In this guide, we provide you with 10 compelling prayers for church services that you can use at any time.
Stephen Altrogge lives in Tallahassee, Florida. He is a dad to three wonderful girls and has written for publications like The Gospel Coalition, Church Leaders, Crosswalk, and many more. When he’s not writing, you’ll find him reading or watching The Lord Of the Rings for the 10th time.
Prayer is at the heart of what the church does. It is how we connect with God and lay all our burdens down. It is through prayer that we receive divine strength to overcome our sins and live holy lives.
However, crafting prayers for church services can be challenging. It can be difficult to know what to say and how to say it. Choosing a topic for church prayers can also be challenging.
In this guide, we provide you with 10 compelling prayers for church services that you can use at any time.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come to you today asking to meet with you. We know that you are here because you are always with us. Nevertheless, we ask that you show your presence to each person here in a unique, personal, heart-stirring way.
In Psalm 42:2, the psalmist says, "My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?" Lord, we too have a thirst for you and desire to meet with you in this time of worship. We pray that your Holy Spirit will move among us as we gather together in your name.
Open our hearts and minds to receive your word, to hear your voice, and to experience your presence. Fill us with joy as we meet with you. Show us your glory and splendor. Open the eyes of our hearts to know you more and delight in you. May this time of worship be a time of encounter with you, our living God.
In Jesus' name we pray,
Amen.
Our Father,
We want to have hearts full of gratitude. Thank you for giving yourself to us in Christ. You are the greatest gift and we could be content for eternity with nothing but you.
And yet you pour blessing after blessing upon us.
We thank you for your faithfulness, goodness, and grace. Thank you for your provision, protection, and presence in our lives.
Colossians 3:17 says, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." So we come to you today, giving thanks for all that you have done and continue to do in our lives.
We are grateful for this opportunity to gather together as your children and lift up our praises and prayers to you. We thank you for the freedom to worship you without fear or hindrance. Thank you for your love that never fails and your mercy that is new every morning.
Most of all, we thank you for your sacrifice on the cross, which has given us access to your holy presence. Thank you for making a way for us to come and meet with you.
In Jesus name,
Amen
Dear Lord,
As we come before you, we humble ourselves in your presence. Your word tells us in James 4:10 "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."
We acknowledge that without you, we can do nothing. You are the vine and we are the branches. We need you to fill us with the spiritual life that can only come from you. Help us to always remember our complete dependence on you.
Forgive us for the times we have tried to do things in our own strength and wisdom, without seeking your guidance. We confess that pride has often taken root in our hearts, causing us to forget that everything we have comes from you.
We ask for your help in humbling ourselves before one another as well. Help us to put aside any personal agendas or egos, and to work together in unity for the greater purpose of your kingdom.
In Jesus' name we pray,
Amen.
Father,
We approach you with hearts full of worship and praise. You alone are God and worthy of our praise. We honor you and glorify you for who you are.
You are our Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer. We praise you that you created all things. We owe our existence to you and honor you as Creator. We give you glory for sustaining all things, including us. We rely on your provision and protection every day.
But most of all, we thank you for your sacrifice on the cross, which has given us access to your holy presence. Thank you for making a way for us to come and meet with you.
We lift up our voices and hearts in praise to you now, declaring that "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." (Revelation 4:11)
As we meet together, please fill our hearts with even more praise and worship. Were we to sing for 10,000 years, it would not be enough to express our gratitude and love for you. So we ask that your Holy Spirit would help us to worship you in spirit and truth, with all of our hearts, minds, and strength.
May this time of praise bring you joy and glory. We love you, Lord.
In Jesus' name we pray,
Amen.
Heavenly Father,
We have heavy hearts and weary bodies. We recognize that we are not immune to sickness and disease in this fallen world. But we also know that you are the one who heals all our diseases.
We lift up those among us who are suffering from physical ailments. Whether it be a common cold or a chronic illness, we pray for your healing touch upon their bodies. We ask that you would bring comfort and strength to those who are battling sickness, and give them the faith to believe in your power to heal.
In Matthew 8:16-17, it says that Jesus healed all who were sick and fulfilled the words spoken by the prophet Isaiah, "He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases." We ask today that you would give us relief from our infirmities.
We also pray for those who are struggling with mental and emotional health. Lord, you know our minds better than we do ourselves. You see the inner turmoil and struggles that we face. We ask for your peace to calm our anxieties, your light to shine in our darkness, and your love to fill us with hope.
We trust in your promise in Psalm 147:3, that you "heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds." So we lay our burdens before you, knowing that you are the ultimate healer.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
Dear Lord,
We come before you as a community united in your name. You have called us to be one body, with Christ as our head. Help us to live out this unity in our relationships with one another. Forgive us for the times when we let division and discord creep into our midst. Give us hearts that are quick to forgive and eager to reconcile.
In John 17:20, Jesus said, "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us." We pray for this same unity among us today.
Help us to remember that our differences are what make us unique and beautiful, and to embrace them with love and understanding. Give us the wisdom to know how to communicate effectively, especially when we disagree.
Teach us to love one another just as you have loved us. May our unity bring glory to your name and be a testimony of your love to the world.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
Our Father,
We need you to pour out your Spirit upon us and bring a revival in our hearts. We don't want to become complacent and numb to the things of God. Renew our passion for you, Lord.
In Joel 2:28-29, you promise that "I will pour out my Spirit on all people...and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." We call on your name and ask for your Spirit to move in our lives and in our church.
We pray for a revival that will spread throughout our community and beyond. A revival that will bring healing, restoration, and salvation to those who are lost. Help us to be bold witnesses of your love and grace, sharing the Good News with those around us.
Renew our minds and transform us to be more like your Son, Jesus Christ. May we live out our faith in action and show the world what it truly means to follow you.
In your mighty name,
Amen.
Heavenly Father,
We come to you in a spirit of repentance. We ask your forgiveness both for sins of commission and sins of omission. We have fallen short of your glory and we are in need of your mercy and grace.
In Psalm 51:10, David writes "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." We echo this prayer and ask for you to purify our hearts and minds. Help us to see ourselves as you see us and to turn away from any sinful thoughts or actions.
Forgive us for the times when we have not loved you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Forgive us for the times when we have failed to love our neighbors as ourselves.
We also ask for forgiveness for the times when we have turned a blind eye to injustice and oppression. Help us to see the world through your eyes and have a heart that breaks for what breaks yours.
We repent of our pride, selfishness, and lack of faith. We ask for a new heart that is centered on you and a renewed spirit that is guided by your Holy Spirit.
In Jesus name,
Amen
Father in heaven,
We thank you for calling us to be your disciples and ambassadors of your kingdom. We pray that you give us the boldness and courage to share the Gospel with those around us.
In Acts 4:29, the early church prayed "And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness." We ask for this same boldness in our own lives. Help us to overcome any fears or doubts and boldly proclaim the good news of your love and salvation.
We also pray for open hearts and minds of those we share with, that they may receive your truth and be transformed by it. Give us the words to speak and the wisdom to know how to reach each person uniquely.
May your Holy Spirit guide and empower us to be effective witnesses for you, shining your light in a dark world. Give us opportunities to share and the courage to step out in faith.
In Jesus name,
Amen
Our Father in Heaven,
You are the vine and we are the branches. In you is found all spiritual life and growth. We pray that you would prune and cultivate us, so that we may bear much fruit for your kingdom.
Teach us to abide in you, to remain connected to you through prayer, worship, and studying your Word. Help us to surrender our wills and desires to yours, seeking your guidance and direction in all things.
In John 15:5, Jesus says, "Apart from me you can do nothing." We acknowledge our need for you and ask that you would fill us with your Holy Spirit, empowering us to live out our faith daily.
We also pray for a hunger and thirst for righteousness, a desire to know you more deeply, and to grow in our relationship with you. May we never become complacent or stagnant in our faith, but always seek to grow and mature.
We thank you that you will continue to work in us until the day you return. We trust in your promise that, "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)
In Jesus name,
Amen
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