Last night, our church had a special time of prayer and worship in conjunction with our January Prayer and Fasting Emphasis. It was a powerful time of worship, reflection, confession, and intercession. As is usual with these types of services, we tend to go off script from time to time, so we use these outlines as a guide and ask the Lord to guide us and lead us accordingly.
I hope this outline blesses you and your churches. If you have similar (or different) outlines, please share them with me so our church can benefit from your experience.
Prayer Service Outline
Opening
- 2-3 Song Worship Set
- Welcome and Offering Prayer
- Offering as service continues
AFFIRMING GOD’S GREATNESS Section
- Read Matthew 6:9 – “Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Your name.”
- Comment personally upon the scripture.
- Direct the people to spend a moment in personal prayer, instructing them to acknowledge the Greatness of the Lord.
- Pray for the people before the worship music continues.
Song about the Holiness/Greatness of God
- Suggested song: Glorious by Bryan and Katie Torwalt
SUBMITTING TO GOD’S WILL Section
- Read Matthew 6:10 – “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
- Comment upon the scripture as you feel led.
- Ask the people to pray for God’s will to be done. Ask them to think about how often they really pray for God’s will to be done.
- Direct the people to get into small groups where they pray for God’s will to be done in the lives of others in the group.
- Pray for God’s will to be done in our church, in your campus, and in the lives of those present.
Song About God’s Will or His Wisdom
- Suggested song: God I Look to You – Bethel Music
REQUESTING GOD’S PROVISION Section
- Read Matthew 6:11 – “Give us this day our daily bread…”
- Comment upon the scripture as you feel led.
- Instruct the people to think of one area of their lives where they need God’s provision. Direct them to pray and ask God for His provision in this area.
- Ask another pastor, elder, deacon, or life group leader to pray for the needs of the people.
Song About God’s Provision, Blessings, or Care
- Suggested song: Good Good Father – Housefires
ASKING FOR GOD’S FORGIVENESS Section
- Read Matthew 6:12 – “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
- Comment upon the scripture as you feel led.
- Direct the people to pull out a blank sheet of paper (which we’ll need to provide). Have them draw a line down the middle of the paper creating two sections. At the top of the first section, have them write “My Sins.” At the top of the second section, have them write “Sins against me.” Give them 60-90 seconds to create a short list of their own sins in the first section. Then, give them 60 – 90 seconds to create a list of those who have sinned against them.
- Lead Then, lead the people in a prayer where they ask forgiveness for their own sins and grant forgiveness to those who have sinned against them.
Song About the Forgiveness of God
- Suggested song: How Can It Be- Lauren Daigle
PRAISING GOD FOR HIS GUIDANCE Section
- Read Matthew 6:13 – “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.”
- Comment upon the scripture as you feel led.
- Recite the model prayer with your people and comment on what it means.
- Upbeat Closing Prayer by Campus Pastor praising God for who He is, all He has done, and all He will do.
- Upbeat Closing Praise Suggested Song –
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