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.
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…
For those who are unwell…
For political leaders…
For church communities…
For our local church in Galway…
For those with particular and various needs…
Pray for those who feel troubled and anxious…
For Researchers and workers…
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.
“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
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]