The theme for this week’s prayers is – developing a Christ-like lifestyle; the prayers are written by Isaac Alawode. 

November 8 – Father, we thank You for Your word the Bible, it is our guide in this life. We thank You for sending Your son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross of Calvary. Through Jesus’ death, this was Your will and part of Your plan, a door has opened for the salvation of all who will believe in Him.

We pray for many in our nation to come to Christ and make Him their Saviour and Lord. We ask that our church, Telford Elim online and in person, will see many coming to Christ, becoming disciples who make disciples, worshipping, serving and fellowshipping in the Spirit’s power in our church.

Touch many hearts and lives, many people in and through our church and its ministries, so they will desire to live in a Christ-like way – living in Your will and purposes. In Jesus’ name. Amen

November 9 – We thank You, Lord Jesus for the example You set for us in Your word through the spiritual disciplines. As Luke 9:23 says, “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me,” Help us, Lord, in our daily lives both in the joys and struggles we face, to keep our eyes fixed on You, the One who overcame sin, the world, Satan and death.

We pray that we will desire and sacrifice that which we need to in order to be free from that which would hinder us – to put our trust completely in Christ and His will and purposes for our lives setting aside anything that is contrary to His will in our lives including our own dreams, desires and lusts – and day by day follow Jesus keeping Him and His honour in the forefront of our minds.

The Spiritual Disciplines: Meditation – Prayer – Fasting – Study – Simplicity – Solitude – Submission – Service – Confession – Worship – Guidance – Celebration – Bible Reading – Stewardship – Sacrifice – Obedience – Sabbath – Secrecy – Silence.

Lord, thank You that these are ancient ways of training ourselves, indirectly, in things which will, over time, change how we think, act and worship. Instead of hitting an issue we are facing, or struggling with, head on – the spiritual disciplines change us from the inside out.

So instead of focussing on trying to becoming more Christ-like – empower us by Your Spirit and word to practice the disciplines thus enabling us to become godly and Christ-like. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

November 10 – We praise Your holy name, Lord Jesus. You set an amazing example for us enduring the temptations in the wilderness as You fasted for 40 days – as detailed in Luke 4. Help us to remember this as we ourselves face our daily temptations, to rely on Your strength not trusting in our own understanding.

Open our eyes Lord so that we may not be deceived by all the world has to offer us. Remove the tunnel vision syndrome that can easily ensnare us to want instant gratification.

As we think about the spiritual disciplines, it is not enough to know about them, or to understand them – it is in the long term application of these principles that we become Christ-like.

The disciplines are an aid in the battle with temptation as they help us to live disciplined, Spirit-filled and word-shaped lives. Lord, bring those across our path who understand and apply them so that we can learn from them; and ultimately, so that others may be able to learn from us in how to practice them and become more Christ-like. Amen

November 11 – Father, on this Remembrance Day when we remember and give thanks for those who served our country, many killed or deeply traumatised by what they experienced in battle and in their service. We pray for all still struggling with their past, the things they have seen, experienced and done – we pray for forgiveness, healing and wholeness in Christ for each one. We pray for their loved ones, families and friends – grant wisdom, sensitivity and the comfort they need.

Help us, Lord Jesus, to forgive others as You have forgiven us. To also have the words of James 1:19 in our minds daily – ‘be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.’ In doing so we can show love to others not thinking of ourselves more highly than another as Romans 12:3 teaches us – ‘Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.’

Father, on this Remembrance Day – may Christ be exalted, and each of us humble ourselves under His mighty hand. In Jesus’ name. Amen

November 12 – We thank You, Almighty Father, for all that You give us to live and flourish in Christ. Help us to remember that it is all from You, and to be used to bless others not just for our own gratification nor greed.

We praise Your holy name, Jehovah Jireh , my provider, for You will supply all our needs according to Your riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

We pray for all who are in need in the communities around us – we pray that You will also meet all their physical, emotional, relationship, psychological, mental, temporal and spiritual needs in and through Christ. We pray that Your Church across Telford will be effective and fruitful in supporting, helping, directing and ministering to Telford and Wrekin. In Jesus’ name. Amen

November 13 – We proclaim Jeremiah 9:24 which says, ‘“but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD.’

Help us, Lord Jesus, to live lives that are pure, full of worship and service – living sacrifices laid down before You. As vessels who are kind, just and righteous in Christ – we pray that we will be directed, submitted and filled by Your Spirit. Lord as we know that You have good plans for us – even if at times these good plans require the fire and flood to produce their full effect – we trust in Your will and purposes, You are our good God.

Help us also in our homes, schools, workplaces and communities to be lights that will shine before men, women, young adults, young people and children so that they may see our good works and praise our Father who is in heaven – as You tell us in Matthew 5:15-16, ‘No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.’

We give all the glory to You, Lord Jesus – without You we can do nothing. Amen

November 14 – Heavenly Father, renew our spirits, souls and bodies. Lord, we pray that we will be focussed on Christ. By Your Spirit and word, and by our fellowship, worship, giving, service and commitment – sanctify or set us apart for Your will for our lives.

We honour You, Father God, and lift the name of Christ higher for He is our Alpha and Omega. You created us in Your image through the New Birth for us to serve Christ. Help us to have a constant conversation with You through our prayers so that we can completely give all areas of our lives to Christ – we thank You Lord that nothing is too difficult for You.

On the Remembrance Sunday – may Christ be exalted and brought to the fore in every church service which seeks to remember all the men and women who have served our nation in times of war, threat and the ongoing process of security and preparation for future threats. Draw many to Christ in salvation, submission and love. Amen