Prayer Ministry
Prayer is an extremely important part of Cross and Resurrection. You will notice many opportunities for Prayer both as a congregation and individually.
Prayer begins before worship during the Pastor's Bible Study, Continues in Worship with Prayer available for individuals during Communion.
We pray for all requests that we receive on the cards given in the offering.
F-A-C-T-S: The 5 Elements of Prayer
The Acronym F-A-C-T-S: Faith, Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication
1. FAITH
It takes a lot faith to begin to pray.We can't see, hear, touch, or see God, yet we need
to have faith to believe that He exists. The Bible says that "without faith it is
impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is (that is
He exists), and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Heb. 11:6).
Faith is a very important component in prayer.
"And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (Matt. 21:22)
"Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive
them, and you will have them." (Mark 11:24)
"Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So
Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have
faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it
will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out
except by prayer and fasting.”" (Matt. 17:19-21)
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without
reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he
who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." (James 1:5-6)
2.ADORATION
God is certainly worthy of our praise, love, adoration, and worship.When we come
to God in prayer we need to praise Him and adore Him.
"Therefore David blessed the Lord before all the assembly; and David said: “Blessed are
You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness,
The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in
earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, And You are exalted as head over all. Both
riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is power and
might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all. “Now therefore, our
God, We thank You And praise Your glorious name." (1 Chron. 29:10-13)
"In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name." (Matt.
6:9) "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all
things, And by Your will they exist and were created." (Rev. 4:11)
"I will extol You, my God, O King; And I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every
day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever." (Psalm 145:1-2)
3. CONFESSION
Unconfessed sin breaks our fellowship with God and is a hindrance to answered
prayer.When we confess and repent of our sins that barrier is broken and our
fellowship with God is restored.
"When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. For day
and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of
summer. I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will
confess my transgressions to the Lord,” And You forgave the iniquity of my sin." (Psalm
32:3-5)
"Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the
multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from
my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my
sin is always before me." (Psalm 51:1-3)
"He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will
have mercy." (Prov. 28:13)
"When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make
many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood." (Isaiah 1:15)
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we
confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness." (1 John 1:8-9)
4. THANKSGIVING
Thanksgiving and gratitude to God should not be lacking in the Christian's heart
and mouth.We should not forget all His benefits.We should thank Him for giving
His Son.We should thank Him for what He has done for us and what He will do for
us. "Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with
psalms." (Psalm 95:2) "Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." (Psalm
118:1) "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving,
let your requests be made known to God;" (Phil. 4:6) "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of
God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thess. 5:16-18) "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit
of our lips, giving thanks to His name." (Heb. 13:15)
Five Things to Thank God for Based on Psalm 103:1-5
"Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the
Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who
heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with
loving kindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that
your youth is renewed like the eagle’s." (Psalm 103:1-5)
1. Forgiveness of sins (vs. 3a)
2. Health (vs. 3b)
3. Deliverance (vs. 4a)
4. His lovingkindness and tender mercies (vs. 4b)
5. Provision (vs. 5)
5. SUPPLICATION
Supplication is when we bring our needs, requests and petitions before God not only
for ourselves but also for others. The Bible says to "come boldly to the throne of
grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16).
Through Christ we have access to God (Eph. 2:18; John 14:6).
"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of
thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a
quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence." (1 Tim. 2:1-2)
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end
with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—" (Eph. 6:18)
"Give us this day our daily bread." (Matt. 6:11)
Peter Sarkis
www.preeminenceofchrist.org
Prayer Helps for the Prayer Vigil: Use these between Psalm 23, 91, etc… Also please pray in the Spirit!
Sometimes, it is very easy to slip into a state in which you find your mind consumed with anxious thoughts that leave you worried. If you find yourself struggling with worry, or are feeling anxious inside, the Psalms given below can help you find peace.
Remember, the Bible is a great resource to help bring you back to enjoying a healthy perspective on life. It reminds you that when you are weak, He is strong! So in moments of worry, fear and anxiety, cast your cares upon the Lord to find strength and comfort.
The Psalms were written for all kinds of people, including those fighting despair and anxiety, so they are perfect for trying to break free if you are feeling this way. If you are looking for hope and encouragement, turn to the Psalms. They are a reminder of God's consistent love for us and the fact that, in our darkest moments when we may be lost or struggling with anxiety, He is there with us.
"I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust" (Psalm 91:2).
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me" (Psalm 23:1-4).
"Thou art my hiding place; Thou shalt preserve me from trouble; Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah" (Psalm 32:7).
"The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit"(Psalm 34:18).
"Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be Thou my strong rock, for a house of defense to save me" (Psalm 31:2).
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident" (Psalm 27:1-3).
“What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee" (Psalm 56:3).
"Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth, will I cry unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For Thou hast been a shelter for me and a strong tower from the enemy" (Psalm 61:1-3).
"In the multitude of my thoughts, within me thy comforts delight my soul" (Psalm 94:19).
For Repentance:
Daniel's Prayer for His People
Daniel 9 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— 2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.
3 Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. 4 I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5 we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. 7 To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you. 8 To us, O Lord, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. 9 To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him 10 and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. 11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him. 12 He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us,[a] by bringing upon us a great calamity. For under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what has been done against Jerusalem. 13 As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth. 14 Therefore the Lord has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us, for the Lord our God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice. 15 And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly.
16 “O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. 17 Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord,[b] make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. 18 O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”
Gabriel Brings an Answer
20 While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the Lord my God for the holy hill of my God, 21 while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He made me understand, speaking with me and saying, “O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. 23 At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved!
Habakkuk 3 English Standard Version (ESV)
Habakkuk's Prayer
3 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth.
2 O Lord, I have heard the report of you,
and your work, O Lord, do I fear.
In the midst of the years revive it;
in the midst of the years make it known;
in wrath remember mercy.
3 God came from Teman,
and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah
His splendor covered the heavens,
and the earth was full of his praise.
4 His brightness was like the light;
rays flashed from his hand;
and there he veiled his power.
5 Before him went pestilence,
and plague followed at his heels.[a]
6 He stood and measured the earth;
he looked and shook the nations;
then the eternal mountains were scattered;
the everlasting hills sank low.
His were the everlasting ways.
7 I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction;
the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.
8 Was your wrath against the rivers, O Lord?
Was your anger against the rivers,
or your indignation against the sea,
when you rode on your horses,
on your chariot of salvation?
9 You stripped the sheath from your bow,
calling for many arrows.[b] Selah
You split the earth with rivers.
10 The mountains saw you and writhed;
the raging waters swept on;
the deep gave forth its voice;
it lifted its hands on high.
11 The sun and moon stood still in their place
at the light of your arrows as they sped,
at the flash of your glittering spear.
12 You marched through the earth in fury;
you threshed the nations in anger.
13 You went out for the salvation of your people,
for the salvation of your anointed.
You crushed the head of the house of the wicked,
laying him bare from thigh to neck.[c] Selah
14 You pierced with his own arrows the heads of his warriors,
who came like a whirlwind to scatter me,
rejoicing as if to devour the poor in secret.
15 You trampled the sea with your horses,
the surging of mighty waters.
16 I hear, and my body trembles;
my lips quiver at the sound;
rottenness enters into my bones;
my legs tremble beneath me.
Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble
to come upon people who invade us.
Habakkuk Rejoices in the Lord
17 Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
19 God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer's;
he makes me tread on my high places.
To the choirmaster: with stringed[d] instruments.
In times of affliction and distress (2)
Almighty and everlasting God, the consolation of the sorrowful and the strength of the weak, may the prayers of those who in any tribulation or distress cry to You graciously come before You, so that in every situation they may recognize and receive Your gracious help, comfort, and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
For the whole Christian Church
Almighty and everlasting God, since You govern and sanctify the whole Christian Church by Your Holy Spirit, hear our prayers for all its members. Mercifully grant that, by Your grace, we may serve You in true faith; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
For the sick
O God, the strength of the weak and the consolation of all who put their trust in You, mercifully accept our prayers on behalf of Your servant [name] that by Your power [his/her] sickness may be turned to health according to Your good and gracious will; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
I thought of you when I read this quote from "Lutheran Book of Prayer: Fifth Edition" by Scot Kinnaman -
"FOR THE CONGREGATION Dearest Jesus, my Redeemer and the Shepherd of my soul, I thank You that through Holy Baptism You have made me a member of Your body, the Church. I entreat You to bless most richly the congregation of saints of which You have called me to be a part. May Your Word always be purely preached and taught among us, and may we gladly hear and learn it and grow in knowledge of and love for You. May Your Sacraments be given according to Your command, and may we always value most highly the forgiveness of sins and eternal life You give us through them. Work in us love and respect for our pastor. Help us to uphold him and his family in prayer and obey him as Your undershepherd, so that with joy he may fulfill the task You have given him of guarding our souls. Prepare us through his ministry to use the gifts You have given each of us in service to others, that Your body might be built up. Keep far from us pride and dissension. Help us, without jealousy, to value the diverse gifts You have given our brothers and sisters. Teach us to weep with and support those who suffer and to rejoice with those who rejoice. Call, gather, and enlighten many others to travel with us on the journey to heaven, where You together with the Father and the Holy Spirit are worshiped by saints and angels, now and forever. Amen. (97)"
"AT A TIME OF NATIONAL CRISIS OR CALAMITY Heavenly Father, I come to Your throne of mercy, bowed down and wearied by the weight of suffering and disaster visited upon our country. I beg You to protect this nation in our hour of need. I acknowledge my trespasses before You and do not deny either my own transgressions of Your holy Law or the sins of other citizens of my homeland. We are laden with iniquity, but You call us to Your forgiveness, salvation, hope, and life. Turn the hearts and minds of all to You, that they might find peace through the cleansing of Jesus’ blood. Let me not be confounded or dismayed, so that I, a child of Your grace, may courageously speak to this needy world of the hope that is within me. Make me an instrument of Your peace in a world of conflict, a witness to the power of faith in a world lost in unbelief, and a bearer of the joy that overcomes the sorrow of a fallen world. Grant to the leaders of this nation and all the nations of the world wise counsel, calm thinking, and unselfish aims. Amid the tumult of disaster, build Your kingdom and turn even more souls to Yourself. Because of Your grace, we are not altogether lost but find peace and forgiveness in You. O Lord, give me the grace to seek You, trust You, and confess You; in Jesus’ name. Amen. (106)"
"Day of Humiliation and Prayer O great God, just and holy, I, a sinful, unclean creature, come before You in deep humility, confessing my many sins and my total unworthiness. Enter not into judgment against Your servant, for in Your sight no man living shall be justified. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your loving-kindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. I am aware of my many failings and that I deserve nothing but Your displeasure and punishment. But heavenly Father, You are loving and merciful. Though my sins be as scarlet, make them white as snow. In the wounds of Jesus You have provided cleansing for my uncleanness and pardon for my iniquity. Through Your Holy Spirit let me take refuge at all times in the sacred wounds of my Savior and put my trust in His atoning sacrifice. Pardoned by You, strengthened through Your Word and Sacraments, show me how I can go out with a joyful heart, eager to serve You in my work and in service to my family and neighbors. Hear me for the sake of my precious Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen. (92)"
Psalms:
The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation
Of David.
27 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold[a] of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet[b] I will be confident.
4 One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire[c] in his temple.
5 For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
8 You have said, “Seek[d] my face.”
My heart says to you,
“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”[e]
9 Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
O God of my salvation!
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
but the Lord will take me in.
11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they breathe out violence.
13 I believe that I shall look[f] upon the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living!
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!
My Help Comes from the Lord
A Song of Ascents.
121 I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.
Let Your Glory Be over All the Earth
To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam[a] of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.
57 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
till the storms of destruction pass by.
2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
3 He will send from heaven and save me;
he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah
God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!
4 My soul is in the midst of lions;
I lie down amid fiery beasts—
the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!
6 They set a net for my steps;
my soul was bowed down.
They dug a pit in my way,
but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah
7 My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast!
I will sing and make melody!
8 Awake, my glory![b]
Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awake the dawn!
9 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
10 For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!
Psalm 91 English Standard Version (ESV)
My Refuge and My Fortress
91 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say[a] to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge[b]—
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”