Start the New Year with Jesus “PRAYER”

When you pray… Is God your: Foe Fireman Father

Philippians 4:6-9 (NLT) Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

John 15:7-8 (NLT) But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

Matthew 6:5-8 (NLT) “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!”

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NLT) I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Saviour, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

Focus for prayer

Knowing about Jesus Talking about Jesus Encountering Jesus

1. Knowing about Jesus ‘Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered: “You are the Messiah.” Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him’ (Mark 8:27-30).

In the Talking Jesus survey we asked people ‘Which of the following best describes your understanding of Jesus Christ?’ They replied: He was a real person who actually lived – 60% He is a mythical or fictional character – 22% Don’t know – 18%

Pray For schools, that the truth about Jesus will be taught clearly That the 60% who believe Jesus lived, might come to know him personally For the 18% of people who haven’t made up their mind – may they discover who Jesus is for themselves

We asked English adults which, if any, of the following statements reflect your beliefs about Jesus Christ? They replied: A normal human being – 17% God in human form who lived among people in the first century – 21% A prophet or spiritual leader, not God – 30% Don’t know – 9% Other – 2%

Pray We give thanks for all that Jesus has done for every person through the cross and resurrection. Loving Lord Jesus, we ask for: forgiveness for the times when we have not reached out with your compassion your love to direct all of our relationships and conversations so that many will understand the implications of the resurrection for their lives our church to become more and more a place where people of all ages discover your love

Loving Lord Jesus, we thank you that millions in this country are open to you and have Christian friends and family members. We pray that these relationships will be fruitful and that many will come to know you through the lives of your people.

2. Talking about Jesus ‘Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age”’ (Matthew 28:16-20).

Pray We give thanks for all who have helped us on our own journey of faith. Jesus, Lord of life, we ask for: a new confidence to offer to pray, bringing light, life and healing to those we meet a new boldness to talk about the difference Jesus has made in our lives help so we will make time to stop and create space for conversations to happen

Jesus - you are Lord of every part of our lives. Our friends and family need your deep love, grace and forgiveness. We pray that we will be effective instruments for you and that the good news of Jesus will be revealed to tens of thousands of people across every age group and background.

3. Encountering Jesus ‘Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here – has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God’ (Acts 9:17-20).

Pray We give thanks for the gift of the Holy Spirit who gives us all we need to follow Jesus and share him with others. Risen Jesus: We ask you to fill us afresh with your Holy Spirit and guide us in how we talk and share about you We ask you to help us identify those to pray for this year – for example a friend, a family member, an acquaintance, a colleague, a neighbour – and so to help them encounter Jesus We ask that every Christian and every church across our nation will become more active in evangelism

Lord, give me the confidence and love to share my story, to offer the gift of prayer, and to be salt and light in the places where you have put me.

Almighty, gracious, glorious God we thank you for your love, mercy and forgiveness. We are humbled by your constant, faithful love. At the start of a new year, we pray for a new spiritual season. Thank you that your extravagant love means that there is no one so broken they can’t be healed. No one is so lost they can’t be found. No one is so damaged they can’t be restored. There’s no one who has wandered so far that they can’t be brought home.

Lord, your love pursues us. You are never resting, always searching. You leave the 99 to find the one. You came to seek and save the lost. And when you find them all heaven rejoices. We thank you, Lord, that your love is not found in empty clichés. Your love is shown in the giving of your life for us. Your life, death and resurrection have opened a way for us to become the children of God.

We know that the good news of Jesus is the power of God to change lives. We ask that your Church may have a new boldness in sharing that news. Fill us with your Holy Spirit. Give us compassion for the lost. Give us confidence in the good news. Help us to pray with passion, live with love and speak with boldness. Make us a people of faith.

Grant your favour upon us and thrust us out into every village, town and city. We pray that lives will be changed and heaven will celebrate as sinful, broken people find a forgiving, loving God. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy.