this week we continue to look up as we seek a closer walk with God.

MONDAY

Pray for a spirit of worship in your own life and household.

Read and meditate on Romans 6:1-14; 8:12-17.

TUESDAY

Pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit upon your personal testimony and your witness for Christ.

Read and meditate on II Corinthians 1:21-22; 4:1-16;5:20-6:2.

WEDNESDAY

Pray for a deeper understanding of the grace of God in your walk of faith.

Read and meditate on Galatians 2:19-21; 3:27-29.

THURSDAY

Pray for a renewed sense of humility in your life and attitude.

Read and meditate on Ephesians 2:4-20; 4:1-6.

FRIDAY

Pray for the spiritual fullness of Christ in your life.

Read and meditate on Colossians 2:9 – 3:7.

SATURDAY

Pray for a greater determination to do good in the world for the Lord.

Read and meditate on Titus 3:4-8.

SUNDAY

Pray for the Lord to do a new thing in your heart and in your life.

Read and meditate on Isaiah 43:19-21.

We continue praying in the atmosphere of Lent and in preparation of celebrating Easter. The focus this week is upon meditation on the gospel message, renewal of the spiritual disciplines of prayer, confession and repentance, and gratitude for God’s grace and love.

MONDAY

Pray for those who have never known the love of God through Jesus Christ and yet carry the burdens of life. Pray that they respond the universal invitation of the Lord.

Read and meditate on Matthew 11:28-30.

TUESDAY

Pray for lost souls in your network: family, neighborhood, city, nation and the world.

Read and meditate on II Corinthians 5:20 – 6:2.

WEDNESDAY

Pray in gratitude for the salvation you enjoy through Jesus Christ. Pray for a closer walk with the Lord.

Read and meditate on 1 Peter 1 – 2:3.

THURSDAY

Pray for the spirit of forgiveness for those who have hurt you or wronged you. Ask God to lift the burden of unforgiveness off your shoulders.

Read and meditate on Psalm 6.

FRIDAY

Pray for the strength to look at your own heart as you speak to the Lord about your spiritual condition.

Read and meditate on Psalm 32.

SATURDAY

Pray for God’s forgiveness for your sins.

Read and meditate on Psalm 130.

SUNDAY

Pray for spiritual deliverance and restoration.

Read and meditate on Psalm 143.

The Lenten period is a time of fasting, renewal and repentance. This week is a great time to meditate on our mortality, sinfulness and need for a Savior, to renew our commitment to daily devotion and to remember the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf.

MONDAY

Pray for God’s mercy on your life and God’s mercy for the human family considering our brokenness and need for forgiveness.

Read and meditate on Psalm 51.

TUESDAY

Pray for cleansing in your life and a new awareness of your spiritual needs.

Read and meditate on Psalm 90.

WEDNESDAY

Pray for a clean heart and honest intentions in your life and your work in the world.

Read and meditate on Psalm 103.

THURSDAY

Pray for restoration of your best self and an over whelming joy for the good things in your life.

Read and meditate on Psalm 139:23-24.

FRIDAY

Pray for a deep desire to share with someone your personal testimony of God’s grace and power in your life.

Read and meditate on Joel 2:12-17.

SATURDAY

Pray for complete deliverance from any and every bondage in your life.

Read and meditate on Matthew 5:6.

SUNDAY

Pray for a spirit of praise and rejoicing as you worship the Lord in your private times of prayer and reflection.

Read and meditate on Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

As we approach the celebration of Easter, this week we begin laying the foundation of the passion of Jesus Christ. In the book of Isaiah, we find the prophesy of the suffering servant and the glory of the servant who is the Messiah and Savior. As we pray with the message of the incarnation in mind, we pray for a deeper understanding of little and big sacrifices.

MONDAY

Pray with gratitude and thanksgiving for those who sacrificed for you when you were a child.

Read and meditate on Isaiah 53:1-3.

TUESDAY

Pray for those who carry many burdens as they make sacrifices for others.

Read and meditate on Isaiah 53:4-5.

WEDNESDAY

Pray for those who carry the load of guilt and need the reassurance of forgiveness.

Read and meditate on Isaiah 53:6-7.

THURSDAY

Pray for the oppressed in the world and the burdens of life they bear daily.

Read and meditate on Isaiah 53:8-9.

FRIDAY

Pray for those who have been crushed by life in one form or another, those who have been abused, humiliated or scarred.

Read and meditate on Isaiah 53:10-11.

SATURDAY

Pray for those who suffer physically, mentally and emotionally.

Read and meditate on Isaiah 53:11.

SUNDAY

Pray for those who those who risk their own lives daily to save the lives of others.

Read and meditate on Isaiah 53:12.

Monday

Pray for …

Praying for safety, families experiencing loss of loved ones, property loss and feelings of fear and despair.

Read and meditate on Proverbs 3:5-6

++++
Tuesday

Pray for …

The young people in juvenile hall and detention facilities, their counselors and other staff persons. Pray for their mental and spiritual health and their parents, guardians and loved ones.

Read and meditate on Matthew 25:31-46

++++
Wednesday

Pray for …

The women in prison facilities who are daughters, sisters, spouses, and mothers. Pray for their spiritual enlightenment, their support systems and the chaplains.

Read and meditate on Matthew 25:31-46

++++
Thursday

Pray for …

The men in prison facilities who are sons, brothers, spouses, and fathers. Pray for their spiritual enlightenment, their support systems and the chaplains.

Read and meditate on Matthew 25:31-46

++++
Friday

Pray for …

The judicial system including judges, lawyers, magistrates, bail bondsmen and juries.

Read and meditate on Psalm 1

++++
Saturday

Pray for …

The unemployed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Pray for those who are now forced to live with relatives, seek outside resources for help and depend on others for their needs. Pray for their spirits, confidence, financials obligations and the loved ones who are helping them.

Read and meditate on Philippians 4:19

++++
Sunday

Pray for …

The growing homeless population in the country and the challenges and dangers they face with their families.

Read and meditate on Luke 2:1-14

This week we will pray from the inspiration of The Beatitudes recorded in Matthew’s gospel chapter 5:1-12. Each day in your devotional and prayer time read over this portion of scripture.

Monday

Pray for poverty of spirit in you and the church.

Tuesday

Pray for those who are mourning in our world and pray about your personal mourning.

Wednesday

Pray for the meek, the humble, the “least of these.”

Thursday

Pray for a deep hunger for righteousness in your life and pray for those who seek the same.

Friday

Pray for and thank God for the merciful who show mercy to others.

Saturday

Pray for the pure in heart and the peacemakers, that they would increase in the world and the church.

Sunday

Pray for those who are faithful and suffer for it and pray for the oppressors of human beings, that they be halted, and justice prevail.