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Prayer Life, 20 March 2020

Prayer Weekend Resources

Please use whenever is convenient to. All those taking part this weekend (from 9pm 20th March- 9pm 22nd March) in our continuous 48 hours of prayer, will have received the timetable with the slots they have chosen.

Rise Up!

The late Dr Billy Graham said,

“We are to pray in times of adversity, lest we become faithless and unbelieving. We are to pray in times of prosperity, lest we become boastful and proud.
We are to pray in times of danger, lest we become fearful and doubting.
We are to pray in times of security, lest we become self-sufficient.”

We are to pray, pray, pray and so as a church we lift our eyes to God!

We play our part by praying our part!

We can know and experience the goodness of God, even now!

As we pray, we take our lead from Jesus who prayed continuously, even while suffering on the cross.

The apostle Paul writing to the church at Philippi, where he had once been beaten and imprisoned, tells the believers in the book of Philippians not to worry or to be anxious about anything. Instead, Paul instructs them they should pray for God’s blessing and make supplication for his protection and do it all with thanksgiving.

P – Pause
R – Rejoice and Reflect
A – Ask of God
Y – Yield to God

As you pause, light a candle if it’s safe to do that…

Remember that others around this world, around Ireland, around Galway are praying now…

Please feel free to use these resources…

Or use other readings, Bible texts and songs as you feel led by the Spirit of Christ.

Pause

As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still; to breathe slowly;
to re-centre my scattered senses upon the presence of God.
Untameable God, in this season of Lent, when so much seems uncertain, lead me to be still in Your unchangeable presence, guide me in your ways, open Your Word to me.
‘Test me, LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind’ (Psa. 26:2). Teach me to depend on You and You alone. Today, I welcome Your Spirit and listen for Your word in the wild.

Rejoice and Reflect

I rejoice in God’s strength today, joining with the ancient praise of all God’s people in the words of Psalm 108…
My heart is confident in you, O God;
no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart!
Wake up, lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn with my song.
I will thank you, LORD, among all the people.
I will sing your praises among the nations.

Psalm 108:1–3

Father into my restlessness, bring your calm.
Into my striving, bring Your peace.
Into my not knowing, bring Your I Am, I See, and I Know…
Lord, comfort me.

“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” Isaiah 66:13

Jesus you said over the people, “how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” Matthew 23:37

Open my eyes to see the details of your love within the ordinary and within the difficult of my day;
The friends and companions who support me with love, and in prayer.
The daily provision from Your hand.
The privilege, and pleasure of being able to see and hear, to touch and taste.
Settle me again with a deep understanding that as your child I am enough, that you delight in me, and that under the shadow of your wings I am always safe.
This day I ask afresh that you “drop your still your, still dew of quietness ’till all my striving cease,
so that I can then, by your grace, display within my life the beauty of your peace.”
( J. G.Whittier hymn)
In Jesus name I pray. Amen

The people of Israel called out to God when in need of God’s salvation and restoration.

“Hear us, Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock.
You who sit enthroned between the cherubim,
shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
Awaken your might;
come and save us.
Restore us, O God;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.”
Psalm 80:1–3

This psalm, like many others, is reminding God that He should come to Israel’s aid.
The psalmists are unashamedly bold in their urgent requests to God. They are in trouble, and their song strongly suggests that God needs to do something about it. He is the only One who can.

Ask

How honest am I with God in prayer? What do I want to ask the Lord today?

For myself. For others. For this world at this time.
I lift up my requests…
[Pray your requests]

Who do I know who needs my prayers today? Those who need help, healing, salvation and restoration – I ask without fear or shame: Lord, help them.

We turn to prayer for this land and this world at this time.

For those giving Medical care…

Pray for those who work in healthcare, whether they are nurses, porters, doctors, carers, security and ancillary staff or suppliers. Pray for safety and strength as they work. Pray for stamina and resilience.
Pray for the HSE and NHS (in Northern Ireland) as staff cancel operations, reorganize services and learn how to best deal with this great upheaval.
Pray for those who have been awaiting operations and now have to deal with the disappointment of their appointment being cancelled. Ask God to grant them patience while they continue to deal with their own discomfort and pain.
Pray for first-responders who are tasked with triaging, testing, and treating increasing numbers of people who arrive in hospital suffering from the Covid-19 virus. Ask God to give them patience, wisdom and a gentle spirit as they work to navigate fears and offer effective treatment.

For those who are unwell…

Pray for those people who are presently unwell in hospital or at home and need God’s loving touch because they are suffering the effects of Covid-19. May they feel God’s power of healing through the care of doctors and nurses.
Pray that the Lord will take away the fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation from people receiving treatment or presently under quarantine.
Pray that those who are currently unwell would be patient as they take time to get better.
Pray that those they live with will be protected as well. Protect their families and friends and bring peace to all who love them.
Pray for the families who have lost loved ones during this time.
Ask God to comfort the broken-hearted and to strengthen those who mourn, assuring them that God has promised to be close.

For political leaders…

Pray for political world leaders as they work with healthcare organizations and the medical community to develop next steps. Pray that all would be united for the common good.
Pray for the leaders of the World Health Organization and other important agencies as they give advice to the global community.

For church communities…

As churches do not meet in their usual buildings, pray that the congregations would still have a community heart and concern for one another.
Pray that people would be able to find a way to worship meaningfully during these challenging weeks.
Pray for church leaders as they offer insight and wisdom to their congregations and communities. Ask God to give them opportunities to be voices of reason, clarity and grace.
Pray that God would calm fears and that his people would be reminded we have a different identity – one based in faith, boldness and peace, not fear, panic and hopelessness.
Pray that the church would be a calming presence and radiant light in the face of so much confusion and darkness.
In this time of great anxiety, pray that God’s people would be ready to meet the world with the comfort and hope that only the good news of Jesus Christ can offer.
Pray that we as God’s people would be reminded of our hope in Christ and the truth that our Saviour who died and rose for us has already overcome the world. Pray that we would be people who read his Word and take both his call and his promises to head and heart.

For our local church in Galway…

We remember our brothers and sisters – students, who have been travelling home this week and are now in quarantine for 2 weeks at home.
We pray for those of us whose work/ financial situations have changed.
Those who are scared about loved ones.
Those who are tired working extra hours.
Our brothers and sisters working in medical and health care at this time.
Those who are elderly or have underlying health problems.
Family members who may be ill with other issues.
Those who have had to move from accommodation at this time.
Those with extra struggles because of mental health issues and stress.
Those with very little room as they isolate.

For those with particular and various needs…

Pray for all refugees and migrants around the world at this time, especially those living with little shelter or safety. Lord protect them and be ever present with them.
Pray for those countries that have been hardest hit by the virus so far and regions that are in lockdown.
Pray for those who are homeless at this time. Help us to be kind and compassionate to the most vulnerable in our communities and to seek out opportunities to serve them and show them our love.

Pray for those who feel troubled and anxious…

Pray for those who are anxious about their financial security as a direct result of this crisis.
Pray for people who are more likely than others to become severely ill from Covid-19 — the elderly and people with chronic health conditions. Protect them from harm and be their comfort in this time of uncertainty.
Pray for those facing financial hardship.
Pray for parents who are struggling to work and care for their children.
Pray especially for healthcare workers (and for the general workforce) as they explore childcare options..
Pray that churches would look for ways to reach out to families in their communities to provide for them and show them the love of Christ.

For Researchers and workers…

Pray for people making decisions that affect the lives and futures of our families, communities and the wider world.
Pray for the people developing better tests to diagnose the virus, vaccines to prevent it, and protocols and communication to eliminate the disease’s spread.
Pray for senior medical and scientific officers on the island of Ireland as they analyse the situation and apply their knowledge of medicine and science to this illness.
Pray for researchers and biologists as they work to develop a coronavirus vaccine. Pray for wisdom, insight and quick success in their work.
Pray for those who are involved in the production of additional ventilators and other necessary medical items at this time of emergency. Pray also for wisdom that those in management will know the priorities to adopt.

As we pray for others we remember God knows our struggles, our challenges, our lives at this time.

Yield

As I return to the passage, I open my ears to hear Your Word,
and my heart to yield to Your will once again.

While praying this psalm, the Israelites aren’t just crying out to God but reminding themselves of God’s might and salvation. They may be lost and in trouble, but God is their Shepherd so they need not fear.
God is faithful, God is able.
He can take our fear and give us courage.
He can take our questions and give us trust and faith.

I remember the ways God has helped me in the past, the ways He has comforted and provided for me. Lord, I choose to worship You now, regardless of circumstances. I remember who You are and what You’re capable of.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.

Father, help me to live this week to the full,
being true to You, in every way.
Jesus, help me to give myself away to others,
being kind to everyone I am in contact with.
Spirit, help me to love the lost,
proclaiming Christ in all I do and say.

And “the peace of God,
which passes all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Amen!
Philippians 4:7

[With thanks to Lectio 365 and PCI Moderator’s Let’s Pray focus for content]

Prayer Life, 20 March 2020

Prayer Weekend Resources

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