Great Prayers of the Bible
Summer 2018
Prayer as Mission: The Early Church
August 19, 2018 • Matt Erickson
The early church spent a lot of time in prayer. Prayer was the fuel and guide for their outward mission in Jerusalem, Judea, and the further parts of the known world. Looking at their examples of prayer throughout Acts, we can learn how to let prayer shape our life on mission as a church.
Prayer in Weakness: a Father of an Afflicted Boy
August 12, 2018 • Will Branch
Throughout his ministry, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray. It is in the midst of an ordinary exchange with an ordinary father, however, that we learn what it looks like to come to God in total weakness to find Him more than sufficient in Mark 9:22-25.
Prayer of Dedication: Nehemiah
July 29, 2018 • Matt Erickson
After the exile of God’s people from the Promised Land to Canaan, God raises up Nehemiah as a great leader to establish the people back in their land. What we often forget is that Nehemiah’s great leadership began in prayer. All of us may not feel we are leaders, but all of us can be used by God wherever we are. The key to that work of God in and through us comes by dedicating ourselves to Him in prayer.
Prayer of Renewal: Daniel
July 22, 2018 • Pastor Mike from Kettlebrook
Daniel lives in exile in the land of Babylon. He serves in the upper echelons of society while also maintaining his faith through regular prayer. In Daniel 9:3-19, in the midst of his regular prayer, he offers one of the most powerful expressions of corporate repentance and renewal in the entire Bible.
Prayer of Dependence: Habakkuk
July 15, 2018 • Matt & Kelly Erickson
The prophet Habakkuk concludes his bleak book with a powerful and rich declaration of faith in the face of pending suffering in Habakkuk 3:1-21. Regardless of our circumstances, how might we learn to be people of faith through prayer like Habakkuk?
Prayer for Deliverance: Hezekiah
July 8, 2018 • Matt Erickson
King Hezekiah faces tremendous threats at the hands of the Assyrian armies. In this dire situation, Hezekiah turns to God with a prayer for deliverance in 2 Kings 19:14-20; 20:1-7. When we face pressures, how might Hezekiah’s example help us, whether individually or corporately, turn to God for deliverance?
Prayer that Listens: Elijah
July 1, 2018 • Matt Erickson
Elijah’s wonderful victory over the prophets of Baal turns into a fearful flight for his life. Running to the mountain of God, Elijah has a powerful encounter with God that transforms him. He speaks and listens, and is sent out by God renewed in 1 Kings 19:1-18.
Prayer of Repentance: David
June 24, 2018 • Femi Ibitoye
David’s adultery with Bathsheba leads to a rebuke from the prophet Nathan. David, this ‘man after God’s own heart’, suddenly finds his life crashing down because of his sin. We can learn from David’s prayer of repentance how we also might turn to God in prayer when we sin.
Prayer that Intercedes for God’s People: Moses
June 10, 2018 • Matt Erickson
The ongoing rebellion of God’s people after the Exodus appears to have worn God out. Judgment will come upon them for their disobedience, yet Moses intercedes with the Lord on behalf of His people. What can we learn about interceding for God’s people from Moses in Numbers 14:1-23?
Prayer that Pleads for the Lost: Abraham
June 3, 2018 • Matt Erickson
In one of the most vivid passages of the Old Testament we see God speaking with Abraham about the wicked towns of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham’s nephew, Lot, lives there with his family, but Abraham focuses on calling God to act justly. It almost seems like Abraham is bargaining with God. What is going on here and what might we learn about pleading with God in prayer on behalf of the lost?