Jesus First Prayer Guide Praying the Bible for the Church

Jesus First @ Kennesaw First ST S FIR PRAY U ER S JE 365 DAYS N ES AW FIR S T BA IS KE N MINUTES OF PRAYER T PT Jesus First Prayer Guide Praying the Bible for the Church VOLUME ONE: JULY 4 - OCTOBER 23, 2016

VOLUME ONE: JULY 4 OCTOBER 23, 2016 July 4-10, 2016 Seeking the face of God in prayer WEEK TWO: July 11-17, 2016 Seeking God s greatness and praising His glory WEEK THREE: July 18-24, 2016 Seeking God s character and praising His holy & glorious name WEEK FOUR: July 25-31, 2016 God will make you worthy of His calling WEEK FIVE: August 1-7, 2016 God will fulfill every purpose for good WEEK SIX: August 8-14, 2016 God will provide every work of faith by His power WEEK SEVEN: August 15-21, 2016 Praising the person of God WEEK EIGHT: August 22-28, 2016 Praising God for His majesty and power WEEK NINE: August 29-September 4, 2016 Giving thanks to God for His graciousness WEEK TEN: September 5-11, 2016 Giving thanks to God for His goodness TABLE OF CONTENTS WEEK ONE: WEEK ELEVEN: September 12-18, 2016 Exalting Jesus, who suffered and died that we may live WEEK TWELVE: September 19-25, 2016 Exalting Jesus, Eternal God, who reigns supreme as our priestly King WEEK THIRTEEN: September 26-October 2, 2016 Jesus as your model and pattern for prayer WEEK FOURTEEN: October 3-9, 2016 Pray under the leadership of the Holy Spirit WEEK FIFTEEN: October 10-16, 2016 Pray for the unity of the Body of Christ WEEK SIXTEEN: October 17-23, 2016 Pray for wisdom JESUS FIRST PRAYER GUIDE 1

INTRODUCTION If we will pray in faith with an open Bible that the Word of God and the Holy Spirit will direct our prayers, we can have confidence that our prayers will be biblically based. Our goal is to pray prayers that are shaped by the Scriptures and not by our opinions, wants, and desires. The purpose of this prayer guide is to keep our focus on Scripture and guide our petitions. By following it the entire church will be focused on the same Scripture passage throughout the year as we seek to glorify Him. This prayer guide provides a key Scripture passage each day. Keep your Bibles open. Read each Scripture passage. Meditate on it, then pray as the Holy Spirit guides you. If time allows after praying the Scriptures for yourself, take time to pray for each of your family members individually. Pray for each person in your Life Group individually; then pray for other church members and for your church staff individually. You have been asked to commit to spend a minimum of 10 minutes each day for the next 365 days in prayer specifically for our church. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you as you pray. Give God your praise, thanksgiving, and supplication as the Holy Spirit leads. The Word of God and the Spirit of God will lead the people of God to pray increasingly according to the will of God. 2 JESUS FIRST PRAYER GUIDE JESUS FIRST PRAYER GUIDE 3

EXAMPLES OF PRAYING THE SCRIPTURES The following pages contain examples of praying the Bible. A good resource for learning to pray the Bible is a book by Don Whitney called Praying the Bible. Throughout this guide you will be praying your own prayers based upon the Scriptures you read. Open your Bible to Psalm 1:1-6. Read it, then meditate on it. Your prayer may sound something like this: Lord, give me the desire to search and meditate upon Your word both day and night. Lift me up, Lord, that I may not walk, nor stand, nor sit in the pathway of evil and sinful ways. Plant me, Lord, beside the life-giving streams of water. Bury my roots deeply that I may drink abundantly of Your Word in order that I may do Your will for my life and find success. Don t allow me to dry up like the chaff and worthlessly blow away. My heart s desire is to stand side by side with my brothers and sisters in the pathway of righteousness. Open your Bible. Read Ephesians 1:17-19 and meditate on it. Your prayer may sound something like this prayer by Peter Lord, The 29:59 Plan: God of our Lord Jesus Christ, Father of Glory, give me a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Jesus. I pray that my eyes may be enlightened, so that I may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of Your power toward us who believe. After you pray this prayer for yourself pray it for each member of your family, for each member in your Life Group, for your church staff, and for others that the Lord puts upon your heart. Do likewise for other prayers throughout this guide. Open your Bible and read 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. Meditate on it. Your prayer may sound something like this prayer by Peter Lord, The 29:59 Plan: Lord, I thank You that Your grace is sufficient for me, for Your power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that Your power may dwell in me. Therefore, I will be well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Your sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 4 JESUS FIRST PRAYER GUIDE Open your Bible and read Isaiah 64:4-5. Meditate on the passage. Your prayer may sound something like this: Lord, there is no God besides You, who acts in behalf of the one who waits for You. You meet the one who rejoices in doing righteousness, who remembers You in Your ways. Read Romans 8 to better understand the role of the Holy Spirit in helping you to pray. Spirit-led and Spirit-filled praying is very important to Jesus First prayer. Open your Bible and read Romans 8:26-27. Meditate on the passage. Your prayer may sound something like this: I praise You, Holy Spirit, who helps my weakness, for I do not know how to pray as I should. But, You intercede for me. Open your Bible and read 2 Samuel 22:2-4. Meditate on the passage. Your prayer may sound something like this: Lord, You are my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge. My Savior, You save me from violence. I call upon You, Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. Open your Bible and read Isaiah 12:1-6. Meditate on the passage. Your prayer may sound something like this: I give thanks to You, O Lord, for, although You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me. Behold You are my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid. You are my strength and song, and have become my salvation. Therefore, I joyously draw water from the springs of salvation. I give You thanks, and call upon Your name. I make known Your deeds among the peoples; I proclaim to them that Your name is exalted. You have done excellent things. See the next two pages of this booklet for the scripture and a prayer for putting on the full armor of God. JESUS FIRST PRAYER GUIDE 5

THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on Prayer: the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the Lord, keep me strong in Your strength and might. Clothe me in the full armor that You have so graciously provided for Your children so that I may stand against the spiritual forces that wage war against me and Your church. Father, I want to be found standing and withstanding in the day of evil. Help me, Father, as I engage in this battle that has taken our world over, that has come against Your church, and that tries to bring down each of us with its fury. schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. EPHESIANS 6:10-20, ESV Attach the belt of truth, Father, that Your truth may secure and protect my heart. Fill me with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, that my emotions may be held firmly in check. Father, attach the breastplate of righteousness, protecting my heart. May I be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Father, put on me the shoes of readiness to share the Gospel of peace. Lord, enable me to be prepared to give an account for the hope that is in me for my good works. Father, equip me with the shield of faith to extinguish all the flaming darts of the Evil One. Father, equip me with the helmet of salvation that will protect my mind, that I may not doubt my salvation. May my mind be protected so that I think upon those things that are honorable, pure, lovely, commendable, and excellent. Keep me in Your word alert, persevering, and making supplication for all the saints, that we all will boldly proclaim the Good News of the Gospel. May all of this be to Your glory and praise. 6 JESUS FIRST PRAYER GUIDE JESUS FIRST PRAYER GUIDE 7

SCRIPTURE PRAYER GUIDE WEEK ONE: JULY 4-10, 2016 seeking the face of God for a Spirit-filled refreshing for your life and our church. WEEK THREE: JULY 18-24, 2016 seeking God s character and praising His holy and glorious Name. Ephesians 3:14-21 Ephesians 3:14-21 1 John 5:13-15 Psalm 113:1-9 Psalm 96:1-13 Matthew 7:7-12 John 14:5-14 Psalm 97:1-12 Mark 11:20-25 Psalm 145:1-21 Psalm 42:1-11 Psalm 86:1-17 Nehemiah 1:1-11 WEEK TWO: JULY 11-17, 2016 WEEK FOUR: Revelation 4:6-11 JULY 25-31, 2016 Read, meditate, and pray that God will make you worthy of His calling. seeking God s greatness and praising His glory. (Part One of Paul s pattern of prayer for the church.) Romans 11:33-36 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 Psalm 8:1-9 1 Thessalonians 2:10-16 Psalm 24:1-10 Psalm 29:1-11 Philippians 1:27 30 Psalm 46:1-11 Colossians 1:3-14 Psalm 47:1-9 Psalm 63:1-11 "EACH TIME, BEFORE YOU INTERCEDE, BE QUIET FIRST, AND WORSHIP GOD IN HIS GLORY. THINK OF WHAT HE CAN DO, AND HOW HE DELIGHTS TO HEAR THE PRAYERS OF HIS REDEEMED PEOPLE. THINK OF YOUR PLACE AND PRIVILEGE IN CHRIST, AND EXPECT GREAT THINGS!" ANDREW MURRAY 8 JESUS FIRST PRAYER GUIDE Ephesians 4:1-13 2 Peter 1:3-15 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 "THE WORD OF GOD IS THE FOOD BY WHICH PRAYER IS NOURISHED AND MADE STRONG." E. M. BOUNDS JESUS FIRST PRAYER GUIDE 9

WEEK FIVE: AUGUST 1-7, 2016 WEEK SEVEN: AUGUST 15-21, 2016 Read, meditate, and pray you may fulfill every good purpose with power. (Part Two of Paul s pattern of prayer for the church.) praising the person of God. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 Psalm 34:1-22 James 1:22-25 Psalm 66:1-20 James 2:17-26 Matthew 7:21-29 Psalm 148:1-14 Philemon 1:4-7 Psalm 98:1-9 WEEK SIX: 1 Peter 2:9-12 Matthew 5:13-16 AUGUST 8-14, 2016 Read, meditate, pray that every work of faith will be empowered by God s love. (Part Three of Paul s pattern of prayer for the church.) WEEK EIGHT: Habakkuk 3:17-19 Psalm 149:1-9 AUGUST 22-28, 2016 praising God for His majesty and power. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 Psalm 95:1-11 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4 Psalm 99:1-9 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 Psalm 147:1-20 Hebrews 6:9-12 Psalm 63:1-11 Galatians 5:2-15 Psalm 8:1-9 Ephesians 6:23-24 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 "PRAYER CAN NEVER BE IN EXCESS." CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON 10 JESUS FIRST PRAYER GUIDE Psalm 67:1-7 Psalm 76: 1-12 Psalm 93:1-5 AS HE THAT FEARS GOD FEARS NOTHING ELSE, SO, HE THAT SEES GOD SEES NOTHING ELSE." JOHN DONNE JESUS FIRST PRAYER GUIDE 11

WEEK NINE: AUGUST 29 SEPTEMBER 4, 2016 WEEK ELEVEN: SEPTEMBER 12-18, 2016 exalting the name and person of Jesus. giving thanks to God for His majesty and power. He came and suffered and died that we might live. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 1 John 1:1-2:6 Psalm 100:1-5 Romans 6:1-14 Psalm 92:1-15 Galatians 2:17-21 Psalm 104:1-23 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Psalm 104:24-35 Romans 8:31-39 Philippians 2:1-11 Revelation 1:1-20 WEEK TEN: Psalm 97:1-12 Philippians 4:4-9 SEPTEMBER 5-11, 2016 WEEK TWELVE: SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2016 exalting the name and person of Jesus, giving thanks to God for His goodness. eternal God who reigns supreme as our priestly King. Ephesians 5:15-21 John 1:1-5 Psalm 103:1-22 Hebrews 5:5-10 Psalm 19:1-14 Colossians 1:15-23 2 Corinthians 9:10-15 John 15:1-11 Psalm 96:1-13 John 6:35-40 Psalm 90:1-17 John 10:1-18 Philippians 4:4-7 Jude 24-25; Revelation 5:8-14 FOR FRESHNESS OF UTTERANCE, FOR BREADTH OF COMPREHENSION, FOR ELEVATION OF THOUGHT, FOR INTIMACY OF HEART, THERE IS NO PRAYER LIKE THAT WHICH FORMS ITSELF IN THE WORDS AND THOUGHTS OF SCRIPTURE. J. GRAHAM MILLER 12 JESUS FIRST PRAYER GUIDE JESUS FIRST PRAYER GUIDE 13

WEEK THIRTEEN: SEPTEMBER 26 OCTOBER 2, 2016 using Jesus as your model for prayer. OCTOBER 10-16, 2016 Read, meditate, and pray for the unity of the Body of Christ. John 17:1-5 Romans 12:9-16 John 17:6-19 Ephesians 4:1-6 John 17:20-26 Colossians 3:12-17 Matthew 6:5-13 1 Peter 3:8-13 Matthew 6:9-13 Philippians 2:1-3 WEEK FOURTEEN: Luke 11:5-12 Psalm 22:22-31 OCTOBER 3-9, 2016 Read, meditate, and pray under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. WEEK SIXTEEN: Psalm 133:1-3 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 OCTOBER 17-23, 2016 Read, meditate, and pray for wisdom. John 16:5-16 James 1:5-8 John 14:15-31 Proverbs 1:1-33 Proverbs 2:1-15 1 John 2:18-27 Ephesians 1:11-14 Proverbs 8:1-21 Ephesians 2:14-22 Proverbs 8:22-36 John 6:35-40 2 Peter 1:2-11 IF I TRY TO PRAY FOR PEOPLE OR EVENTS WITHOUT HAVING THE WORD IN FRONT OF ME GUIDING MY PRAYER, THEN SEVERAL NEGATIVE THINGS HAPPEN. ONE IS THAT I TEND TO BE VERY REPETITIVE... I JUST PRAY THE SAME THINGS ALL THE TIME. ANOTHER NEGATIVE THING IS THAT MY MIND TENDS TO WANDER. JOHN PIPER 14 JESUS FIRST PRAYER GUIDE WEEK FIFTEEN: Proverbs 9:1-12 Proverbs 3:13-27 WE CAN DO NOTHING GREATER THAN PRAY UNTIL WE HAVE PRAYED AND WE CAN DO NOTHING GREATER THAN PRAY AFTER WE HAVE PRAYED. UNKNOWN JESUS FIRST PRAYER GUIDE 15

The unlimited potential of prayer as seen through the promises in the Bible is staggering, as God moves into action in the lives and situations that we bring before Him. Yet, little praying is done. Why? Because the prayer lives of many people have been discouraging and frustrating. Why? Because the basic feeling seems to be that prayer is an attempt to move God over to our point of view to get God to do what we want done to use Him as a means to our end. So, somehow, it seems easier to try to do it ourselves, the best we can, than to get God involved in it. Yet, in prayer we ought to seek to discover God s point of view and how, when, and where He wants us to move and live... and obey. Peter Lord 5 Principles of Prayer Pray: 1. In humility 2. In faith 3. In accordance with God's will 4. Focused on others 5. In the name of Jesus 16 JESUS FIRST PRAYER GUIDE

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