Unanswered prayer 

“Your will be done” 

1. Praise and Worship (5 mins)

Today we are thinking about unanswered prayer.  In the psalm we will reflect on later the writer speaks about the things he is struggling with before he reminds himself to put his hope in God.  Today bring the things that you are struggling with before God and lay them before him.  He longs to hear how you are really doing, He is big enough to cope with your hurts and sorrows.  As you finish remind yourself to put your hope in God despite these things. 

Suggested song: Praise you in this storm – Casting Crowns

2. Confession (5 mins)

Confess anything that comes to mind.  This will enable you to pray without anything coming between you and God. 

3. Praying Scripture (5 mins)

Take some time to read through the following scripture.  

Psalm 42: 1-5 

As the deer pants for streams of water, 
    so my soul pants for you, my God. 
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. 
    When can I go and meet with God? 
3 My tears have been my food 
    day and night, 
while people say to me all day long, 
    “Where is your God?” 
4 These things I remember 
    as I pour out my soul: 
how I used to go to the house of God 
    under the protection of the Mighty One[d] 
with shouts of joy and praise 
    among the festive throng. 

5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? 
    Why so disturbed within me? 
Put your hope in God, 
    for I will yet praise him, 
    my Saviour and my God. 

Read this Psalm at least twice. Are you struggling in particular areas at the moment?  Lay them before God and then remind yourself of all the ways he has met with you, and how also he has met your needs in the past.   

——— New to Prayer finishes here, everyone else keep going ———-

4. Waiting on the Lord (5 mins)

Take some time to still your thoughts and sit before the Lord in silence. Ask him to reveal to you anything that is coming between you and Him. 5 minutes might seem a long time but wait it out! 

5. Personal Intercession (5 mins)

Take 5 minutes to pray about something that has been a long-term prayer for you.  It could be about your health or that of others, it could be a situation you want God to change, it could be reconciliation with someone previously close to you, it could be anything!  If God has spoken to you about this in the past, pray about the promises He has already given you. 

6. Intercede for our church ministries (5 mins)

King’s Kids:

1. For year 6 (those aged 10-11) King’s Kids to encounter the Lord even more deeply before they leave Primary school in July.
2. For the Lord’s strength and joy to flood the King’s Kids’ homes.
3. For Ben, Caleb and Claire to hear the Lord clearly as they prepare King’s Kids in Your House this term. 

King’s Youth:

1. That out of these lockdowns comes a hunger for prayer, the Holy Spirit and God’s Word amongst our young people. 
2. That God saves our young people from existing mental health issues and protects them from future ones. 
3. That our youth grow in passion and fruitfulness in reaching others. 

——— Growing in Prayer finishes here, everyone else keep going ———-

 7. Intercede for our local area  (5 mins)

Pray for our local council and government as they try to manage this season well.  Pray that they would make wise decisions and that we would see COVID cases disappear in this area.  Pray for our Christian MP, Steve Baker, that he would be filled with the Holy Spirit, and experience God’s wisdom, protection and encouragement. 

8. Intercede for the nations  (5 mins)

Pray for Dan and Monica in the Arabian Gulf.  This is a hard place to minister that has yet to see major breakthrough.  However there is reason for hope as people there have more access to the gospel than ever before through the internet and television. Pray for Dan and Monica’s health, as well as wisdom in leading other teams in nations nearby.  Pray for good friends for them and God’s protection. 

9. Thanksgiving  (5 mins)

Remind yourself again of answered prayer you have seen in your life and thank Him for those. 

10. Listening  (5 mins)

Take some time today to listen to God about one of the areas we have been praying for today.  Ask him to speak to you and let us know if you feel he has specific words for the church, the town or nations. 

11. Praise (5 mins)

Remember to finish with praise.  Read again psalm 42 and use this as a platform to praise Him. 

12. Reflection  (5 mins)

Finish by writing down anything that God has spoken to you. Reflect on what he has said and ask if there is anything that you need to do in response.