Prayer Guide for Community Prayer

The habit of selfish and self-centered prayer has generally been ineffective. Praying for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is being done in heaven is correct but misunderstood. Prayer topics can be helpful but if used mechanically can also be ineffective. We must sense the direction of the Holy Spirit in each prayer session to be effective. Still a guide is really helpful to get started. Be alert for revelations and special understandings during prayer and begin to move in that direction and then be led by the Holy Spirit.

Some use the prayer closet doctrine as an excuse for not praying corporately and publicly but a simple study of scripture will show that is not the only way to pray. “Two or more” prayer is valid and effective. “When you come together” is certainly valid prayer.

Certain things will hinder prayers; HEB 12:15] See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; MARK 11:25] "And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your transgressions. [26] ["But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions." 1PET 3:7 You husbands likewise, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and grant her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Prayer should; [1] Change me [2] Reveal motives and intentions of my heart [3] reveal the heart of God [4] bring spiritual unity with others [5] allow the Holy Spirit to move through me on behalf of others [6] release spiritual authority [7] conflict with powers of darkness [8] cause a release of new faith [9] promote intimacy with God [10] ascend to higher worship and praise.

Expect Divine revelations. JER 33:3] `Call to Me, and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.' DAN 2:28] "However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known-------. This is basis of Holy Spirit led prayer. Example; Praying for someone in crisis at a particular time. LUK 22:31 "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; [32] but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail;

Pray for enemies; MAT 5:44] "But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you [45] in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Humble ourselves first; ISA 6:2 "But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word. 1 PET 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, [7] casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.

Prayer for the unconverted and the back-slider. 1 JOHN 5:19----and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 1 JOHN 3:8] the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Wrestling in prayer is spiritual warfare consisting of many battles. If someone wins then someone has to lose! Overcomers win!

Pray for the entrance of the Word of God. PSA 119:130] The unfolding [entrance] of Thy words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. PS 119:105 Thy word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path. Many have heard much preaching and hardened their heart to any more doctrines. Only the Word of God can pierce the heart. ! Kings 18:37] "Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that Thou, O LORD, art God, and that Thou hast turned their heart back again."

Pray for the youth of this generation. LAM 2:11 My eyes fail because of tears, My spirit is greatly troubled; My heart is poured out on the earth, Because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, When little ones and infants faint In the streets of the city. The youth have a distorted and perverted view of God because of the ignorance of parents. The actions of parents teach that God is unimportant and this life is all there is. Pray that God will give direct understanding and raise up leaders today for the next generation.

Expect weakness in prayer until the Holy Spirit works. ROM 8:26 And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; [27] and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. First be filled with the Spirit through praise, worship, thanksgiving, humility, forgiveness and by exercising FAITH that God IS filling you now. MIC 7:7 But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.

Let faith increase your vision. 1 CHRO 4:10] Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that Thou wouldst bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that Thy hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldst keep me from harm, that it may not pain me!" And God granted him what he requested. Effective prayer increases the perimeter of our influence to cross barriers prohibited to us physically. “Go into all the world” is physically impossible to many but is made possible by prayer. PSA. 2:8] `Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Thine inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Thy possession.

Pray for revival in our area. God demonstrated His desire for this area when He sent the first missionaries here 230 years ago. PSA 85:6] Wilt Thou not Thyself revive us again, That Thy people may rejoice in Thee? [7] Show us Thy lovingkindness, O LORD, And grant us Thy salvation. Pray for God’s manifested presence. ISA 64:1 Oh, that Thou wouldst rend the heavens and come down, That the mountains might quake at Thy presence-- [2] As fire kindles the brushwood, as fire causes water to boil--To make Thy name known to Thine adversaries,

This type of revival is already occurring around this nation and around the world but we need to experience it here. Thank Him for what He is doing other places and believe that He will visit us here. Pray for a great outpouring of His Holy Spirit upon our area. Pray that God would “unite the body of Christ” in reality and not just doctrinally. Jesus is our example in JOHN 17:20] "I do not ask in behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; [21] that they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me. [22] "And the glory which Thou hast given Me I have given to them; that they may be one, just as We are one; [23] I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, that the world may know that Thou didst send Me, and didst love them, even as Thou didst love Me. MATH 12:25] And knowing their thoughts He said to them, "Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself shall not stand.

Break generational curses by confessing the sins and shallowness of the church today and the sins of our forefathers. NEH 1:6] let Thine ear now be attentive and Thine eyes open to hear the prayer of Thy servant which I am praying before Thee now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Thy servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have sinned against Thee; I and my father's house have sinned. [7] "We have acted very corruptly against Thee and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances which Thou didst command Thy servant Moses.

Pray for leaders; that God would grant repentance. For both spiritual and secular leaders. Pray that the Word of God be exalted to it’s rightful place in the church and in this land. Pray that God would give revelation that the Christian life is a life of obedience. Pray that God would raise up that leaders that are worthy and that people are excited to follow. Pray that God would expose the phonies and reveal those after His own heart. Pray that God would rebuild the leaders that have been hurt, wounded, discouraged and attacked. Pray that God would rebuild those who have been abused by false leaders. COL 1:9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, [10] so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; [11] strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously [12] giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

James 4:6] But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." Leadership burdens will always be with us but; MATH 11 :28] "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. [29] "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. [30] "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light."

Pray for abusive leaders; That God would discipline, humiliate, expose, correct and restore before the judgement day. Pray for the fear of God to fall upon abusive leaders. Pray that God would shout from the house tops the immoral things done in secret. Pray that those who are veering from the path of truth through distortion and overemphasis that God would open their eyes.

Pray that God would ; reveal that His plan is to move in this whole area and not just in one church. Pray for unity of purpose. Pray that God would build up His body and not just one congregation and that revival would move outside the church. Pray that God would anoint with eye salve to heal sick eyes with limited or narrow vision. Pray that God would destroy personal ambition and politics in the pulpit and purify their motives to exhibit only a passion for God’s glory to be seen.

Pray for the increase of the flow of God’s river of truth and love; Truth without love is empty while love without truth is powerless to direct. Pray that God’s truth will reveal that those in the pulpit must have the humility to recognize that they are only one of many ministers in the assembly and each has their own grace. Pray that God would make the current leader [s] a unifier of all the ministries that the abundance of God’s grace would flow to the whole assembly.

Pray that God would give preachers understanding that salvation is of God and not man. MATH 19:25] And when the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, "Then who can be saved?" [26] And looking upon them Jesus said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Pray for the souls that have never heard the gospel. That God would raise up laborers for the harvest. Remind God that the end time is “the harvest” and we are ready and willing to go into the field to labor. Ask God to raise up visionaries who will seek God for the method of reaching the lost “down and outers” and the lost “up and outers”.

[1] Supreme in absolute authority [2] timeless in existence [3] absolute in His sovereignty [4] The Original of Creation [5] Omnipotent , limitless in power [6] terrible in wrath [7] Majestic in splendor [8] Awesome in Holiness [9] Infinite in wisdom [10] Omniscience , all knowing [11] Unsearchable in His ways [12] dazzling in His beauty [13] Unfathomable in the depth of His love [14] Inconceivable in His humility [15] decisive in justice [16] No limit to His mercy [17] unfathomable grace. [18] He is omnipresent, everywhere at the same time because He is “The Spirit”.


	PRAYER GUIDE FOR COMMUNITY PRAYER One of the most frequent excuses for prayer-less-ness is “I don’t know what to pray for”. The habit of selfish and self-centered prayer has generally been ineffective. Praying for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is being done in heaven is correct but misunderstood. Prayer topics can be helpful but if used mechanically can also be ineffective. We must sense the direction of the Holy Spirit in each prayer session to be effective. Still a guide is really helpful to get started. Be alert for revelations and special understandings during prayer and begin to move in that direction and then be led by the Holy Spirit. Some use the prayer closet doctrine as an excuse for not praying corporately and publicly but a simple study of scripture will show that is not the only way to pray. “Two or more” prayer is valid and effective. “When you come together” is certainly valid prayer. Certain things will hinder prayers; HEB 12:15] See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; MARK 11:25] "And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your transgressions. [26] ["But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions." 1PET 3:7 You husbands likewise, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and grant her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. Prayer should search me; PSA 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; [24] And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way. Prayer should; [1] Change me [2] Reveal motives and intentions of my heart [3] reveal the heart of God [4] bring spiritual unity with others [5] allow the Holy Spirit to move through me on behalf of others [6] release spiritual authority [7] conflict with powers of darkness [8] cause a release of new faith [9] promote intimacy with God [10] ascend to higher worship and praise. Expect Divine revelations. JER 33:3] `Call to Me, and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.' DAN 2:28] "However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known-------. This is basis of Holy Spirit led prayer. Example; Praying for someone in crisis at a particular time. LUK 22:31 "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; [32] but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; Pray for enemies; MAT 5:44] "But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you [45] in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Humble ourselves first; ISA 6:2 "But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word. 1 PET 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, [7] casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. Prayer for the unconverted and the back-slider. 1 JOHN 5:19----and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 1 JOHN 3:8] the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Wrestling in prayer is spiritual warfare consisting of many battles. If someone wins then someone has to lose! Overcomers win! Pray for the fear of God to immerse them. PROV. 16:6 And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil. [7] When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Pray for the entrance of the Word of God. PSA 119:130] The unfolding [entrance] of Thy words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. PS 119:105 Thy word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path. Many have heard much preaching and hardened their heart to any more doctrines. Only the Word of God can pierce the heart. ! Kings 18:37] "Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that Thou, O LORD, art God, and that Thou hast turned their heart back again." Pray for the youth of this generation. LAM 2:11 My eyes fail because of tears, My spirit is greatly troubled; My heart is poured out on the earth, Because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, When little ones and infants faint In the streets of the city. The youth have a distorted and perverted view of God because of the ignorance of parents. The actions of parents teach that God is unimportant and this life is all there is. Pray that God will give direct understanding and raise up leaders today for the next generation. Expect weakness in prayer until the Holy Spirit works. ROM 8:26 And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; [27] and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. First be filled with the Spirit through praise, worship, thanksgiving, humility, forgiveness and by exercising FAITH that God IS filling you now. MIC 7:7 But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me. Let faith increase your vision. 1 CHRO 4:10] Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that Thou wouldst bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that Thy hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldst keep me from harm, that it may not pain me!" And God granted him what he requested. Effective prayer increases the perimeter of our influence to cross barriers prohibited to us physically. “Go into all the world” is physically impossible to many but is made possible by prayer. PSA. 2:8] `Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Thine inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Thy possession. Pray for revival in our area. God demonstrated His desire for this area when He sent the first missionaries here 230 years ago. PSA 85:6] Wilt Thou not Thyself revive us again, That Thy people may rejoice in Thee? [7] Show us Thy lovingkindness, O LORD, And grant us Thy salvation. Pray for God’s manifested presence. ISA 64:1 Oh, that Thou wouldst rend the heavens and come down, That the mountains might quake at Thy presence-- [2] As fire kindles the brushwood, as fire causes water to boil--To make Thy name known to Thine adversaries, That the nations may tremble at Thy presence! [3] When Thou didst awesome things which we did not expect, Thou didst come down, the mountains quaked at Thy presence. This type of revival is already occurring around this nation and around the world but we need to experience it here. Thank Him for what He is doing other places and believe that He will visit us here. Pray for a great outpouring of His Holy Spirit upon our area. Pray that God would “unite the body of Christ” in reality and not just doctrinally. Jesus is our example in JOHN 17:20] "I do not ask in behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; [21] that they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me. [22] "And the glory which Thou hast given Me I have given to them; that they may be one, just as We are one; [23] I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, that the world may know that Thou didst send Me, and didst love them, even as Thou didst love Me. MATH 12:25] And knowing their thoughts He said to them, "Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself shall not stand. Break generational curses by confessing the sins and shallowness of the church today and the sins of our forefathers. NEH 1:6] let Thine ear now be attentive and Thine eyes open to hear the prayer of Thy servant which I am praying before Thee now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Thy servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have sinned against Thee; I and my father's house have sinned. [7] "We have acted very corruptly against Thee and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances which Thou didst command Thy servant Moses. Pray for leaders; that God would grant repentance. For both spiritual and secular leaders. Pray that the Word of God be exalted to it’s rightful place in the church and in this land. Pray that God would give revelation that the Christian life is a life of obedience. Pray that God would raise up that leaders that are worthy and that people are excited to follow. Pray that God would expose the phonies and reveal those after His own heart. Pray that God would rebuild the leaders that have been hurt, wounded, discouraged and attacked. Pray that God would rebuild those who have been abused by false leaders. COL 1:9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, [10] so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; [11] strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously [12] giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Pray for leaders; that God would give revelation of eternity and God’s eternal purpose. That God would pour out grace for increased patience, mercy, love, humility and wisdom. James 4:6] But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." Leadership burdens will always be with us but; MATH 11 :28] "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. [29] "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. [30] "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light." Pray that leaders will get this revelation and come into the experience. Pray for abusive leaders; That God would discipline, humiliate, expose, correct and restore before the judgement day. Pray for the fear of God to fall upon abusive leaders. Pray that God would shout from the house tops the immoral things done in secret. Pray that those who are veering from the path of truth through distortion and overemphasis that God would open their eyes. Pray that God would ; reveal that His plan is to move in this whole area and not just in one church. Pray for unity of purpose. Pray that God would build up His body and not just one congregation and that revival would move outside the church. Pray that God would anoint with eye salve to heal sick eyes with limited or narrow vision. Pray that God would destroy personal ambition and politics in the pulpit and purify their motives to exhibit only a passion for God’s glory to be seen. Pray for the increase of the flow of God’s river of truth and love; Truth without love is empty while love without truth is powerless to direct. Pray that God’s truth will reveal that those in the pulpit must have the humility to recognize that they are only one of many ministers in the assembly and each has their own grace. Pray that God would make the current leader [s] a unifier of all the ministries that the abundance of God’s grace would flow to the whole assembly. Pray that God would give preachers understanding that salvation is of God and not man. MATH 19:25] And when the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, "Then who can be saved?" [26] And looking upon them Jesus said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Pray for the souls that have never heard the gospel. That God would raise up laborers for the harvest. Remind God that the end time is “the harvest” and we are ready and willing to go into the field to labor. Ask God to raise up visionaries who will seek God for the method of reaching the lost “down and outers” and the lost “up and outers”. Memorize Who God is: [1] Supreme in absolute authority [2] timeless in existence [3] absolute in His sovereignty [4] The Original of Creation [5] Omnipotent , limitless in power [6] terrible in wrath [7] Majestic in splendor [8] Awesome in Holiness [9] Infinite in wisdom [10] Omniscience , all knowing [11] Unsearchable in His ways [12] dazzling in His beauty [13] Unfathomable in the depth of His love [14] Inconceivable in His humility [15] decisive in justice [16] No limit to His mercy [17] unfathomable grace. [18] He is omnipresent, everywhere at the same time because He is “The Spirit”. Now memorize who the opposition is; A created being [angel] who has fallen who can only lie and deceive and which can manifest NONE of the above qualities.. He is “A spirit.”