Sample prayers church

A Sample Prayer for Personal Character

Abba Father, thank you for bringing me into your family. May I never disappoint you in the way I treat others. May they see in me the qualities of character that can only be attributed to your presence in my life. To you be the glory and the honor, forever and ever, through Jesus my Lord. Amen. ~Phil  Ware

How to Walk under the direction of the Holy Spirit

A Sample Prayer of Personal Renewal

(When you are unsure of where you will spend eternity)

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving me of my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be. Amen

Graduation Prayer

Father,
I have knowledge, so will You show me now,

How to use it wisely and find a way somehow

To make the world I live in a little better place,

And make life with its problems a little bit easier to face.
Grant me faith and courage and put purpose in my days,

And show me how to serve Thee in effective ways.
So my education, my knowledge and my skill

May find their true fulfillment as I learn to do Thy will.
And may I ever be aware in everything I do,

That knowledge comes from learning, and wisdom comes from You.
Amen.

Prayer of Commitment to Marriage

Heavenly Father, thank you that you love each of us and want us to experience wholeness and hope in our lives. You see when we fail to live according to your ideals and instead find ourselves in a broken relationship. Help us to be willing to accept our own responsibility in this and be willing to ask for forgiveness and to extend forgiveness. May we never retaliate when we feel wronged, but help us to make choices that would show that we have made a commitment of love which we will keep. May we never take this commitment lightly but choose to work at our marriage. May we also realize that sometimes renewal of relationships takes time. May each of us determine to demonstrate patience, kindness and love in how we interact with each other. We ask this in the name of our loving Lord. Amen.
– Anne Nickel

A Morning Prayer

“Dear Lord, I give you my hands to do Your work; I give You my feet to go Your way; I give You my eyes to see as You see; I give You my tongue to speak Your words; I give You my mind that You may think in me; I give You my spirit that You may pray in me. Above all, I give You my heart that You may love in me – love the Father and love all humankind. I give You my whole self, Lord, that You may grow in me, so that it is You who lives, works and prays in me. Amen.”

A Daily Prayer

ALL THROUGH THIS DAY

All through this day, O Lord, by the power of Thy quickening Spirit, let me touch the lives of others for good, whether through the word I speak, the prayer I speak, or the life I live.  Amen

– written by Mary Sumner, founder of the Mothers’ Union in 1876

Benediction Prayer

Therefore, may the blessing of the LORD be upon you, and may you know the joy of putting his name upon others.  For indeed, blessed are those who walk in the light of God’s face.
   ~Jill Carattini

A Prayer – When You are Fearful

Father God, I am feeling fearful today. Life seems to be uncertain and out of control. I recall that the Bible tells me ?Perfect love casts out fear?. You alone are Perfect Love, so would you please cast out the fear I feel and replace it with confidence in your sufficiency.

Psalm 121 tells me that you never slumber or sleep, so I will trust you to take care of me – moment by moment, day by day. In Jesus name. Amen

A Prayer about Commitment

Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. For it is your business, not mine. You will know every shade of my suffering; You will care for me with your perfect fatherhood.

-George Mac Donald

How to commit your spirit to God

Please Make Me New!

Heavenly Father,
Thou hast made me, be pleased to new-make me.
I am thy work, complete me;
I am thy harp, tune me;
I am thy child, teach me.

-Charles  Spurgeon

Article on How to Become a New Person

In God’s Will

Lord Jesus, keep me in Your will. Don’t let me go mad by poking about outside it.

-Corrie Ten Boom

Knowing God’s will for your Life

A Prayer of Confession

Forgive us, Lord . . . for the things we have done that make us feel uncomfortable in Your presence. All the front that we polish so carefully for men to see does not deceive You. For you know every thought that has left its shadow on our memory. You have marked every motive that curdled something sweet within us.

We acknowledge–with bitterness and true repentance–that cross and selfish thoughts have entered our minds; we acknowledge that we have permitted our minds to wander through unclean and forbidden ways; we have toyed with that which we knew was not for us; we have desired that which we should not have.

We acknowledge that often we have deceived ourselves where our plain duty lay.

We confess before You that our ears are often deaf to the whisper of Thy call, our eyes often blind to the signs of your guidance,

Make us willing to be changed, even though it requires surgery of the soul and the therapy of discipline.

Make our hearts warm and soft, that we may receive now the blessing of Your forgiveness, the benediction of Your “Depart in peace . . and sin no more.” Amen

-Peter Marshall

How to remain guilt free

A Prayer for When You Need Wisdom and Direction

Father God, there are so many decisions to make and I don?t seem to know what is the best for now or for the future. You said if we lack wisdom, all we need to do is ask you. I really need you to pour wisdominto my mind today. Thank you!

A Prayer for Success

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.” So God granted him what he requested. I Chronicles 4:10 NKJV  

A Prayer for When You are Weak or Ill

Father, I am feeling lousy today. I ache all over and feel very weak. You said that your grace was sufficient for me. Please strengthen me. Give me joy in spite of how I feel physically. Amen

A Prayer for the Young Women of the World

Father God, thank you for all the young women in the world. Give them dreams that are bigger than themselves–so they will have to trust you to make their dream come true. Give them a will and heart to be all you created them to be. Help them to work hard and be successful.

Enable them to be generous to those who are less fortunate. Give them hearts full of love and compassion.

Give them the strength to say “no” to activities that they would later be remorseful about–that they would do what is right for them and for the world around them. Help them to be kind to others.

Protect them from people who would harm them physically, emotionally and mentally.

Let them know that allowing You to direct their way is the smartest thing they can do. In Jesus wonderful and powerful name. Amen

Getting the Power to Live

A Prayer for Others

Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give Your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend Your sick ones, O Lord Christ. Rest Your weary ones. Bless Your dying ones. Soothe Your suffering ones. Pity Your afflicted ones. Shield Your joyous ones. And all for Your love’s sake. Amen

– Augustine of Hippo

A Prayer for Prodigals

Prayer FROM ISAIAH 33

(Taken from Living in His Presence by Sylvia Gunter)

Isaiah 33:

33:2:  Oh Lord, be gracious to us who stand and pray for these wayward ones _____________.  We have long waited for You to intervene.  Be our strength every morning and our salvation in this distress.  Keep us steadfast in intercession with clean hands and a pure heart.

33:5:  Lord, be exalted, for You are the King.  Fill the home of Your covenant families with Your righteousness.

33:6:  Be the sure foundation for our times and provide us a rich store of salvation, wisdom and knowledge.  Let us know the fear of the Lord, which is the key to Your treasury of good gifts and answered prayer.

33:10:  Arise, Lord, stand up and show Your power to all these children of Yours.

33:13:  Stop the wayward ones whose hardened hearts are running away from You.  Make them hear what You have done for them.  We stand in prayer and acknowledge that Your power alone can release these loved ones from their captivities.

33:15:  O consuming Fire, cause _________ to walk righteously and speak what is right, to reject dishonesty, to stay away from wickedness and to reject the conspiracies of destruction and death through the bondage’s and addictions in their lives.

33:17:  Let ________’s eyes see their King, bow their knees and acknowledge that You reign in the universe and have rightful claim on their lives as their Lord.

33:19:  This is spiritual warfare, and the evil one has fiercely and violently contested for ________’s life.  The battle is the Lord’s, and Jesus is the Victor, so their parents and family stand in Your authority to receive Your promises of victory.  Let _______ not be consumed with arrogance, self-centeredness and rebellion any longer.  Free them from the oppression of everything that is foreign to Your purposes for their life.

33:20:  You have the power to make _______’s life an offering of service and worship before You.  You are at work in them to will and to do Your good pleasure.  Set them in Your peace, stability and permanence.

33:21:  Be their Mighty One, a wide river of defense and protection that no enemy can cross to destroy their life.

33:22:  You ARE THE Judge, the Lawgiver and the King.  Save _________ as You promised.

33:24:  Break the power of iniquity that binds them, and forgive them completely of all their sins.  Restore _______ to health?body, soul and spirit.  We ask in Jesus? name, Amen.

Used by permission.

A Prayer for When You Need more Faith

“Teach me to treat all that comes to me with peace of soul and with firm conviction that your will govern all. Amen.”

-Elisabeth Elliot

A Prayer When You Want to be Reflecting Christ

Lord, make my life A window for Your light to shine through and a mirror to reflect Your love to all I meet. Amen.

Make Me an Instrument

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.”

 St. Francis of Assisi

A Prayer When You Feel like You have Failed.

Dear God, The little plans I tried to carry through Have failed. I will not sorrow. I’ll pause a little while, Dear God, And try, again, tomorrow.

Remember how much God Loves You

A Prayer for a Dream

Father, Once I had such big dreams, so much anticipation of the future. Now no shimmering horizon beckons me: my days are lack-luster I see so little of lasting value in the daily round. Where is your plan for my life?

You have told us that without vision, we perish. So, Father in heaven, knowing that I can ask You to deposit in my mind and heart that particular dream, the special vision You have for my life.

And along with the dream, will You give me whatever graces, patience, and stamina it takes to see the dream through to fruition? I sense that may involve adventures I have not bargained for.

But I want to trust You

enough to follow even if you lead along new paths.

I admit to liking some of my ruts.

But I know that habit patterns

that seem cozy nests from the inside,

from Your vantage point

may be prison cells.

Lord,

if you break down

any prisons of mine

before I can see the stars and catch the vision,

then, Lord, begin the process now.

In joyous expectation.

Amen.

-by Catherine Marshall

A Prayer for Conflict Resolution

Dear God, when your son Jesus died and rose from the dead, He broke down walls of hostility. Father, you know the conflict I am having right now. I don’t know how to resolve it. You are our Savior. Please save and restore this relationship. Amen

Why is my marriage in a state of conflict?

A Prayer of Thanksgiving

For health and strength and daily food,
We praise your name, O God. Amen

A Prayer before Meals

Bless us oh Lord and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive, through thy bounty, through Christ, our Lord…Amen

A Prayer for our Children and Grandchildren

Lord, I am so glad that you know each of our children and grandchildren by name. Thank you for sending a whole hedge of angels around each child. Thank you for protecting them all today. Father, would you please turn their minds and hearts toward You and pleasing you. Thank you!

A Prayer for When You are Down-Sizing (Moving)

Lord, I really don’t what to move. I like it here – there are so many memories. I am comfortable here because it is familiar. I know it is to large for me (us) now, to much work, but I have such mixed feelings. I don’t like the thought of all the changes.

I am so glad you never change. You are and always will be a constant in my life. Help me to remember that when I am packing and unpacking. Amen.

Prayer for a Pastor

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of leadership you have given to our pastor. It is a holy calling. It’s a calling to watch over himself and the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made him overseer. The church has been bought with the blood of your son, on the cross. The responsibility you have given to our pastor is awesome. He too is tempted and tried by the enemy. He has many responsibilities be it in his family or in the community and so it is our prayer that he would be kept from the evil one and that you would empower him to live a godly life, so that out of his fullness he would share the message of the gospel boldly. Help our pastor this week as he searches the Word and Your will for the congregation. Will you grant him the health and strength he needs to share your message in humility and with clarity. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Prayer for a Pastor’s Wife

Dear Father in heaven, I thank you for my pastor’s wife. I thank you she loves you and serves you so faithfully. I pray very specially for her today. I pray You will help her cope with all the unexpected things that come into her day. Help her to accept the interruptions as opportunities to serve. Help her to support her husband and learn to go with the flow of his full life. Help her to manage her household well. Just fill her with yourself today. Help her to allow your Holy Spirit to have full control of her life and may she take strength from you as she meditates on You and Your Word. Give her a hug today. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

A Prayer to Put on the Whole Armor of God

Heavenly Father, I praise and worship you because you are God.  I am honored to be your servant and I take my stand today against the devil and his schemes against me, my family and my ministry.  Father, as I take up each piece of the armor, please secure it in place on me.

I take up the shield of faith and extend it over myself.  It extinguishes all the fiery darts of the evil one.

I put on the helmet of salvation, which protects my mind from the enemy’s attacks.  I have the mind of Christ.

I put on the breastplate of righteousness, which covers my body with the righteousness of God.  In Christ, every foothold of evil has been washed away and I am clothed in righteousness!

I gird my loins with the belt of truth.  Your word, O God, is truth.  Father, sanctify me according to your word and remind me through the Holy Spirit of the truth that destroys the lies of sin.  

I shod my feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace.  I have peace with God through the blood of Jesus.  I have favor with God and with man.  I walk in my inheritance as an adopted son of God and have authority over evil in Jesus’ name.

I will use the Sword of the Spirit by speaking the Word of God as it applies to whatever situation I may face today.  Father, please remind me of your Word via the Holy Spirit.

I will continue to pray in the Spirit throughout the day, and intercede for all Christians as the Holy Spirit prompts me.  I believe that the Holy Spirit is interceding on my behalf according to my prayers.    

Thank you, Father, for the whole armor of God.  Please surround me with your hedge of protection as I move forward on the spiritual battlefield today.  I praise and worship you now and forever, Amen.”
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A Prayer for  Those in Prison

Father in Heaven we pray for all who are in prison and ask that they would repent of their wrongdoing and thus be freed from the bondage of their sin and shame .  We pray for courage and faith for each of them.  We also pray for all who are affected by their imprisonment.  May they not lose hope.  May we all learn to follow God’s instructions to forgive each other, do what is right, love mercy and walk humbly with our God.  Amen

thoughts-about-god.com

Most of us do not know how to use the Word of God as prayer. If we use the Word of God in prayers, we are reminded of God’s promises to us and are emboldened to claim those promises; our faith is strengthened and we become patient to wait upon the Lord’s right timing in answering our prayers. His Words are also powerful tools to use especially when Satan, the Devil, attacks us. Also, when you speak the Word of God out of your mouth, His breath is released into your prayer. It is the same breath that God released in Genesis 1:2-3, which says, “The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light” (Genesis 1:2, 3). Be encouraged to pray using the Word of God and the Psalms.

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Prayer Websites

Prayers and Prayers

Prayer for the Day (365days)

Healing Websites

The Healing Word by Joyce Myers’ Ministries

Healing Scriptures by Richard Roberts

Healing Scriptures by Dodie Osteen (a cancer survivor)

Healing Scriptures to Transform Faith by Eurasia Northwest

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Prologue – Why Pray the Word

New Year’s Prayers

Not Only on Christmas Prayer

Prayer for the New Year

Christmas Prayers

Christmas Prayers 2

Sample Easter Prayers

Abba-Prayer For The Touch Of Father-God 

Evening Prayer for The Home

Evening Prayer for Your Household

A Father’s Prayer

Get Well Prayers for Friends

Helpful Prayers for All Occassions

How to Pray for Our Leaders

Journal of Gratitude

Living in God’s Joy and Peace

Mealtime and Dinner Prayers

Morning Affirmations

Morning and Evening Prayers

Morning and Evening Prayers 2

Morning Prayer

Neighborhood Prayer Walk

Opening and Closing Prayer

Personal Morning Prayer

Personal Praise and Adoration 1

Personal Praise and Adoration 2

Prayer Before Exam

Prayer Changes Things

Prayer for a Nation’s Leader

Prayer for Those Who Create with Their Hands

Prayer for Believing

Prayer for Counselors

Prayer for Farmers

Prayer for Homemakers

Prayer for Mothers

Prayers for Marriage

Prayer for Public Servants

Prayer for Rebellious Ones

Prayer for the Unemployed 

Prayer for Teachers

Prayer for Young Children

Prayer Offerings from God’s Word

Praying for Children

Praying The 23rd Psalm

Pray Without Ceasing

Prayers That Avail Much For Teens

Abstinence From Premarital Sex

Before An Exam

Before a Sports Event

Children at School

Comfort For Loss

Commitment to the Lord

Confession

Controlling Your Thoughts

Controlling Your Tongue

Finances

Forgiving Others

Future Spouse

Healing

Infilling of the Holy Spirit

Knowing God’s Will

Leaders of Our Country

Light Over Darkness

Making a Difficult Decision

Part Time or Full Time Job

Pastor and Youth Pastor

Personal Confession

Priorities

Praise and Thanksgiving

Prayer for Our Country

Protection

Protection While Traveling

Salvation

Self-Esteem

Showing Mercy

To Have Confidence

To Obtain and Maintain Godly Character

Undertaking a New Project

When You Feel Lonely and Unloved

Wisdom and God’s Will

Your Appearance

Prayers That Prevail Much For Believers

Business Meetings

Conducting a Meeting

Convening a Meeting

Ending a Meeting

The Church

Local Church

The Universal Church

Local Church Leaders

Revival in the Church

Walking With Jesus

Receiving Jesus as Savior and Lord

Abiding in Christ

Growing in Christ

Walking in Obedience

Who the Lord Is to Me

Spiritual Power

Being Filled With the Holy Spirit

Walking in the Spirit

Walking in Victory

Walking in Faith

Putting God First

Walking in Strength

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A Song of Ascents.

1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—

From whence comes my help? 2 My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;

He who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is your keeper;

The LORD is your shade at your right hand. 6 The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;

He shall preserve your soul. 8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Psalm 121:1-8

www.sabangdisciples.org

“Prayer meetings were the arteries of the early church. Through them, life-sustaining power was derived. The condition of the church may be very accurately gauged by its prayer meetings. So is the prayer meeting a grace-o-meter, and from it, we may judge of the amount of divine working among a people. If God is near a church, it must pray. And if He is not there, one of dying first tokens of His absence will be a slothfulness in prayer!” Charles Haddon Spurgeon

When is the last time you prayed for your church body? What about your pastor? Staff? Leadership? Have you prayed for your Sunday School teacher? Have you interceded on behalf of issues taking place in your church or decisions that need to be made?

Our churches are under the attack of the enemy like never before. Our leaders and each of our brothers and sisters in Christ need our prayers. We are the Body of Christ and we must lift one another up! Let’s use these prayers for the church – both your local church and those around the world. 

A Prayer for Good to Prevail over Evil

“‘As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.’ Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.” Genesis 50:20

Lord, what the enemy means for evil against our church body, we believe You can use for good. Remind our hearts of this. When we are being attacked and crushed from all sides, remind us of Your faithfulness to use everything for Your good and Your glory. May we not fear but trust in Your provision for our church family. May we not only be readers of Your Word but believers and doers. Increase our faith, Lord.

A Prayer for Unity as a Church Body

“I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3

God, help our church body to walk in a manner worthy of the calling You have given us. Help us in all our interactions with one another to have humble and gentle hearts. Grant us patience for one another, bearing with one another in love. Grant the Body of Christ unity. May we walk humbly with You, God, allowing You to show us our wrongs.

A Prayer to Seek the Lord

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.” 2 Chronicles 7:14-15

Lord, You have told us in Your Word that You hear our prayers. We are crying out to You, we are humbling ourselves before You and seeking Your face. We come together as a church body to seek You. We repent and turn from our wicked ways, thank You for hearing us. Thank you for Your forgiveness and healing.

A Prayer to Pursue Peace

“So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” Romans 14:19

Father God, You desire peace and unity and encouragement for our body of believers. Help us, Lord, to pursue what makes for peace and for building one another up. To pursue the things You will lead to peace and unity. Give us discerning hearts to know Your will and give us the courage to be obedient. Lord, we know that without You and Your Holy Spirit indwelling each of us, we cannot do any of these things. But, with You and for Your glory, grant our body peace and unity.

A Prayer to Follow Jesus

“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” Luke 9:23-24

Lord, You have given us what seems like an impossible task with this passage. You have asked us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow You. Even when our spirits are willing, the flesh is weak. You know our hearts, Father. Help us, with Your Holy Spirit, to examine our hearts and hear from You. The longer we walk with You, the more we look like You. We desire to become more and more like You, less selfish and more selfless, willing to deny ourselves in any and all situations. You have told us that when we lose our life for Your sake, we will save it. Save us from ourselves, God.

As we lift up these words for our churches, let us come before God with humility and a willingness to obey. Let us put others first and serve our brothers and sisters in Christ. May we seek God first, putting aside our own desires. May we become intercessors for our brothers and sisters in Christ. May we pray more and criticize less. May we be encouragers and uplifters.

Candace Crabtree is just a broken mama thankful for grace and new mercies every morning. She and her husband live in East Tennessee where they homeschool their 3 kids. Candace also enjoys teaching piano, coffee, good books and blogging at His Mercy Is New. On her blog, she shares encouragement for weary women from God’s Word along with resources for learning to pray the Scriptures. 

Publication date: July 7, 2016

This article is part of our larger Prayers resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can’t find the words to pray.

Prayer for Healing

Prayer for StrengthPrayer for ProtectionMorning PrayersGood Night PrayersSinner’s PrayerPrayer for ForgivenessPrayer for GuidanceIntercessory PrayerPrayer for PeacePrayer for FaithPrayer for Love

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