PRAYER GUIDE

Week of PrayerSeptember 7-12, 2014

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church

INTRODUCTION

John Wesley, one of the founders of Methodism, said, “God does nothing but in answer to prayer.” Indeed, prayer is our primary pathway of relationship to God.

Throughout Church history and into present day, authors have penned myriad books about prayer. We will not recount all that wisdom here, but Christians through the ages have found again and again that prayer makes a difference. Prayer changes things.

The United Methodist News Service recently published an article that attempted to condense the insights of spiritual sages, teachers, and everyday believers into ten tips about prayer. They are as follows:

1. You are worthy. Do not feel guilty about the quality of your prayer life, or fall victim to doubts and despair about your worthiness to talk to God. Remember John Wesley's words: "In Christ we gain more than in Adam we lost."

2. The more you pray, the richer your prayers become. Like anything in life, to become good at prayer you must be disciplined. Just as running is an exercise in physical fitness, prayer is a spiritual discipline.

3. Prayer is active. Prayer involves action; namely being attentive to God's voice in your life. Listening for God means stopping and sitting still. It means paying attention to what God may be saying to you at any point in your life.

4. Prayer should not be an afterthought. Prayer was the backbone of Jesus' ministry. Often, he broke away from his disciples to spend time with God. In the same way, prayer is essential to individual lives and to the life of the church. Break away from your daily routine for quiet time in prayer.

5. Surround yourself with people who are seasoned at praying. People who've established prayer routines have much to teach those wanting to draw closer to God. Seek out those who can help guide and encourage your prayer life.

6. God doesn't require eloquence. Don't worry if you fumble for words when you pray. God is not looking for Toastmaster's graduates, but sincerity. If the words won't come, God still knows what's in your heart. Lift up that desire.

7. Prayer need not involve words. The great Christian saints all write of prayer as a time of sitting quietly with God. Jesus even went off for forty days of prayerful solitude.

8. Prayer is a time for conversation with a friend: God. Whether you see that friend routinely or just every once in awhile, know that whenever you turn to God, you're turning to someone who loves you.

9. Ask God for help if you get stuck. Maybe you've hit a dry spell. There's no shame in asking God to guide you to pray in a new way.

10. The three Ls of prayer: Listen, listen, listen. Listening for God is central to prayer, according to the great saints. It's so critical that St. Benedict began his famous Rule with this command for monks: "Listen with the ear of your heart."

While we all know that we should pray, the truth of the matter is that we do not intentionally make space for prayer. That is what this week of prayer is all about: intentionally making space for prayer.

The sanctuary here at St. Paul’s will be open each day this week, Monday through Friday, from 7 am-7 pm. Stop in for prayer as your schedule allows – whether for ten minutes, thirty minutes, or an hour. Speak to God. Listen to God. Create space in your life for God to work through you and in you.

Of course, you don’t have to come to the church to pray. You can pray anywhere, but everyone connected to the St. Paul’s community is asked to make a concerted effort to pray and to seek God’s face during this week.

May this week be only the beginning. God is calling us into relationship with him, and that relationship is cultivated through prayer.

In this guide, you’ll find materials for daily prayer and meditation. The daily helps are clustered under daily themes that align with the prayer emphasis for each day. Please feel free to adapt these resources to what works best for you. Under each day, you will find the following:

Invocation. A call to enter into the presence of God in faith that God is waiting to meet with us.

Psalm. The Psalms are an ancient prayer book that speaks to our needs and experiences. Make the Psalm your personal prayer – pray the Psalm.

Scripture Reading. The daily scripture reading is intended to support that day’s theme. Prayerfully ponder the passage; meditate upon it.

Prayers. This is a time for you to talk to God in your own way. The time set apart for “prayers” may include adoration, confession, and praying for yourself, but we are especially focused on intercession (praying for others) this week. Each day will include recommendations for prayer concerns that relate to the daily prayer emphasis. These recommendations are not exhaustive; please feel free to add other concerns.

If you are medically able, you may want to consider fasting along with your prayer. Fasting involves the act of giving up something that is important to us in order that we may use the time normally given to that thing for prayer. Fasting helps us shut the door of our inner selves to the outside attractions which crowd in and dissipate our prayer time and energies.

Reflection. We encourage you to take time to reflect on the words, thoughts, and emotions you have experienced.

You might also like to keep a journal of your prayer journey this week. A journal can serve as a “travel log” and “road map” to help you recall and reflect on where you have been and where you are going.

Hymn. One hymn related to the stated emphasis is included for each day. Pray the hymn.

Benediction. A benediction is included to prayerfully conclude your concerted time of prayer, but remember that we can be in an attitude of prayer and conversation with God at all times and all places.

This guide is prayerfully offered to you with the desire that it will assist you in your walk with God as we, the St. Paul’s Church family, together seek God the Father through his Son Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7:A SERVICE OF HEALING

Our Week of Prayer will begin with a

Service of Healing at 7:00 PM on Sunday, September 7, in the Sanctuary. The purpose of the service is to offer prayers for wholeness of body, mind, and spirit.

The New Testament records that Jesus himself healed the estranged and sick and sent out his disciples on ministries of healing. James 5 calls us also to pray for and anoint the sick that they may be healed.

We encourage you to come to the service to pray for others, to have the community pray for your special needs or the needs of loved ones, and to pray for hurt and brokenness in the community and world. The service is open to the entire community, so please invite anyone you know who is in need of prayer for spiritual, physical, relational, emotional, or any other type of healing.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8:PRAY FOR OUR WORLD

I. Invocation:God, you so loved the world that you sent your only Son in order to save it. Hasten the day when all of your people may know the joy, peace, and harmony of your kingdom. Grant unto me this day the power to live within your kingdom. In the name of Christ. Amen.

II. Psalm 46:To the leader. Of the Korahites. According to Alamoth. A Song.God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,

though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.

God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns.

The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth.

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.

‘Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.’

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

III. Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:9-13‘Pray then in this way:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.’

IV. Prayers: All who have woken up today to violence, unrest, and

injustice. The continuing armed conflicts and instability in Syria,

the Ukraine, Pakistan, Iraq, and Gaza… The horrors of ethnic cleansing caused by the Islamist

State in Iraq. Be among the children as they starve and women as they are sold and the dead as they are buried under rocks. Be among the victims of exile: Shabaks, Turkmens, Yazidis, Christians, Shiites, and Sunnis.

Those combatting the Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia

Our planet and the universe – that we would be good stewards.

The countless millions who are victims of human trafficking throughout the world

World leaders The Healing of the nations Peace in our world Victims of natural disasters throughout the world. 5 million refugees in Colombia, South America, as well

as the Middle East, Somalia, Sudan, Central Africa and elsewhere.

Haiti, where almost 280,000 remain in camps after the 2011 earthquake and another 200,000 are living with host families or in informal settlements

Those in poverty Just economies, tax, and trade Those affected by HIV and AIDS Human rights abuses

V. Reflection

VI. Hymn: “For the Healing of the Nations” For the healing of the nations,

Lord, we pray with one accord,for a just and equal sharingof the things that earth affords.To a life of love in actionhelp us rise and pledge our word.

Lead us forward into freedom,from despair your world release,that, redeemed from war and hatred,all may come and go in peace.Show us how through care and goodnessfear will die and hope increase.

All that kills abundant living,let it from the earth be banned:pride of status, race or schooling,dogmas that obscure your plan.In our common quest for justicemay we hallow brief life’s span.

You, Creator God, have writtenyour great name on humankind;for our growing in your likenessbring the life of Christ to mind;that by our response and serviceearth its destiny may find.

Words: Fred Kaan (UMH #428)© 1968 In US & Canada: Hope Publishing Company, www.hopepublishing.com

VII. Benediction:Go forth to serve in the strength, love, and presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9:PRAY FOR OUR NATION

I. Invocation:Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to me and all the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

II. Psalm 33:Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous.

Praise befits the upright.Praise the Lord with the lyre;

make melody to him with the harp of ten strings.Sing to him a new song;

play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.For the word of the Lord is upright,

and all his work is done in faithfulness.He loves righteousness and justice;

the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,

and all their host by the breath of his mouth.He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle;

he put the deeps in storehouses.Let all the earth fear the Lord;

let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.For he spoke, and it came to be;

he commanded, and it stood firm.The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;

he frustrates the plans of the peoples.The counsel of the Lord stands forever,

the thoughts of his heart to all generations.Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord,

the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all humankind.

From where he sits enthroned he watches all the inhabitants of the earth—

he who fashions the hearts of them all, and observes all their deeds.

A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.

The war horse is a vain hope for victory,

and by its great might it cannot save.Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,

on those who hope in his steadfast love,to deliver their soul from death,

and to keep them alive in famine.Our soul waits for the Lord;

he is our help and shield.Our heart is glad in him,

because we trust in his holy name.Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,

even as we hope in you.

III. Scripture Reading: Revelation 15:2-4And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb:

‘Great and amazing are your deeds, Lord God the Almighty!

Just and true are your ways,King of the nations!

Lord, who will not fearand glorify your name?

For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you,

for your judgments have been revealed.’

IV. Prayers: President Barack Obama and his administration Legislators Court Systems Policies and laws that promote the worth of human life. Wisdom in handling tensions with the Islamic State

militant group, Russia, and others Racial reconciliation Deliverance from sins of affluence, pride, materialism. Education Safety in schools and other public places Immigration Health Care Poverty Economic justice The unemployed and underemployed Military/Armed Forces The states and their leaders (governors, legislators, etc.)

V. Reflection

VI. Hymn: “This Is My Song” This is my song, O God of all the nations,a song of peace for lands afar and mine;this is my home, the country where my heart is;here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine:but other hearts in other lands are beatingwith hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.

My country's skies are bluer than the ocean,and sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine;but other lands have sunlight too, and clover,and skies are everywhere as blue as mine:O hear my song, thou God of all the nations,a song of peace for their land and for mine.

This is my song, O God of all the nations,a prayer that peace transcends in every place;and yet I pray for my beloved country – the reassurance of continued grace:Lord, help us find our one-ness in the Savior,in spite of differences of age and race.

This is my prayer, O Lord of all earth's kingdoms,thy kingdom come, on earth, thy will be done;let Christ be lifted up 'til all shall serve him,and hearts united, learn to live as one:O hear my prayer, thou God of all the nations,myself I give thee – let thy will be done.

Words: Lloyd Stone and Georgia Harkness (UMH #437)© 1934, 1962 Lorenz Publishing Co.

VII. Benediction:Lord, allow me, your servant, to go in peace. I have experienced your salvation which you have prepared for everyone. Uphold me as I seek to serve in your name. Amen.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10:PRAY FOR OUR COMMUNITY

I. Invocation:Lord God, through your grace we are your people: through your Son you have redeemed us; in your Spirit you have made us your own. We pray for this local community and for all people in their daily life and work. We give thanks that you have placed us here to show your love. Amen.

II. Psalm 48:A Song. A Psalm of the Korahites.Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised

in the city of our God.His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation,

is the joy of all the earth,Mount Zion, in the far north,

the city of the great King. Within its citadels God

has shown himself a sure defense. Then the kings assembled,

they came on together. As soon as they saw it, they were astounded;

they were in panic, they took to flight; trembling took hold of them there,

pains as of a woman in labor, as when an east wind shatters the ships of Tarshish.

As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts,

in the city of our God, which God establishes for ever. Selah

We ponder your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple.

Your name, O God, like your praise, reaches to the ends of the earth.

Your right hand is filled with victory. Let Mount Zion be glad,

let the towns of Judah rejoice because of your judgments.

Walk about Zion, go all around it, count its towers,

consider well its ramparts; go through its citadels,

that you may tell the next generation that this is God,

our God for ever and ever. He will be our guide for ever.

III. Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 29:4-14Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let the prophets and the diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, says the Lord. For thus says the Lord: Only when Babylon’s seventy years are completed will I visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

IV. Prayers: Oakland and nearby communities Mayor and Town Councils/Municipal official Garrett County and neighboring county governments Local Police and Sheriff’s Departments Firefighters and rescue personnel Schools: teachers, support staff, and administrators Students Economic life of the community: businesses, industry,

agriculture Local unemployed and underemployed individuals The poor Widows and orphans Prisoners The ill, both mentally and physically Disabled individuals

Local families and children Single parents Single adults Local non-profit organizations

V. Reflection

VI. Hymn: “The Son of God, our Christ, the Way” The Son of God, our Christ, the Word, the Way,Shared human life and toiled throughout the day;From common folk he called his friends to beCo-workers in his sacred ministry.

In ev'ry test, in trials manifold,These servants witnessed, by their faith made bold;And with the gifts and talents which they brought,The Church was founded and God's message taught.

Today, as then, Christ summons us to dareTo follow boldly and his work to share,Declaring to the world his holy nameAnd showing mercy to the sick and lame.

In city street, in town, or on the soil,May each serve Christ in faithful daily toil,And in each thought and kindly word and deed,Obey Christ's call and go where he shall lead.

Where'er we find our witness should be made,Whate'er our task, the Lord will be our aid,And we will gladly give for him our bestAnd find each task divinely sent and blessed.

Words: Edward M. Blumenfeld© 1956 Renewal 1984 by The Hymn Society, admin. by Hope Publishing.

VII. Benediction:As Jesus went about all the cities and villages proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, let us go forth in the power of the Spirit to proclaim the good news of the kingdom in our time and place. Amen.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11:PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH

I. Invocation:Almighty and ever-living God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for our church family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

II. Psalm 84:To the leader: according to The Gittith. Of the Korahites. A

Psalm.How lovely is your dwelling place,

O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, indeed it faints

for the courts of the Lord;my heart and my flesh sing for joy

to the living God.

Even the sparrow finds a home,and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young,

at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Happy are those who live in your house,

ever singing your praise. Selah

Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.

As they go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.

They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion.

O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah

Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed.

For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of wickedness.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield;

he bestows favor and honor.No good thing does the Lord withhold

from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts,

happy is everyone who trusts in you.

III. Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:15-29Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him— provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel.

I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. I became its servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil and struggle with all the energy that he powerfully inspires within me.

IV. Prayers: Our Church Family Discipleship and Outreach Sunday school and Bible study programs Healing and growth of our relationships Unity Pastor and Church leaders Children Homebound The United Methodist Church (UMC) Missionaries serving around the world The Church Universal The Persecuted Church UMC four areas of focus: improving global health,

ministering with the poor, developing leaders, and growing vital churches

The West Virginia Annual Conference Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball District Superintendent Michael Estep Women’s and Men’s Ministries Stewardship Openness to the Holy Spirit’s leading Vitality in worship Faithful witness

V. Reflection

VI. Hymn: “We Are God’s People” We are God's people, the chosen of the Lord, Born of His Spirit, established by His Word; Our cornerstone is Christ alone, and strong in Him we stand: O let us live transparently And walk heart to heart and hand in hand.

We are God’s loved ones, the Bride of Christ our Lord, For we have known it, the love of God outpoured; Now let us learn how to return the gift of love once given: O let us share each joy and care, And live with a zeal that pleases Heaven.

We are the Body of which the Lord is Head,

Called to obey Him, now risen from the dead; He wills us be a family, diverse yet truly one: O let us give our gifts to God, And so shall his work on earth be done.

We are a temple, the Spirit’s dwelling place, Formed in great weakness, a cup to hold God’s grace; We die alone, for on its own each ember loses fire: Yet joined in one the flame burns on To give warmth and light, and to inspire.

Words: Bryan Jeffery Leech (TFWS #2220)© 1976 Fred Bock Music Co.

VII. Benediction:You have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. Go forth empowered and equipped by the Spirit to be Christ’s body, doing Christ’s work in the world. Amen.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12:

PRAY FOR THE SPIRITUALLY LOST

I. Invocation:O God of all the nations of the earth: Remember the multitudes who have been created in your image but have not known the redeeming work of our Savior Jesus Christ; and grant that, by the prayers and labors of your holy Church, they may be brought to know and worship you as you have been revealed in your Son; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

II. Psalm 67:To the leader: with stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song.May God be gracious to us and bless us

and make his face to shine upon us, Selah that your way may be known upon earth,

your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God;

let all the peoples praise you. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,

for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah

Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.

The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us.

May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him.

III. Scripture Reading: Acts 1:6-8So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

IV. Prayers: Family members: pray for those whom you love and care

deeply to turn to God for salvation.

Neighbors: pray for those with whom you have regular contact to seek and find God.

The community Our church: pray that we will reach out to, welcome, and

disciple the lost with open arms Global missions Unreached people groups Empowerment to share our faith

V. Reflection

VI. Hymn: “Rescue the Perishing” Rescue the perishing, Care for the dying,Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave.Weep o'er the erring one, Lift up the fallen,Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.

Rescue the perishing, Care for the dying;Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save!

Though they are slighting Him, Still He is waiting,Waiting the penitent child to receive.Plead with them earnestly, Plead with them gently,He will forgive if they only believe.

Down in the human heart, Crushed by the tempter,Feelings lie buried that grace can restore.Touched by a loving heart, Wakened by kindness,Chords that are broken will vibrate once more.

Rescue the perishing, Duty demands it; Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide.Back to the narrow way Patiently win them,Tell the poor wand'rer a Savior has died.

Words: Fanny J. Crosby (UMH #591)

VII. Benediction:Gracious and loving God, send us into the world to do the work you invite us to be a part of: to find the lost and lonely, to heal broken souls, to free prisoners, and to proclaim your truth in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.