Pray First

We are going to try something new in our corporate church prayer. At the beginning of the month, in the newsletter, we will post a suggestion about things to pray about in that month. 

This is different from your personal prayer time. This does not have to be formal or belabored. You can pray in your vehicle or while getting dressed for work or ready for bed. You can pray down on your knees or while walking around the block. You can pray many small prayers or one more extended prayer. It's up to you, but as a church, we want to pray individually and corporately. 

This month's theme will be thankfulness.

Living a life of intentional thankfulness changes the patterns in our brains. It benefits our physical and spiritual health in many ways, so it is appropriate that we focus on giving thanks this month in our corporate prayers.

Suggested outline

Week One:  Focus on your thankfulness to God because of who He is and what He has done for you. Clean air, fresh water, the beauty of nature, our country, our state, our town. Reflect on why you are thankful.

Week Two:  Focus on the people you are thankful for. This can range from governmental figures to work colleagues to church family to personal friends and family. Express why you are grateful for each and how they enrich your life.

Week Three: Focus on being thankful for your circumstances, for example, your housing situation, job, food on the table, transportation, your finances, your pets, etc…

Week Four: Focus on what you are thankful for about yourself: your health, your talents, your gifts, and your opportunities. This is an opportunity to not only give thanks but ask God, like Jabez did, to expand your borders, grow your gifts, and help you to be a good steward.

Philippians 4:6-7  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."