Prayer Guide – For Dallas and Beyond
Prayer Guide – For Dallas and Beyond
God, Help Us to Mourn.
Matthew 5:4 (NIV)
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Romans 12:15 (NIV)
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Lord Jesus, you bless those who live in solidarity with the hurting, the broken, and the victims of suffering and injustice. You most gloriously entered into our pain on the cross. Help us to weep and mourn with those who are grieving.
God, Help Us to Pray.
Romans 8:26-27 (NIV)
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV)
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Lord Jesus, the brokenness in our world overwhelms us. So often, it is hard to know how to pray. We rejoice that your Holy Spirit prays with us, and straightens out our feeble prayers. With this in mind, we lift up our brothers and sisters who are grieving especially in this season – the friends and family members of all victims, those in the African American community, those in the Law Enforcement community, and so many others. We also pray for every level of our federal, state, and local governments – for wisdom and courage and steady leadership in a time of turmoil.
God, Help Us to Humble Ourselves.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Proverbs 10:17 (NIV)
Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
Lord Jesus, time and again in Scripture we see a direct correlation between a people’s prayerful humility and national healing. We are deeply concerned for the state of our union, and we pray for revival and for national turning to you.
God, Help Us to Speak Graciously and Truthfully.
John 1:14 (NIV)
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Ephesians 4:15 (NIV)
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV)
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Lord Jesus, this is a time of such hurtful and hateful speech. Help us to speak graciously, truthfully, gently, and boldly.
God, Help Us to Serve.
Galatians 5:6b (NIV)
…The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
2 Corinthians 4:5 (NIV)
For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Lord Jesus, thank you for calling us to be your Body in this world. Forgive us when we fail to live up to your ideals. Empower us to be a people who serve others faithfully, and who demonstrate a supernatural unity in Christ that surpasses race, class, gender, and all other divisions that tear at the fabric of our society. Put us on the front lines in our community to demonstrate your compassion. We also lift up other churches in our community, including our sister church Cornerstone Baptist.
Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy. AMEN
Special thanks to Pastor Larry Parsley and the Valley Ranch Baptist Church, Coppell, TX 75019 for their preparation of this prayer guide. www.vrbc.net
