24 HOUR PRAYER
The Mount is hosting a 24 hour prayer event lasting from 8am Friday 30th June to 8am Saturday 1st July 2023.
There is a prayer room upstairs in the church building that can be accessed from 8am until 4pm, and you can sign up for a slot there in church now.
If you choose your hour not at the prayer room you could use it in many different ways, maybe going for a prayer walk around your community, at home, at work or another place you feel is appropriate.
As an idea prepare for the hour just beforehand, collect a Bible, a pen and paper, any prayer resource you may wish to use, a hymn/song book, worship music and if you want a drink.
First sit quietly and allow those things that your mind wrestles with to be identified and either set aside (eg shopping list, what’s for tea etc.) or given to God (worries, fears etc) then open your resources and begin to pray.
Remember prayer takes many forms so you can draw a picture, write something down, create, knit, or make anything reflecting what you want to say or how you best listen to God.
You can write anything down you think or feel God is saying and if you feel it is appropriate share it on the social media given above. You can also pass your thoughts into a church leader or write them into the prayer room.
If you are praying in the night don’t feel guilty if you fall asleep!
It’s a brilliant opportunity to pray together and whilst there may only be your name on the rota at the set time normally a number of people will be praying during each hour so lets have fun and with expectation and excitement listen to what God wants to say to us.
Below is an idea of how to spend the hour using the Lord's Prayer as a framework, which you are free to use, or use the hour however you feel best!
Mike
Any questions please contact me at 07476701131
Pray the Lord’s Prayer.
This is simply a guide you can use as a framework allowing you to add anything that helps you recognise you are in the presence of God.
Please feel free to tag us in any posts relating to your hour of prayer:
www.facebook.com/themountsthelens
www.instagram.com/themountsthelens
Sit quietly, recognise the things on your mind and put them to one side or give them to God. When you are ready begin to pray …..
Our father in heaven, hallowed be your name ……..
Start with a time of worship, listen to a worship song or hymn (from You Tube) and/or Psalms (100 1-5 / 34 1-9 / 111 1-5 / 95 1-7 / 92 1-8)
Worship songs
Gratitude Brandon Lake https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDHCzm0mhuk
Who am I Hillsong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcC1Bp13n_4
Goodness of God Bethel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f4MUUMWMV4
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Replace ‘on earth’ with places of hardship and violence (Ukraine / Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Libya, Mali, Somalia, South Sudan, and Syria)
Prayer about Climate change for those areas of the world who suffer the most. For political change. Ask what can I do?
People you know who are ill; living with violence; lonely; in addiction; financial poverty, family, friends etc.
In your street, community, town, country.
In the church you attend and the things that happens there.
You.
Give us today our daily bread.
Provide the things needed for those people and places you are praying for.
Ask for the things you need and include gifts that God can and will give you. (Peace; patience; healing; resources; etc……)
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Spend some time silently listening to God, recognise your sin and ask God to forgive and change.
Then still in the silence think of anyone you need to forgive. (Understand forgiveness does not mean forget) Ask God for the strength to forgive in the way God has forgiven you.
Pray on behalf of others you know lost in the pain of carrying a burden of hurt that they can find the strength to move on with their lives free from the burden of anger or loss.
(Some useful thoughts on forgiveness - https://www.acts29.com/forgiveness-what-it-is-what-it-is-not/ )
Lead us not into temptation.
Temptation comes with the role of following Jesus. Ask to be released from all temptation but also for the strength to turn away from all that seeks to take you or people you know from God.
but deliver us from evil.
That God will protect you and those you love from evil.
Protect Gods church including the fellowship you attend.
Protection for the church leaders.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Any prayers so far left unsaid.
Now end again with worship using songs/psalms etc.