“The promises that overflow our Bibles will overflow into our own lives only
as we appropriate them through prayer.”
Jim Cymbala, Breakthrough Prayer.

Father, today I come before You as Your child, confessing that what I do or don’t do is often more about outward appearance than inner transformation. In my heart, I know that “obeying the rules” has no power to save me from my sinful nature — it is only because of Jesus who became a sin offering for me, that I am saved. But often my obedience is out of duty, not delight.

Forgive me, Father, for the ways that I live as if I can ‘add to’ the work of Christ — as if His sacrifice for my sin was not enough. O God, forgive me. I confess that it is through Jesus that I have hope, and the forgiveness of sin and can now draw near to You. (Pause and allow the Holy Spirit to show you ways that you might be trying to ‘add to your salvation’)

Father, may my faith in You grow and mature and move beyond wanting to “get it right” - to truly knowing You and appropriating Your life in me. Push me forward and deeper, by Your Spirit, that I might leave the elementary teachings about who Jesus is, and go on to maturity in Him. May my relationship with You, and my trust in You alone, be strengthened. Shape me into Christ-likeness through the circumstances of life, for I choose to submit to Your loving discipline. (Pause and submit your present circumstances to your loving heavenly Father)

May my life be marked by brokenness and repentance before You, for my earnest desire is to love You more — with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength— that my outward actions and responses would be born out of intimacy with You, not out of fear of punishment or trying to earn Your favour! Help my frail heart, I pray. My heart longs for this, but I confess that it is prone to wander. Have mercy on me O Lord. (Pray further concerning the condition of your heart…)

Empower me by Your Spirit, to remain steadfast in my pursuit of You, may I choose to forget what is behind me and run towards You.

Even this day, I fix my eyes on Your face, Lord Jesus and I pray in Your great name.  Amen.

May we be increasingly aware of the cunning schemes of the evil one. May we be wise and aware every time we turn on our computers or TVs and as we walk the streets of Bangkok. May we truly hate all that is evil and run to, cling to, everything that is good! May our eyes be fixed on Jesus (2 Corinthians 2:11; 11:3; Hebrews 12:2; Romans 12:17)!

Father, I ask that we as Your people will increasingly choose to put off the old self, and be made new in the attitude of our minds – that we might be like You in righteousness and holiness. Increase our hunger for You (Ephesians 4:22–23)!

Father, I pray for all who will be participating in prayer and fasting tomorrow on behalf of our faith community. Strengthen my brothers and sisters to stand firm. Teach us as Your people, what it means to pray and never give up (Luke 18:1). May we become a people of prayer and great faith.

Holy Spirit, keep us from unwholesome talk, obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, but instead may we increasingly be those who build each other up as we speak to one another (Ephesians 4:29; 5:4).

Lord Jesus, as the disciples asked You, so do I this day, ‘Lord teach me to pray’. Teach me to pray and not give up, to press into You and pray for kingdom things! Teach the ECB community of faith these things – teach us how to pray! This day, Holy Spirit, strengthen my brothers and sisters to pray and fast, and use us to remove the obstacles out of the way of Your people–everything that keeps us from following hard after You (Luke 11:1; Isaiah 57:14)!

Anoint and strengthen our pastors, that they might serve with joy and great encouragement by the Holy Spirit.

Grow and strengthen our LIFE Groups, Father – unify us by the Spirit, as we gather this week in homes across the city. Grow each group to the point of multiplying that the blessing of community might spread (Pray for your LIFE Group and LIFE Group leader by name…).

Father, I ask that You give to us as Your people, the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that we might know You better! Open the eyes of our hearts Father (Ephesians 1:17-18)! (Pray this for those you know, by name)

Father, I praise Your holy name, and I confess that the kingdom and the power and the glory are Yours alone! The earth is Yours and all who live in it! – You are the One True God, creator of all things, and I will worship no other. May You alone be worshiped and adored by Your people (2 Chronicles 29:10–13; Isaiah 40:28; Psalm 24:1)!

Father, You have said that friendship with the world is hatred towards You (James 4:4). Teach us by Your Spirit, the balance of living in the world, but not belonging to the world. (John 15:19) Keep our hearts from the love of the things of this world (1 John 2:15) (Pause and pray for those you know of by name from ECB, that they will have hearts that long for Jesus above all else).

Strengthen us by the Holy Spirit, to live as children of light, I pray. May the fruit of the light of Your presence – goodness, righteousness and truth, be increasingly evident in our lives (Ephesians 5:8–9)!

Keep us from complaining Father, but instead may we become a people who learn the discipline of giving thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18) (Pause and thank God for all that you see Him doing among our community of faith).

Thank You Father, for Your great love for us, for making us alive with Christ, for raising us up with Him in heavenly realms! Thank You, for the new identity that we have because of Him. May we as Your people walk in His authority (Ephesians 1:19–23; 2:5–6).

I pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ at ECB, those who are being tempted to turn from You and give into sin, strengthen them to stand firm! Make us to be strong in You and Your mighty power I pray (1 Corinthians 10:13; Ephesians 6:10) (Pray for those you know of by name who are in the midst of trials and temptations…)!

May we become the kind of worshipers that You are seeking – those who worship in spirit and in truth. May we enter into the ECB worship centre tomorrow with thanksgiving and praise! May the name of Jesus be exalted – and our hearts drawn to You (John 4:23; Psalm 100).

As we gather Sunday, be the wall of fire around us and the glory within us, I pray! May glorious praise, thanksgiving and worship be unleashed among us, and Your name and Your word exalted (Zechariah 2:5; Psalm 138:2)!

It is written, Lord, that Your Word is like fire and like a hammer that breaks rock to pieces – may it be so among us! Destroy the hard places of our hearts with the power of Your Word (Jeremiah 23:29)!

Give Your Church ears to hear what You would say to us and willing hearts that obey (Revelation 2:29, Psalm 51:12).