Friday - Pray Like This

Welcome to Daily Prayer. We're continuing our series on the Lord's Prayer called Pray Like This. This week, we're reflecting on the phrase, "Give us today our daily bread." Jesus teaches us not only to pray for God's name to be known, and his kingdom to come, and his will to be done, but he teaches us to pray daily for our daily needs to be met.

Today we see that gratitude, prayer, and peace go together.

As we begin our time together, let's quiet our hearts and minds before the Lord.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to your name, oh Most High; to declare your love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.

Today we declare: all glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

You are worthy of all of our love. Today we say, we love you and honor you.

A Scripture reading from Philippians 4:4–7:

"Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again, rejoice.

Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

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."

A time to rejoice in the Lord:

Lord, we rejoice in you.

We're thankful for your grace.

We rejoice that you're returning to make all things new.

You guard us, you keep us, you know what we need, and you provide.

We thank you for new mercy today and every day. We rejoice that you've included us in your story.

You've written our names in the book of life.

Lord, today we rejoice that you've shown us the path of peace.

Let's acknowledge our needs:

Lord, I acknowledge that I've been worried and concerned about many things, but have not brought them before you.

I know your Word tells me it would be so much better, I would feel so much better if I would just bring it to you, but I have not. Forgive me, Lord.

We have sought to control our lives and demanded that others shape their lives around us. Forgive us, Lord.

Let's ask God to help us:

Father, we need your help. We want your peace. Lord, we ask that you would help us to know what we need today.

Let's acknowledge the specific worries that are currently in our hearts and minds about our future, our health, our families. Whatever it is, let's ask God for help.

Father, would you provide us with what we need today and the power to live for your kingdom purposes?

We're going to listen to the passage again together. Holy Spirit, would you help us to hear what you want to say to us today?

"Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again, rejoice.

Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

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."

Lord, I bring all the areas of my life to you: all the anxieties and worries, all the fears, all the things that are out of my control, all the things I want to control. I give everyone and everything to you. I say yes to your will being done in me and through me. I ask you to come with your glory and bring us your peace.

Father, fill us with your love. Help us to love you, and to love and see others the way you do. Give us grace and courage to do what you say.

Let's close by praying the Lord's Prayer together:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.